Sorting out the revolution in PC backups: Part 2

Preserving Windows XP in a virtual PC

For XP users searching for ways to preserve their setups after XP’s impending “end of life,” using a virtual PC is an almost effortless solution.

Plus: More on resolving file-sharing errors, avoiding problems with paths in command lines, and easy ways to save webpages as PDFs.

How to preserve Windows XP in a virtual PC

While planning an upgrade to a more current Windows version, reader Ian Mawer is also exploring virtual PCs as a way to keep an XP setup handy.

• “With Windows XP set to reach end-of-life in April, how do you create a full, custom, setup disk — with all appropriate updates added — for use in a virtual machine?”

Using a virtual PC (VPC) is a great idea, Ian. It’s actually the simplest and easiest way I know to create and preserve a fully up-to-date XP setup.

Best of all, you don’t need a custom setup disk to do it!

Each VPC keeps the operating system, apps, and data on a virtual hard drive, which is really just a special type of disk-image file. Backing up and preserving a VPC is as simple as copying its virtual hard-drive file and saving it to a safe location.

The copy/save process gives you an exact, instant, nearly effortless, whole-system image backup of the current VPC setup, including all patches, all updates, all customizations, all installed software — everything!

Here’s how:

• Install the Virtual PC software of your choice on a PC running Vista, Windows 7, or Win8. I prefer Oracle’s VirtualBox (site); it’s free for personal use.
• Launch the VPC software and create a new XP virtual PC. No special tricks or settings are needed with VirtualBox; its default settings for XP are usually fine. And you can use your original XP setup disc to install XP in the completely standard way.
• Once the XP VPC is up and running, use XP’s Windows Update to bring it fully up to date. You can now customize XP and install whatever software you might want — or leave that for later.
• When the XP VPC is fully updated and configured to your liking, shut down XP and exit the VPC.
• Copy the XP VPC’s virtual hard-drive file to a safe location.

That’s all it takes! You’re done; your fully updated XP setup is now preserved!

Later, if you need to restore your XP VPC to like-new condition, simply copy the saved virtual hard-drive file from its archived location and paste it back into its original folder (overwriting the no-longer-wanted XP VPC file).

It’s easy to locate and copy any virtual PC’s current file. VPCs created by VirtualBox, for example, have a .vdi (virtual desktop infrastructure) file extension. VirtualBox typically places them in VirtualBox VMs folders and subfolders inside your standard Windows user folder. By default, the VPC virtual-disk file will typically have the name you gave the VPC when you created it. A VPC named simply XP, for example, would have the file name xp.vdi and would reside in the C:\Users\{your name}\VirtualBox VMs\xp\ folder.

Even if you don’t use VirtualBox’s defaults, it’s easy to determine the name and location of any VPC’s virtual-drive file. For example, to find the XP VPC:

• Open the VirtualBox main window.
• Select the VPC in question — e.g., your XP setup.
• Select Settings.
• In the Settings dialog box, click Storage.
• In the Storage Tree box, look for XP.vdi — typically under Controller: IDE.
• The Location line on the right side of the dialog box reveals the full name and path of the VPC’s file.

As Figure 1 shows, VirtualBox has placed my XP VPC in: C:UsersfredVirtualBox VMsxpxp.vdi.

Figure 1. VirtualBox makes it easy to find a VPC's virtual-drive name and location.

To preserve the XP setup shown in Figure 1, I’d simply copy the xp.vdi file to some other location — and then copy it back to C:\Users\fred\VirtualBox VMs\xp\ to restore it. Piece of cake!

This is by far the easiest method I know to preserve an XP setup, but there are others — some of them relatively ugly. For example, you could make an image of a current XP setup using the backup app of your choice. Then create a new XP VPC, install the same backup app, and then restore the image you made earlier. That might sound practical, but the VPC’s virtual hardware most likely uses different drivers. Windows might not run at all, or it’ll run poorly until the hardware drivers are sorted out.

