Maybe I am just missing something, but to resolve this concern why can't he just create two (or more) user accounts? From the Vista on-board help: .....a separate user account with unique settings and preferences, such as a desktop background and color theme..... And assuming W7 still retains Vista's Fast User Switching and it is similarly accessible: Fast User Switching is a way to change users on a computer without closing programs and files first. Click the Start button , and then click the arrow next to the lock button. Click Switch User, and then click the user you want to switch to. Warning: Make sure to save any open files before switching users because Windows does not automatically save files that are open. If you switch to a different user and that user shuts down the computer, any unsaved changes you have made to files that are open on your account will be lost. DA

jean, I did that, as I said in my post, and couldn't find some of them, like blockbuster video. damcoy, when I tried to search for them, the computer couldn't find them either. The Search option didn't list desktop programs, so I wasn't sure where to look. It listed, "Pictures, music, or video", "Documents," "All files and folders," and "Computers or People." None seemed to be the one for desktop. I searched "Documents" and "Files and Folders" and came up empty.

Well, seems I now have W8.1 on my subject Laptop. I made numerous requests to the MS Store and left my computer on overnight a couple times, nothing. Then suddenly this afternoon, about a hour ago I get a notice that MS wants to update to W8.1. a "restart" was needed. I click go ahead and forget about doing any work while that is going on. The "you can work applied only to the download which it seems was completed without any notice on my part. But, from there it takes at least 20 minutes for Update to do its work, including a second password code being required. I agreed that the "code" could be telephoned to me. After about a 5 minute wait I went back and requested the "code" be sent to my email address... I have another computer on-line to catch the email. Got the password/code there within the next two minutes. Some of the other "stuff" I am not yet altogether comfortable with, but what choice do I have: 1) The legal stuff seems to give MS lots of access to my computer 2) It appears W8.1 introduces "cloud" storage for those of us who have thus far gotten by just fine without it. This seems to be the purpose of the "Sky Drive" on the W8+ Set of tiles and it seems some of the operational OS stuff is backed up, but not sure I understand yet what else of "mine" is simply taken by MS and put on the "Sky Drive" and anywhere else pleases them. The update chanced the desktop boot up desktop from a scene of Seattle with an enlarged Space Needle to a colorful circular pattern, not better but I was not given a choice. The display on my Laptop seems brighter, maybe more HD, is that a possible effect of the W8.1 upgrade...right I didn't read the MS marketing stuff. Well for better or worse I now have W8.1 on my one and only W8 machine: still have one W7 and numerous XP only one of which is still active. Thank to all as I worked to get W8.1 upgrade on my qualified (free upgrade) machine.

shuffles_gw, A Thermal Pad is a very thin little Square they put on top of the Processor (CPU), then put the Heatsink on top. It basically would Dissipate the CPU Heat into the Heatsink. These Thermal Pads IMO are a True PITA. They are not easy to Apply and they are very difficult to clean off the Processor and Heatsink after using one. IMO, Thermal Grease is a much better and easier option! Many Pre-manufactured computers used these Thermal Pads (not sure if they still do or not)? It was my understanding that AMD's Warranty required use of a Thermal Pad instead of Thermal Grease (not 100% sure that's true). I always used the Thermal Grease and never had a problem with an AMD Processor!