Today Microsoft started their global rollout of Update 1 to Windows 8.1. The update, which basically makes Windows 8.1 more user friendly for traditional desktop users, are being made available through Windows Update.

The update itselft is tailored to the type of machine you have, it being a desktop, a laptop (touch or no touch) or a tablet. On my current laptop, which is no-touch, the total download was around 900 MB, and the update process took approximately 10 minutes total.

Interested in updating? Go to Windows Update and check whether it is available for you yet. Good luck

One of the advantages of Windows 7 and now Windows 8, is the ability to encrypt whole drives using BitLocker or BitLocker To Go. First of all, what is BitLocker?

• BitLocker provides disk drive encryption. When enabled BitLocker encrypts the entire disk. When adding new files to the disk those are immediately encrypted as well
• BitLocker can do this to both system and non-system drives
• BitLocker protects vital Windows system files during boot-up.
• BitLocker works with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security hardware, which is provided in some modern PCs
• When copying or moving files off of a BitLocker protected drive they are automatically decrypted

Alas, none of my PCs have a TPM, so one might think that this is a no-go option.

But, no – you can actually enable BitLocker on Windows 8, even on PCs without a TPM

In order to do this follow these few steps;

• Make sure you are logged on as an administrator
• Hit the Windows key and type gpedit.msc

• Hit enter and the Local Group Policy Editor comes up;

At IFA 2012 in Berlin several PC makers have announced their coming Windows 8 PCs. Very few of them have given any information on pricing, but one thing looks certain; there are a lot of good-looking PCs coming down the line soon. So if you are in the market for a new PC, I would recommend on waiting a couple of months

Take a look at some of the upcoming hardware in this gallery;