It’s much simpler to just bite the bullet and set up a clean XP VPC. For more methods for preserving XP, see the Sept. 26, 2013, LangaList Plus item, “Can you preserve XP via ‘slipstream’?” and the WindowsSecrets Forum thread, “Slipstream Win XP Pro SP3.”

One final note: Although the above information covers the major technical issues of a XP VPC, there are also potential legal implications that come into play when moving XP (or any version of Windows) from its original PC. Some Windows setups are BIOS locked to a specific set of hardware; the software license for other setups might prohibit moving Windows to a new PC. Check your original software license for info and, at the very least, copy down your XP product key before you begin. Don’t wipe out your current XP installation until you know the new VPC setup is installed, activated, and working properly.

More issues with file-sharing permissions

Louis Schenfeld hit a snag when trying to sort out network-access and file-sharing issues.

• “Your recent ‘Fixes for network access and sharing issues’ article [Jan. 16 LangaList Plus] was very timely for me.

“I have four Windows 7 computers on my network, and one has been entirely and obstinately antisocial for some time. I tried the two fixes you mentioned plus updating my LAN device software — but to no avail.

“Although my D: drive is set to full permissions for everyone, it still wouldn’t share.

“I solved the problem by setting an additional — and apparently necessary — option for permissions. I clicked the drive, then Properties/Sharing/Advanced Sharing/Permissions. Next, for Everyone, I reselected Full Control. I can now share normally.”

Thanks, Louis.

I suspect you ran afoul of the fact that Windows file and folder sharing over a network involves two separate sets of permissions — Sharing and Security. And yes, they can work against each other.

You can check this yourself. Pick any folder, right-click it, and open Properties. Now click the Security tab and click Edit. You’ll see a set of permission settings. Note what’s selected. Close that dialog box and select the Sharing tab.

In Sharing, click Advanced sharing/Permissions — and you’ll see a whole new set of permissions! (This is the set you refer to in your note, Louis.)

In short: For network shares to work, both sets of Permissions — Sharing and Security — have to be in agreement.

Path problems on a command line

Sheri wanted to create a customized recovery image for Win8, as described in the Oct. 10, 2013, Top Story. But she encountered trouble when trying to enter a folder’s full path into a Windows command line.

• “There was an error in Fred Langa’s ‘Creating customized recovery images for Win8.’ He is correct that the command for creating a custom refresh image on C: is recimg /createimage C:\RefreshImage.

  “But the instructions for setting the current image using the command — recimg /setcurrent {folder} — don’t work. Replacing {folder} with the path/folder name where the image is stored is incorrect.

  “Fortunately, I found the correct syntax on another website; it’s recimg /setcurrent ‘Full Path of Directory’.

  “You must include the quotation marks!”

Well, yes and no.

The quotation marks you refer to are a Windows command line convention going back to at least Win95. When a path in any command line contains spaces, you need to enclose the path in quotation marks so Windows won’t interpret the space as the end of a command.

If the path doesn’t contain spaces, you don’t need the quotation marks.

The example I used — C:RefreshImage — has no spaces; thus it’s fine, as is, with no quotation marks.

A path such as C:\store my images here\RefreshImage has spaces and so needs quotation marks.

You can use either single or double quotation marks — they work the same. So, you could enter that same path as:

‘C:\store my images here\RefreshImage’

or

“C:\store my images here\RefreshImage”

Some users create folder names with underscores instead of spaces. This is another legitimate way of avoiding the potential confusion caused by spaces — and it also eliminates the need for quotation marks.

For example, if you created a folder called store_my_images_here, you could enter the path this way:

C:store_my_images_hereRefreshImage

It would work fine without quotation marks because there are no spaces.

Again, the rules to remember: Command-line paths that contain spaces must be enclosed in quotation marks. Paths without spaces are fine without quotation marks.

Note that those rules are not limited to the recimage command — they apply to any command-line activity.

Hope that clears things up!

Seeks easy way to save webpages as PDFs

Michael Eth wants to build a locally searchable archive of webpages.

