Tips & Tricks

Windows XP features the most sophisticated search tools of any Microsoft operating system to date, but you may find its defaults -- from summoning the MSN.com search engine to accompanying searches with a cute animated hound -- less than lovable. Tips 'n' tricks king Gregg Keizer shows you how to make sure nothing comes between you and your data.

Windows is a great operating system, but it gets even better when you think outside the box -- the shrink-wrapped box, that is, with regular visits to Microsoft's download library. The company's newest online offerings do everything from plugging security holes and ironing out mouse-driver incompatibilities to letting you install Windows XP even if your PC can't boot from a CD.

There's Windows' built-in, bare-bones Briefcase, and there are some powerful, pricey third-party utilities -- but isn't there anything in between for users trying to keep much-used documents up to date on both a desktop and laptop? WinPlanet tips 'n' trickster Gregg Keizer helps two-PC commuters stay sane and synchronized with five time-, file-, and battery-saving solutions.