Ronald Albaitis tried opening a file and got a warning that it contained "macros." He asked me what they are and whether he should be concerned.

A macro is a small, usually user-created piece of programming that runs inside another, larger program. Several applications come with macro-writing and -running capabilities.

In a continuation of last Thursday's post and skicrazer's forum question, I offer another approach to integrating Web-based email with Windows.

Windows has had a handy Default Mail Client setting for a very long time. It not only allows you to click a mailto link in your browser and go directly to your email program of choice, but it also lets you to mail a document directly from Word, an archive from WinZip, and any file from Windows Explorer.

Skicrazer asked the Web Browsing and Email forum what to change so that clicking a mailto link would bring up a Web-based mail account.

I find it amazing that this isn't simply part of Windows by now. The operating system has had a default mail client setting for a very long time, and Web-based email isn't exactly a new idea, either. Yet Microsoft has never added a way to make that mail client a URL rather than a program.

Wlpncp plans to upgrade his wife's PC from Vista to Windows 7. He asked the Laptops forum for advice.

You have two basic options: an Upgrade install, or a Custom one.

DimplesAkaKaren noticed that Windows came with two versions of Internet Explorer. She asked the Answer Line forum which she should use.

The 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Vista come with both 32- and 64-bit variations of Internet Explorer. But the operating systems default to using the 32-bit brower.

Deedrio couldn't access a particular Web site that had never before been a problem, and turned to the Web Browsing and Email forum for help.

You've got two tasks here. First, you need to find a workaround that will let you to get to the site. And second, you need to fix the underlying problem so that you don't have to keep using a workaround.

Hajime's printer warns that ink cartridges need replacing, but other indicators deny this. Hajime asked the Printers forum for help.

When I'm shocked by the high price of gasoline, I comfort myself with the thought that at least my car doesn't run on printer ink.

Henry Maier's PC reboots when he tries to shut it down.

You can easily fix this common and annoying problem. Unfortunately, it's almost always a symptom of something more serious and more difficult to repair.

Malware infected Jazzy007's PC, and his data disappeared--even after he removed the culprit. He asked the Answer Line forum for help.

Chances are your data files are still on your hard drive; they're just hidden. The criminal who created that malware wanted to scare you into thinking that your precious files were gone. After all, in your panic, you might do something stupid--preferably something that involved throwing money in their direction. And the easiest way to create the illusion of missing files is to hide them.

Arther needs to make room on his hard disk drive. He asked the Desktops forum for advice.

Cleaning your hard drive can be an unpleasant chore, involving difficult decisions about what files you can do without. But sometimes, it has to be done.

Xingyichen asked the Windows forum about burning photos to a DVD.

I have to start my answer with a question: What kind of photo DVD do you want? There are two options: Do you want to use the DVD as storage, or as video?

John asked if he and his neighbor could save money by sharing one Internet account, via Wi-Fi.

This should work, but the negatives probably outweigh the positives.