• “I’m looking for a way to download WindowsSecrets issues as .pdfs so I can build a locally searchable archive. I want to do this in case I need some older information and am unable to get online.”

There are many tools to do exactly what you want, Michael — most of them are free!

For example, the Pdfcrowd site uses an open-source HTML layout engine to correctly save webpages that are openly displayed — that is, pages that aren’t behind paywalls (such as the paid content of Windows Secrets) or that otherwise require signing in to view the content. When you want to save that type of open page, simply enter the page’s URL; Pdfcrowd quickly generates a free, basic, .pdf version of the page that you can save locally.

If you use Chrome, it’s even easier. The Chrome webstore offers a free “Save as PDF” extension (download page) that uses the same Pdfcrowd engine. With a single click, you can generate local copies.

Webpages behind sign-ins or with other complications will probably require a little more footwork. Some applications, such as Nitro Reader/PDF Creator (free/paid; site), set themselves up as PDF printer drivers. When you’re on a page you want to preserve, you select the PDF software (e.g., Nitro PDF Creator) as the printer and “print” the page to a file. You can save the file in any location you wish.

Similar free online sites include Web2PDF, PFDmyURL, and others — too many to list here!

For a more complete list of available options, run a Web search using the phrase save web page as pdf. I bet you’ll be surprised at how many options you’ll find!

Sorting out the revolution in PC backups: Part 2

In Part 1 of this two-part series, I gave an overview of the five major types of backup technologies available today for Windows PCs.

This week, Part 2 shows the enormous speed differences in backup methods; it also includes some real-life scenarios to help you pick the best method for your needs.

Beyond the theories: Backups in real-life

As discussed in Part 1, today’s primary backup options include a second internal drive; optical discs (DVDs/CDs); USB-connected external drives; a standalone, network-attached drive or another PC; and cloud-based data-storage services.

Each of those backup types offers its own mix of cost, security, and ease of use. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, I suggest taking a moment to go through it — it’ll put each backup type into context, and it might help you better understand the terminology and concepts discussed in this article.

For the five backup types listed above, the most important usability factor is speed. Depending on the size of the data set and the method used, a single back-up (or restore) session can take seconds or days. Obviously, speed is a significant component of your backup-method choice. So this Part 2 of the series includes a Windows Secrets exclusive: real-world timing tests that show how long it takes to back up file sets of different sizes — from a modest 10MB to a hefty 300GB.

Part 2 also includes a closer look at backup usability and applicability to help you make a fully informed decision about your backup options.

Factors affecting backup speeds and times

Some of the elements of backup speeds are obvious. For example, backing up to an internal drive is clearly going to be faster than backing up to a cloud service via the Internet. Other backup speed factors, such as the innate speed of your PC and its subsystems, are less obvious.

There are also some subtle aspects. For example, backup times will vary depending on whether the source and destination drives are defragged. The amount of background activity, the effects of file caching and compression, whether files are processed serially or in parallel, the proximity of a cloud-storage service’s data centers, and so forth can further impact backup speed.

Given all those factors taken together, your backup speeds won’t match mine. In fact, your own backup times will vary from day to day. Local factors always win.

While the times posted below have little absolute value, they serve as a perfectly good reference for the relative speeds offered by the different backup types — and these relative differences should hold fairly true across different PC/network/Internet configurations.

Setting up real-world backup-speed tests

To get a solid handle on relative backup speeds, I ran a series of 14 timing tests, using my daily-use systems.

For the first seven tests, I simulated a small backup. For each test, I timed how long it took to back up a single 10MB test file to the following:

• A freshly defragged, conventional, secondary internal drive;
• 16x DVD burner and an empty DVD disc, using the standard live file system (info) format;
• Defragged USB 3.0 conventional external drive;
• Defragged networked drive on a second PC, connected by 802.11g Wi-Fi;
• Defragged networked drive on a second PC, connected by 100Mbs Ethernet;
• Two cloud-storage services — Google Drive and Microsoft’s OneDrive/SkyDrive — accessed via a standard cable Internet connection (Comcast in Boston, Massachusetts).

