Dr. Bill | The Computer Curmudgeon
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Once you upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99, you can then get the Windows Media Center update free until January 31st. Just go to this site: https://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs
Sign up for it and follow the email instructions!
So… will you do it? Reckon I will.
Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99
“We set out to make it as easy as possible for everyone to upgrade to Windows 8. Starting at general availability, if your PC is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 you will qualify to download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $39.99 in 131 markets. And if you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the ‘add features’ option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade.
When you use Windows.com to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant makes upgrading simple by walking you through the upgrade process step-by-step from purchase to download and then of course installation.
The Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will check to make sure your PC is ready for Windows 8. It will provide a detailed compatibility report that lets you know of anything you may have to address before or after the upgrade and outlines actions to take.
It will also inform you of any application or device compatibility issues. It will ask you what you want to keep from your current Windows installation. You will be able to upgrade from any consumer edition of Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and bring everything along which includes your Windows settings, personal files, and apps. If you are upgrading from Windows Vista, you will be able to bring along your Windows settings and personal files, and if you are upgrading from Windows XP you will only be able to bring along your personal files. Of course, if you want to start fresh, you can choose to bring nothing along. Or if you prefer to format your hard drive as part of your upgrade experience, you can do so as long as you boot from media and then format your hard drive from within the setup experience for installing Windows 8, not prior to it.
Once you purchase your upgrade, the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant kicks off your download. It has a built-in download manager that allows you to pause and continue your download at any time as well as a check to ensure your download completes successfully.
After your download finishes, you can choose to proceed with the upgrade (‘Install now’) or install later either from your desktop or by creating your own media. If you choose to create your own media, you will be able to create your own bootable USB or .ISO file which can be burned onto a DVD for upgrade and backup purposes. If you prefer, you also have the option of purchasing a backup DVD for $15 plus shipping and handling.”
This is a awesome tool from Ahsisoft! The FREE version is cool, the Pro version adds features, such as the ability to export results as a spreadsheet or HTML document. The Pro version has other neat features as well, but you may not need them for simply finding dupes on your drive and cleaning up. Try the free version, and if you need “more power” you can get the Pro Version… which is what I did!
Ashisoft Free Duplicate File Finder
Use Free Duplicate File Finder & Remove Duplicate Files
“You may not realize how many duplicate files you have after downloaded many files from the Internet or duplicate files scattered over your home or corporate network. Duplicate files are usually waste and unnecessary keeping them is merely a waste of valuable hard disk space. Your hard drives may be full of ducuments, iTunes, iPod, MP3, Photos, and Video and many of them are redundant.
Duplicate File Finder, is a FREE tool designed to find and delete duplicate files over home and corporate network while no software installed on other computer. Fast byte-to-byte and CRC32 comparison gives you the most accurate results and duplicate file finder searches duplicate file contents regardless of filename. A list of find duplicate files can be sorted, exported, and acted upon. A search session including results can be saved. Duplicate files can be remove, moved, or copied.
Why is finding duplicate files useful?
Deleting duplicates will help to speed up indexing and reduces back up time and size. Your computer isn’t fully optimized until you’ve removed all unnecessary clone files. Let Clone Remover find and remove the duplicates! Regain valuable disk space and improve data quality.
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