How to Disable Themes in Windows 7

Windows 7 Premium include the Windows Aero theme as the default desktop theme. Visual styles can be delight to the eye and provide a sleek modern look to the desktop environment. However, Windows themes may not always be practical. Fortunately, Windows 7 themes can be switched or for added control and performance, desktop themes can be completely disabled.

Benefits to Disabling Windows Themes:
1. Increase computer performance
2. Free up memory (RAM)
3. Prevent other users from changing the default Windows desktop

Stop the Themes Service:
1. Each service is listed in alphabetical order, scroll down to locate the service labeled "Themes"
2. Select to highlight the Themes service
3. Two options appear on the left side of the box: Stop the service and Restart the service
4. Click Stop the service
5. The desktop should automatically revert to the Windows Classic desktop

Disable the Themes Service for the Windows Desktop:
Even though the Themes service is discontinue, the user must set the service to be disabled. If this is not done, the service will start automatically when the computer restarts.
1. With the Themes service highlighted, right-click on the selection
2. In the the menu, select the Properties menu option
3. With the Themes Properties window open locate the Startup type drop down box
4. click the drop down box and select disabled
5. When finished, click the Apply button

The Windows 7 desktop themes will now be disabled.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

New Beta of Panda Global Protection 2011

Global IT security vendor Panda Security has announced the release of the new Beta of Panda Global Protection 2011, its most complete anti-malware solution for home users. Panda has also announced that the ten most productive beta-testers of this solution will receive a $200 (R 1533) Amazon coupon.

Panda Global Protection 2011 is specifically designed for highly active users with demanding protection needs, it includes a series of new features, such as the option to manage home networks or run the protection in gaming/multimedia mode to avoid interruptions for gamers. “It also offers users greater protection and minimal resource consumption as it uses the latest protection technologies on the market".

The new solution maintains the features that have made it a market-leading security suite. These include a powerful antivirus engine to protect against all types of known and unknown viruses, firewall with WiFi security to block intruders and hackers, Panda USB Vaccine to protect USB devices, confidential information filters to keep personal data safe, backup copying and system recovery, as well as a PC tune-up feature to optimize system performance.

The lineup also features new intelligent updates, web filtering for even safer internet browsing, home network management, gaming/multimedia mode, remote PC access, virtual keyboard and a sandbox virtual browser. The anti-spam filter, protection against spyware, phishing, rootkits and banker Trojans, parental control and 2 GB online backup have also all been improved.

Panda Global Protection 2011 delivers real-time protection against new or unknown threats, and leverages the knowledge from the global community of millions of Panda users and Collective Intelligence technologies.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Trend Micro launches Antivirus for Virtual Desktops

Antivirus vendor Trend Micro Monday announced the first virtualization-aware endpoint security software, Trend Micro OfficeScan 10.5.

The software, designed to work in either a Citrix XenDesktop or VMware View Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environment, as well as on physical desktops, senses when it's running in a virtualized environment, then adjusts how and when it runs scans and updates, to avoid overloading the server's CPU, storage or networking operations.

Trend Micro expects to release the application by the end of next month.

Other new features include the ability to manage up to 20,000 physical and virtual desktop endpoints from a single OfficeScan console, full compatibility with Windows 7-- including Windows 7 Action Center (the operating system's one-stop shop for security information and system maintenance) as well as better role-based administration for delegating administration, as well as Active Directory synchronization.

• 
• 
• 
• 
•