I then simulated a 1GB backup made up of separate 10MB files, repeating the backup destinations and conditions I used for the 10MB tests.

Finally, as a convenience to readers, I extrapolated those initial 14 tests to post the time it might take to back up 15GB (the approximate size of a small Windows 7 or 8 setup — or a modest disk image) and 300GB (the size of a large Windows system replete with numerous documents, music files, and/or digital images).

A brief technical aside (Skip this paragraph and the next if you don’t want the details.) To reduce the possibility of human error, the timing tests were run via automated scripts, with start and stop times recorded by software. To homogenize the file sets (i.e., to minimize any bias toward a specific file type), I used a random-character generator to create a standardized 10MB data file containing 10,000 strings of 1,000 characters each.

The 10MB file’s random characters also helped minimize any data-compression bias potentially introduced by the different backup types. For the 1GB test, I used multiple copies of the base 10MB file. I gave each copy a unique name to defeat any local file caching that might skew the results.

To further ensure the real-life quality of these tests, the PCs had configurations that were typical of daily-use systems, and they were run with minimal — but normal — background activity. For example, I kept my antivirus apps (Microsoft Security Essentials and MalwareBytes Pro) active during the tests, so the files were scanned as they passed to and from my systems — just as they would in a real backup.

Quantum differences between the backup options

Table 1 shows the results of the timed 10MB and 1GB backup tests using different destinations — plus the extrapolated times for 15GB and 300GB backups.

To use the table, estimate the likely size(s) of your backup sets. (As one example, use Windows/File Explorer to see how large your Documents folder is.) Find the table’s column with a heading closest to the size of your likely backup, and then read down to see the relative backup times for file sets of that approximate size.

Table 1. Real-life backup times for differently sized file sets and destinations

At a glance, it’s apparent that large, whole-system data sets will be problematic with cloud-based services. You might be able to live with their 60+ hours to complete a full backup, but two-plus days to restore a system with a few hundred gigabytes of data is probably unacceptable.

On the other hand, backup speeds to internal hard drives, external USB drives, and networked drives are close enough that relative speed is not much of an issue.

Backing up to DVDs has two problems: the time to burn the disc and the time and inconvenience of swapping media for any backup that requires multiple discs.

Weighing all the factors, calling the shot

While backup speed is important, you need to weigh other factors to choose the best backup option or options for yourself. Along with speed, there are the pros and cons discussed in Part 1. And you need to consider the types of files you regularly back up.

These options quickly become clearer once you start applying real-life scenarios.

To start, I’ll use myself as an example. Here’s how I settled on the several backup options I use.

I make my living online, so my backup needs are admittedly more extreme than most people’s. But this will show how the various backup techniques apply to different needs.

Take cloud storage, for example. Both Google Drive and Microsoft’s OneDrive/SkyDrive would take between two and three full days to back up or restore my complete 300GB Windows setup. To my mind, that’s a ridiculous amount of time. For my needs, cloud services are impractical for full-system backups.

But as noted in Part 1, cloud backups are an excellent form of offsite storage that can be further secured with third-party apps that create virtually hack-proof encryption. In other words, cloud storage offers an extremely high degree of both physical and anti-snooping security. That makes them great for long-term storage of extremely important documents and files — ones that you simply can’t afford to lose.

For instance, I store copies of sensitive files such as my tax and health records in the cloud. These are files I need to store safely for at least several years — and sometimes more or less permanently. Putting them in the cloud means that, no matter what happens to my PC or my local copies of the files, the cloud-based copies will still be available. The files are generally small, so backup and restore times aren’t an issue.

Cloud services offer their own built-in security measures, but for sensitive materials, I add one — and sometimes two — extra levels of third-party encryption. I pre-encrypt the files with tools such as Boxcryptor (free and paid; site) as a second layer of defense. (See the Dec. 12, 2013, Top Story, “Pre-encryption makes cloud-based storage safer.”)

