Changing The File Format In Microsoft Office Applications

Microsoft has always revived its products and services from time to time, and thus, provided users with a product line that is always updated with advanced tools and functions. Microsoft Office suite is such a productivity applications package that has been updated regularly. The recent versions of Microsoft Office however, employ a different file format that is incompatible with the previous versions.

Millions of individual users, businesses, and educational institutions use Microsoft Office applications on a daily basis, and heavily rely on the programs in the Office suite like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook for their routine work. Numerous of these users are still on the traditional versions of Microsoft Office and thus, a change in the file formats may lead to complications in accessing files and working with the programs.

Where older versions of Microsoft Office use .doc format for Word, .ppt for PowerPoint, and .xls for Excel, the latest Office programs save the files in .docx, .pptx, and .xlsx formats respectively. This restricts a user on an old Office program to open or edit a file in the new format. However, the users with the latest Office versions can view, open, or edit the files in the older format without any hitches.

To deal with the issues faced by traditional applications users, Microsoft offers a compatibility tool for Office 2003, which can be downloaded from Microsoft’s official website. This utility allows users to view and edit the files in the newer format. Yet again, this tool may not be much of a helpful option when it comes to sharing the files in the new format with others over the internet. Thus, it is advised to change the file format to the older state, which is compatible with every Office version.

Below given are the steps provided by Microsoft Office help line to adjust the program settings and save the files in the traditional format automatically. Here we will discuss about how to save files in older format in Microsoft Word application. The same steps can be used for altering the settings in PowerPoint and Excel as well.

Instructions

• Open Microsoft Office Word application and click on the Office button.
• Select Word Options from the resulting menu and move on the Save tab in the consequent window.
• Opt for Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc) from the drop-down menu for Save files in this format, and click OK.

When you are done with the above steps, the Word files in your computer will be saved in the .doc format automatically, and will be compatible with earlier versions.  If you have any doubts regarding the steps mentioned above, contact Microsoft Office help line for assistance.

Troubleshooting Email Accounts In Outlook 2007

In Microsoft Outlook, if you have multiple accounts, it is no big deal as the different accounts can be easily handled by Outlook. Sometimes, Outlook problems can crop up like issues with your email account and this can cause a lot of nuisance for the users. You may not be able to view your email account and this can be due to the internet settings or some other problems. By following the below provided guidelines, you can easily solve the problem with the email account.

Restarting Your System

Sometimes, a small error or some other hiccup can be the cause of the problem and the best and easiest way to solve such kind of an issue is to restart your Outlook program. After you restart Outlook, you may see that your Outlook program turns out to be working fine.

Create A New Email Profile

If you are not able to see your email account, creating a new profile is the best viable option. In order to do this, in the taskbar, the Start button can be found and you need to click it. From the Start menu, choose Control Panel. Now the Control Panel window will appear on screen and you need to choose User Accounts and then click on Mail. In the Mail dialog box at the bottom right side, the Show Profiles option will be present. Click on it and choose the Add option. Enter a suitable name like Outlook 2007 and click the Ok button.

Account Reconfiguration

After the Ok button is clicked, Outlook will launch automatically. Sometimes, your email account details will appear or you will be asked to input it. You have to first enter your name and email account details. The other different details like account types, mail servers, port numbers etc have to be entered which you can get from your ISP.

Fixing Outlook 2007

In order to fix Outlook 2007, the Help menu has to be clicked and Office Diagnostics has to be chosen from there. Outlook will be scanned for errors now. If no errors are found, the scanning process will stop and if errors are encountered, you will be asked to take counter measures.
By following the above-mentioned guidelines, you can easily solve Outlook problems like being not able to view your email account. If you have any doubts in following the guidelines, you may contact our customer support center.

Easy Guidelines On Setting Up Microsoft Outlook Express Application

Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook are often mistaken with each other. Where Microsoft Outlook is personal information manager that comes with Microsoft Office suite, Outlook Express is an email cum news application that is part of Internet Explorer. Users can download Outlook Express for free and use it to send and receive emails.
Here is how you can setup Outlook Express application in your computer. Alternatively, you can contact Outlook Express help section for any of your technical queries.

