Windows

A file extension is the string of characters that follows the period in a file name. For example, Finances.xlsx would indicate that the file is formatted in Excel 2007 or later. By default newer versions of Windows hide the extension of known file types. This isn’t a big deal for Excel Workbooks as the file icon is universally known. However, what happens when a file has a fairly generic or lesser-known icon? What happens when two file types possess very similar icons but provide different functions. For example, an OST versus a PST. Hard to guess which one is which by sight alone.

We wouldn’t want to accidentally manipulate the wrong file type. Deleting an OST cache file is no big deal. Accidentally deleting a PST can result in data loss. One possibility is right-clicking and checking the properties of the file. But if you are working with dozens of files it might be easier to display the file extensions in Windows Explorer.

To show file extensions in Windows 10 is a relatively straightforward task. The process is the same with Windows 8.

From Windows Explorer click View.

Select Options >> Change folder and search options.

Click View tab. Deselect Hide extensions for known file types. Click Ok.

You are all set!

To show hidden files in Windows 10 is a relatively straightforward task. The process is the same as Windows 8.

From Windows Explorer click View.

Select Options >> Change folder and search options.

Click the View tab. Select Show hidden files, folders and drives. Click Ok.

You are all set!

Do you typically show your hidden files? Drop a comment below or join the conversation on Twitter @SuperTekBoy.

I normally don’t write blog posts about hardware. But this particular problem seemed blog-worthy.

The issue was around my wife’s PC. Her PC is almost 5 years old–it still performs incredibly well. That is one of the benefits of building a custom PC.

Tip: When you build a custom PC it’s not about saving money but getting more bang for your buck. If I were to give a PC manufacturer $1000 versus what I could do with $1000 myself the difference would be night and day. You’d think an economy of scale would kick in somewhere, but it doesn’t. If you can build your own, I recommend it.

With her PC still running Windows 7, it was time for an upgrade. I knew I wanted to take her to Windows 8.1. I figured if I was going to do a full reload, why not upgrade to a solid-state drive at the same time. Kill two birds with one stone. So I did.

The Problem

Everything went well enough at first. The BIOS recognized the new drive. I threw in my Windows 8.1 DVD and the OS installed like a charm.

But then I started to encounter peculiar symptoms. The PC would randomly reboot every few hours.

I checked the Event Logs. Sadly, they were devoid of any real clues. Aside from the Unexpected Shutdown messages, there was nothing else that would lead me in the right direction.

I quickly found no dumps were being created either. This was not good.

I disabled the automatic restart and received the following error the next time it occurred.

CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED

Based on my research it seemed this error is fairly generic. To make matters worse the blue screen never got past 0%.

With the Windows 10 keynote announcing that Cortana will be coming to the PC, we thought it would be really awesome to figure out all the fun things you can ask her.

Many of these are well documented around the web. Although, we found a few ourselves. Such as asking Cortana the famous Monty Python line, “What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?” or “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. At least, we can’t find anyone else that has discovered those yet.

Some questions are funny. Some questions are geeky. And some, just outright creepy.

We didn’t want to show her responses. That’s for you to enjoy. Besides, who likes spoilers anyway? (Okay, just one then. Look up.)

Let us know if we missed any good ones. Our community recommended section is growing like crazy! We are up over 160 questions to ask Cortana now. Plus, which one is your favorite?

Found any good questions to ask Alexa? Let us know by dropping a comment on the sister blog post 131 funny, geeky and creepy questions to ask Alexa.

(Check out the credits at the bottom for a list of our sources.)

If you missed the Windows 10 keynote then you missed more than you can possibly imagine.

Going into the Microsoft event I expected the content to be solely focused on Windows 10 for the PC. But I was wrong. It was so much more than that!

Microsoft truly wowed us. My mind was completely blown. At a nuclear level.

My good friend Bill Macy and I were madly lighting up Lync Chat like two giddy children on Christmas morning. It was toys galore! (There may have geek hyperventilating as well).

But enough of that. Let’s discuss the highlights.

Open Development Process

Previously, when a new operating system shipped the mentality of many was to wait for at least one service pack level before mass adoption. The idea was that by the first service pack most bugs would be worked out.

In the first few minutes of the keynote, Terry Myerson discussed the new Insider Program. Microsoft describes the program as an “Open Development Process”. This process puts technical previews into the hands of the end-users. As a result, Microsoft already has 3 million installs of Windows 10 on devices. A network of 1.7 million participants. A system that has already produced 800,000 pieces of feedback.

Microsoft Engineers describe the Insider Program as “co-creating the future of Windows with you” and “making sure the product matches your expectations”.

Is this early adoption and massive feedback the answer? Will Windows 10 be rock solid right out of the gate?

I think so!

Free Upgrade

Yep! You got it.

Windows 10 will be a free upgrade.