For my most sensitive files, I’ll add a third layer of defense by encrypting the files with a tool such as 7-Zip (free; site) — before they’re encrypted again by Boxcryptor. With three separate layers of security and encryption, these cloud-stored files are essentially uncrackable by hackers or other parties.

I also use cloud storage for copies of my processed photos and videos — again, files that I access infrequently. I keep the raw, full-resolution originals on a fast, local drive, where editing is quick and easy and space isn’t an issue. (My local system also has full-strength, image-editing tools instead of the typically limited tools offered by cloud-based photo-storage services.)

Again, the finished, edited photos go into the cloud — where they’ll be preserved, no matter what happens to my local systems. I don’t use extra security on my cloud-stored photos because there’s nothing unusually sensitive about them (how dull, I know), and because I usually want others to see them. Cloud storage makes photo sharing easy; I just send or post the URL of the photos I want to share.

As for regular, whole-system backups — the ones that would take an unacceptably long time via cloud storage — I use a fast, local medium. Once a month or so, I make an image backup using an inexpensive, external, USB drive. (See the Jan. 16 Top Story, “Keep a healthy PC: A routine-maintenance guide.”) I then disconnect that drive and store it locally in a safe place. This protects the backups from anything that might compromise my primary drive — such as malware, mechanical or electrical malfunction, fire, etc.

In between full backups, I keep a second, inexpensive USB drive connected to my PC at all times, and I let Windows 8’s File History make continuous, near–real time backups. (See the July 11, 2013, Top Story, “Understanding Windows 8’s File History.”)

I also have a spare PC that I keep on hand and ready to go — a sort of data lifeboat I can call into immediate service if my main PC goes down for any reason. I keep that spare PC up to date and in sync with my main PC by copying files via my local network. For routine synching, I’ll use Wi-Fi because it’s easy and convenient. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll dig out an Ethernet cable and connect the PCs that way. I sync my files with KarenWare’s Replicator (site), but there are others — such as Microsoft’s SyncToy 2.1 (site) and SourceForge’s FreeFileSync (site).

I rarely, if ever, use optical media for backups. As Part 1 discusses, DVDs and CDs are slow, bulky, and expensive for handling large amounts of data. That said, they’re still good for creating bootable repair or rescue discs. See, for example, the April 11, 2013, Top Story, “A dozen tools for removing almost any malware.”

It’s now your turn to choose the backup option

To find the best type of backup for yourself, read Part 1 if you haven’t done so already. Familiarize (or refamiliarize) yourself with the available options.

Next, look at the timing information presented above, and apply that information to the anticipated size of your backup file sets.

Finally, think about the kinds of files you need to back up. Find the option — or like me, the options — that will give you the best mix of speed, security, and convenience for your needs.

As illustrated by my real-life, personal examples, if you have large numbers of different kinds of files, you’ll probably end up with more than one backup method — some in the cloud (with or without extra encryption), some on a secondary drive, others on a spare PC, and so on.

Be flexible: mix and match backup types as you see fit. But most important, maintain your well-honed backup habits over the coming months and years. With five major backup types to choose from, you can easily achieve that long-sought Holy Grail of backups: a virtual guarantee that you’ll never again lose important files or other data!

Who can suspend your email account?

Your ISP can suspend your email service, Lounge member deanvet has learned, for sending too much mail.

He knew that from previous suspensions by his ISP, but the most recent incident confused him. As he explained in the Non-Outlook Email forum, his ISP agreed to restore his service but then told him his software and Microsoft prevented the return of his Send function. His fellow Loungers analyzed the situation and suggested a different reason for the interruption of service.