Instructions

• Download and install Outlook Express on your computer, and launch the application.
• When you launch the application for the first time, it will display a link stating Set up a Mail account.
• Click the link in order to initiate Internet Connection Wizard.
• If the link is not displayed, open Internet Connection Wizard directly by navigating to the Tools menu and then clicking on the Accounts option.
• Select the button title Add followed by Mail.
• Click the option that says Create a new Internet mail account and select Next to continue.
• Choose a name that you want others to see when they receive your emails and type it in the specified field. Select Next to continue.
• Provide your E-mail service provider details in the following field and choose POP3 from the dropdown menu that appears.
• Gather incoming and outgoing mail server details from your email service provider and enter them in the respective fields. After you have provided all these details, click on the Next button to proceed.
• In the next section, you will have to enter the login credentials of your email account. Make sure that you enter the full email address in the Username field and the password of the email account in the Password box.
• Make sure that the SPA checkbox is left unchecked and select the Next button to proceed.
• Locate and select the tab labelled Servers. You will find it in the Properties section. Ensure that the checkbox that says My server requires authentication is selected.
• Select the Settings button located on the right side of the checkbox, select the button titled Log on using, and enter the authentication information provided to you by your ISP. Press OK and you are done.

You have successfully setup Outlook Express in your computer to send and receive emails. Click the icon titled Send/Receive to synchronize the application with the configured email account. If you have any further concerns, feel free to contact Outlook Express help center.

Microsoft Updates Bing Apps In Windows 8.1

Microsoft has detailed on two new Bing apps that will be included with the Windows 8.1 version. These updates are Food & Drink and Health & Fitness. They have also done some good improvements to the apps that were introduced in the Windows 8 OS like News, Weather, Finance, Sports and Travel. It is for sure that these updates will make those customers who have done the Windows 8 transfer really happy. Some of these updates and changes are explained below.

Offline news facility
The News app in Bing now supports an optional offline mode. This can be accessed from Settings and then Options. Selecting this will help you read offline news.

Customizable news
The new application also gives you options to customize the features so that you can keep yourself up-to-date on specific categories, story topics and news sources.

New tile size 
All the new Bing apps support the largest tile sizes. This helps you to stay up to date from the Start screen. The News app tile provides the latest news headlines and the Finance app tile gives the updates on stock prices.

New Food & Drink app
The latest Food & Drink app has a hands free mode that lets you move step-by step through a recipe without the need to touch your device. You can make use of a hand wave in front of the device’s camera. This app has thousands of recipes that you can try out. You may also upload your own recipes and share the favorite ones with others.

Reading List compatibility
Each of the Bing content apps integrate with the new Reading List app. This allows you to save favorite articles and come back to read them later.

New Health & Fitness app
This is a new app that features health, diet and exercise trackers. This also includes step-by-step instructions and videos for more than 1000 exercises and 220 workouts.

News, Weather, Finance, and Sports are on Windows Phone also
Do not forget to get the Bing News, Weather, Finance and the Sports apps in your Windows Phone 8 also.
These are some of best Bing apps for those users who have done the Windows 8 transfer. If you would like to know more on the latest Bing apps for Windows 8.1, you may contact the Microsoft support team or check out the official Windows page.

Windows 8.1 Update Procedure And Price Structure

Many people think that Windows 8.1 is just an update to Windows 8. However, it is widely considered as an independent operating system just like Windows 8. The very purpose behind Windows 8.1 was to satisfy the discontent of Windows 8 users, who complained over many of its missing features. Microsoft has tried to return many traditional Windows features that were missing in Windows 8 with the update.

If you are currently using Windows 7 and think that learning how to upgrade to Windows 8 is necessary for the time, it is better to consider an upgrade to Windows 8.1 than Windows 8.

Windows 8.1 pricing structure

Users who think of making an upgrade to Windows 8.1 from their Windows 7 operating systems have two options: either go for direct upgrade, or upgrade to Windows 8 and then update the system to Windows 8.1. As Microsoft has set same price structure for both Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, there is no point in not considering an upgrade to Windows 8 first.

Microsoft lately revealed that it would not charge anything for existing Windows 8 users who want to upgrade to Windows 8.1. However, users who are currently on Windows 7 and want to make an upgrade either to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 will have to spend the same amount. As of now, Microsoft has no clear plans to set special promotional pricing.

Upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8

It is somewhat relieving to see that Microsoft has not increased the price for its Windows 8.1 operating system. The price set by Microsoft for the full version of Windows 8.1 is $119.99. Meanwhile, users who want to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will have to spend $ 199.99, same as the current upgrade price for Windows 8 core version.

