This & That

We have news about an important security patch for Windows, and some suggestions for programs you might like. Control what starts with Windows, spell check your email without Microsoft Office, and learn about SeaMonkey.

Important Windows Patch
Microsoft issued a patch this week to correct a serious security flaw in Windows. If you have your computer set up to collect and install Windows Updates automatically, you'll find it in this week's updates. If you update your computer manually, you can grab the update here.

See What's Starting...and Stop It!
Many people don't have any idea how many programs start up along with Windows. Even if you use MSConfig to see what's starting, it can be difficult to know exactly what those programs are, and whether they should be allowed to start themselves or not.

Some programs have to load when Windows starts in order for your computer to work. Other programs like anti-virus software and firewalls should be permitted to load on their own. But do you really need Messenger to load every time you turn on your computer? Or QuickTime? Or the thing that reminds you to buy more ink for your HP printer because you might be running low? Some programs are just annoying. Some are dangerous. When you have a big whack of programs starting up with Windows, everything slows down.

Programs like Autoruns and What's Running are good ways to see what programs are starting, and stop the unwanted/unnecessary ones. Recently I found Startup Inspector and Startup Monitor. These programs work together to help you understand what programs are starting and manage them, and to alert you every time a program tries to sneak into your startup routine. Both are available here

Spell Check your Email Without Microsoft Office
Outlook Express doesn not contain a spell checker unless you are using a Microsoft Office product like Word...or unless you install another spell checker. Here are two free ones: Spell Checker for OE is just that. FreeSpell says it will spell check in any Windows program, not just OE.

Another Reader Recommendation
Thank you to everyone who writes with recommendations for cool and/or useful programs. I'll keep passing them along. Gloria in Peachland likes SeaMonkey, an integrated browser and email program. SeaMonkey is available here.

Please email your comments/suggestions/questions.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.