The following links are this week’s most interesting Lounge threads, including several new questions for which you might have answers:

Office Applications
General Productivity	Office 365 subscription and SkyDrive capacity
Word Processing	Inserting multipage PDFs via mail merge?
Spreadsheets	Excel quadratic function calculator
Databases	Checking whether control is empty
Presentation Apps	Playing two videos at the same time
Visual Basic for Apps	Delete all “normal” text in a table cell without deleting bold or [] text?
Microsoft Outlook	No Sent folder in IMAP
Non-Outlook E-mail	Outlook Express Send function suspended
Other MS Apps	Creating subsections in OneNote
Windows
General Windows	Don’t click red X!
Windows 8	Fresh-install Win 8.1 on SSD; use full 3TB HDD?
Windows 7	Programs slow to start after booting to desktop
Windows Vista	Accessing Vista Start menu folder
Windows XP	The end of Microsoft support for XP
Windows Servers	Questions about setting up new network
Internet/Connectivity
Internet Explorer	Internet Explorer won’t start on Win7 desktop
Third-Party Browsers	Recommend alternate browser?
Application Servers	How to open WinMail .dat file on email attachment
Networking	Virus infects some Linksys routers
Social Media	Website wants to run browser add-on
Other Technologies
Security & Scams	MS Windows “survey” scam?
Maintenance	CCleaner list of Registry problems
Hardware	1TB hard drive not seen by computer
Graphics/Multimedia	Naming scanned photos
Other Applications	Recommended software for copying DVD or CD?

starred posts: particularly useful

If you’re not already a Lounge member, use the quick registration form to sign up for free. The ability to post comments and take advantage of other Lounge features is available only to registered members.

If you’re already registered, you can jump right in to today’s discussions in the Lounge.

Invitation to leaping in a stream: Elk version

When was the last time you jumped into wet and muddy happiness and made a big splash? And then did it again? And again? Maybe this young elk will remind you of an irrepressible minute or so in your own life. Even if the entire joyful event is 47 seconds long, it’s really fun to play it — and play it again. Click below or go to the original YouTube video.

Time to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 for Win7?

The browser many — if not most — Windows users love to hate might just be getting … less hate-able?

Internet Explorer for Windows 7 promises a faster and more secure browsing experience. We’ve heard that before, but this time it might be true.

The sure sign of an experienced buyer is a healthy level of skepticism for marketing spin. That’s certainly true for most long-time Windows users. When offered a major new software upgrade, we’re more likely to ask ourselves, “Do I really need that upgrade? What will it give me that I don’t already have?” Sometimes that wait-and-see approach saves us major headaches. And sometimes, when we go ahead and install the latest upgrade, we learn lessons from the headaches that ensue.

My experience with Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 is a case in point.

For Windows 8.1 users, IE 11 adds in new touch enhancements and gestures, better graphics, a beautiful new Reading View mode, and the ability to take advantage of sophisticated interactive features on slick, high-octane websites.

On Windows 7 SP1 systems, IE 11 is, umm, faster?

Working through an IE 11 install failure

On my Windows 7 Netbook, I have Internet Explorer set to download updates automatically. So, not long after Version 11 became available, Microsoft installed it for me. Within days, the browser became unusable: pages wouldn’t load fully, links weren’t clickable, buttons wouldn’t respond, and so forth. After searching in vain for a quick fix (on a different computer), I gave up on IE 11 and used Firefox for my daily browsing on the Web.

I was surprised to have such a terrible experience with IE 11. The pundits were declaring IE 11 the faster, better, smarter browser we’d been waiting for. Microsoft even tried to capitalize on its substandard browser reputation by putting up a website and video (no doubt intended to go viral) about “the browser you love to hate.” (It’s not obvious that it’s a Microsoft site.) That might have been a great strategy, had IE 11 not stumbled right out of the gate.

Online forums quickly filled with Internet Explorer 11 problems. Like me, other Windows 7 users were encountering major frustrations. For example, Skype wouldn’t work with the browser upgrade, Adobe Flash Player rebelled, and pages looked like garbled code or wouldn’t load at all. Windows 8/8.1 users were experiencing similar horrors: the browser would freeze, videos wouldn’t play, and the blue screen of death (yes, it still exists) reared its ugly head.