If you are currently on Windows 8 and would like to upgrade to Windows 8.1, it is quite simple. Simply go to Windows Store, begin the update files download, and install the downloaded files.

How to upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7

Whether you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8, or directly to Windows 8.1, you will have similar pricing. Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 does not allow you to retain all the setting and features intact, although you are allowed to bring your documents and files.

Before you upgrade from your current operating system to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, make sure that your computer meets with the hardware requirements. Consult technical expert on this regard.

Microsoft Eyeing Chinese Market For The Gaming Consoles

Last Monday, it was posted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s website that Microsoft would be joining with Chinese Internet TV company BesTV New Media Co., 600637.SH +10.01%, which would have a registered capital of $79 million. BesTV is a subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group, which would take a 51 percent of the total profit and would leave the remaining 49 to Microsoft. This strengthens the theory that Microsoft is looking for new acquisitions.

It is a known fact that gaming consoles are banned in China. However, since a long time it has been available on the market through unofficial channels, such as private retail outlets in China's ubiquitous computer malls. Despite this fact, consoles remain unpopular in China and they do not even stand as a competition to the increasing number of smart phones. Most of the consumers play games on personal computers and smart phones.

According to sources, the industry expectations for a relaxation was heated up after an article in January from the government-run China Daily, which cited a person with the Ministry of Culture saying the ministry was reviewing the policy of banning consoles. However, relaxation of such restrictions would involve a number of ministries, and therefore could face obstacles, as stated by analysts. According to the Microsoft help, several users face issues regarding the gaming consoles, and contact the technicians for assistance.

In November, the software giant had stated that it would collaborate with 21Vianet Group Inc, which is China's largest private data-center operator, to offer Office 365 and Windows Azure, cloud versions of its most popular software products, on servers in China. This would help the users to experience the latest services of Windows operating system. The Chinese government originally agreed to ban consoles in 2000, out of concern for the impact the games have on young people in China. However, the irony is that the block simply helped popularize gaming on computers in Internet cafes, across the country. It is fact that recent efforts by companies like Microsoft to make consoles that provide Internet access and television along with high-end games, would attract more Chinese consumers, and make the gaming consoles popular here.

A number of companies in China, including mobile-phone upstart Xiaomi Inc., have recently released set-top boxes to accommodate to the anticipated demand. According to Microsoft help, if this trend goes on, gaming consoles would provide stiff competition to the smart phones in the near future.

New Nvidia Drivers Boost Performance Up To 19%

If you love playing high-end graphics games on your PC, then you should definitely get your hands on the new Nvidia graphics card driver, which runs on Windows 8. This driver roll out is the updated beta graphics card driver for preexistent Nvidia graphics card running on machines powered by Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Preview operating systems. This upgrade is highly recommended for those running on the Windows 8.1 Preview operating system.

In an official blog post, Nvidia posted some of the cool new features that come with the Nvidia graphics card driver. The new driver enables GeForce to SHIELD streaming and thus it is one of the most recommended graphics card driver for users of the Windows 8.1 operating system. Along with this, GeForce R236 drivers also have provided increased performance for a wide array of games. Gamers are surely in for a treat as role-playing games, first person shooter games and fantasy games are only going to get more pleasing for the eye. The Beta drivers promise to offer an increased graphical performance by up to 19% for all GeForce 400/500/600/700 series graphical processing units.

Stated n the Driver download page, Nvidia commented, "This Game Ready driver offers the best gaming experience for Splinter Cell: Blacklist and is also a recommended driver update for the Windows 8.1 Preview. GeForce R326 drivers also provide performance increases for a variety of different games."

This line of graphics card drivers do deliver an increased performance of 19% but only or those who own the GeForce 400, 500, 600 or 700 series of Graphical Processing Units (GPUs). This is a great advantage compared to the previous release by Nvidia- the 320.49 WHQL driver release. Users of GTX 770 reported a 15% improvement in performance when playing Dirt Showdown with a 6% increase in performance while playing Tomb Raider.

Gamers around the world are very excited over this new release as the Windows 8 drivers are not good enough for high graphics games. However, other Windows 8 drivers other than mainly graphics card drivers are surely wonderful, these new beta drivers are surely going to make gaming night outs more fun.

This is nothing new, as Nvidia is known for having one of the best drivers to enhance the visual effect for games. Downloads of the new driver went viral almost as soon as it was launched and critics of the driver are almost non-existent. Gaming is in for a whole new level for all hardcore gamers.