But Microsoft has a knack for holding steady in a storm of bad press. After a maddening period in which nothing about the IE 11 issues seemed to be confirmed or discussed, Microsoft quietly began making changes.

This past December, Microsoft released a patch for Windows 8/8.1 that remedied the major compatibility problems. Then, on Feb. 11, another patch — KB 2909921 (MS14-010) — was released that seems to have fixed many of the problems with IE 11 for Windows 7 — at least it has for IE 11 installed on my Win7 Netbook. (KB 2909921 is classified a security update, but it also contains a bunch of nonsecurity fixes.)

Will IE 11 be stable when we need it?

So three months after its dismal release, Internet Explorer 11 appears to be becoming more reliable. And just in time, too, it would appear. A Feb. 14 Computerworld story reported that newly revealed and unpatched vulnerabilities in IE 9 and IE 10 have put one-third of those browsers’ users at risk of infection.

There were initial reports of targeted attacks on systems with IE 10 installed; Microsoft then confirmed that IE 9 users are (for now) also vulnerable. A Chicago Tribune article quoted Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group general manager Adrienne Hall: “We recommend customers upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 for added protection.”

UPDATE: Microsoft has just posted Support advisory KB 2934088, which provides more information on the IE 9 and 10 vulnerability and a fixit.

That left Internet Explorer 9 and 10 users in a quandary. Should we stick with a vulnerable browser and hope that a patch is released soon? Or do we upgrade to a browser that might not work properly? My sense is that Microsoft is rapidly addressing the issues in IE 11, and the worst of the browser’s problems are behind us. A more secure browser is generally the better option.

If that’s not enough for you, I suggest keeping a copy of Firefox or Google Chrome handy.

What’s needed to install — and maintain — IE 11

As with IE 10, Version 11 won’t run on Windows XP or Vista. On Win7 systems, you must have Service Pack 1 installed. Microsoft also recommends that PCs have at least a 1GHz processor and 70 MB (for 32-bit systems) to 120 MB (64-bit systems) of free hard-disk space.

Automatic browser updating is generally standard practice now. Chrome is updated silently, and Firefox often lets you know after the fact. Setting up auto-updating in IE 11 is quick: simply click the Tools icon and select About Internet Explorer. The window that pops up (shown in Figure 1) tells you which IE version is installed and includes the check box “Install new versions automatically.” There’s also a link to more information about the most recent IE update.

Figure 1. The About Internet Explorer window lets you check the current IE version and choose whether to have updates automatically installed (circled in yellow).

If you don’t want to wait around for IE to update itself, or if you have auto-updating turned off, you can download the most current version from Microsoft’s IE page. Once the download-and-install process starts, just follow the on-screen prompts.

Note: The Free download button might set Bing and MSN as defaults with IE 11. If you’d rather bypass those “options,” look for the small Download non-enhanced version link below the Free download button. On some IE 11 pages, it works the opposite way; there’s a check box: I would also like Bing and MSN defaults.

Figure 2. The IE 11 download process might offer Bing and MSN enhancements by default. If you don't want either, look for the Download non-enhanced version link (highlighted in yellow).

(With Windows 8 and 8.1, Internet Explorer 11 is effectively part of the operating system. When you install or upgrade either OS, IE 11 is automatically installed by default.)

Up-to-date browsers are key to Internet security. If upgrading to Internet Explorer 11 merely gave you new bells and whistles, it would be an easy decision to simply skip it. But browser security has been and probably always will be an important part of staying safe on the Internet. Generally, new technology makes each new release of a browser more secure than its predecessor. IE 10 is safer than IE 9, and IE 11 is undoubtedly more secure than IE 10. Now that IE 11 has been out for a few months, its darkest days are probably behind us.

Keep in mind that Windows 7 users can uninstall IE 11. But to do so, you’ll have to go to Control Panel/Programs and Features/View installed updates. (Win8/8.1 users can’t uninstall IE, but they can disable it.)

Do you have experiences with IE 11 you’d like to share? Click the Windows Secrets Lounge link below and join the conversation!