Windows 7

Link Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR)

 * Open regedit
 * HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT
 * Right-click on Windows NT and select New > Key.
 * Name the key DNSClient.
 * Right-click on DNSClient and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
 * Name the Dword EnableMulticast.
 * Set its value to 0.

Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program

 * Control Panel, Action Center, Change Action Center settings.
 * Related Settings, click 'Customer Experience Improvement Program settings'.
 * Select 'No, I don't want to participate in the program' and click Save changes.
 * Click 'OK'
 * Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Task Scheduler.
 * In the Task Scheduler (Local) pane of the Task Scheduler dialogue box, expand the Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows nodes and open the Application Experience folder.
 * Disable the AITAgent and ProgramDataUpdater tasks.
 * In the Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows node, open the Customer Experience Improvement Program folder.
 * Disable the Consolidator, KernelCEIPTask, Uploader and Use CEIP tasks.

https://pubs.vmware.com/view-51/index.jsp#com.vmware.view.administration.doc/GUID-BE82165B-13BC-4FD9-A9CF-FBEF6343D98A.html

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ee126127%28v=ws.10%29.aspx

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/jj618322.aspx

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-disable-customer-experience-improvement-program-in-windows-media-player/

Recycle Bin From Appearing On The Desktop
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-vista/show-or-hide-the-recycle-bin

Stop Installation Of Internet Explorer 10
http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=36512

"Who Can Install Updates" Setting
There are several ways to achieve this:


 * Registry alteration


 * Control Panel alteration

Ensure that the check box for "Who can install updates" is cleared.




 * Group Policy alteration

Start Button Being Hijacked For All Users: Registry Edit
Open Regedit and locate the following entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

If the entries for 'WindowsUpdate' and 'AU' do not exist they need to be created, right click and select New --> Key.

Next create an new DWORD entry under the 'AU' key:

NoAUAsDefaultShutdownOption

Double click on the new DWORD entry and change the Value data: from 0 to 1.

Credit for this tip goes to Alan Hart

Start Button Being Hijacked For All Users: Group Policy Edit
Start | Run | gpedit.msc | User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Update.

There are two entries to enable:


 * "Do not display 'Install Updates and Shut Down' option in Shut Down Windows dialog box"
 * “Do not adjust default option to ‘Install Updates And Shut Down’ in Shut Down Windows dialog box”

Automatic Rebooting When Users Are Logged In
Open Regedit and locate the following entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

If the entries for 'WindowsUpdate' and 'AU' do not exist they need to be created, right click and select New --> Key.

Next create an new DWORD entry under the 'AU' key:

NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers

Set the value of the above a '1'.

Thanks to Alan Hart

Windows Internet Connection Test To Improve Privacy
http://www.ghacks.net/2014/02/07/disable-customize-windows-internet-connection-test-improve-privacy/

http://blog.superuser.com/2011/05/16/windows-7-network-awareness/

IPv6
To disable certain IPv6 components in Windows 7 follow these steps:


 * From the start menu open the 'Network and Sharing Center'
 * Click on 'Change adapter settings'
 * Right click on the required network card and select the 'Properties' option
 * Untick 'Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
 * Click 'OK'
 * Close the Network and Sharing Center'
 * For completeness restart the system

Sync Center
Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.

Open Sync Center in the Control Panel.

 Note:  If Sync Center is not available, change View by to Large icons at the top right of the Control Panel.

Click Manage offline files in the left column of the Sync Center window.

Click Disable Offline Files in the Offline Files window.

Click OK in the Offline Files window.

Click Yes when asked if you want to restart the computer so that all Offline Files services and settings can be disabled.

This tutorial for Group Policy settings.

Prevent Usernames From Being Displayed On The Log On Screen

 * Windows-key + R
 * In the 'Open' box type “secpol.msc” (without the quotes) press the 'OK' button
 * The “Local Security Policy” window will open.
 * In the left hand pane expand “Local Policies” then underneath it click on “Security Options”
 * In the right hand pane locate “Interactive logon: Do not display last user name”
 * Double-click on it, and switch the status from "Disabled" to “Enabled” on the resulting window
 * Click “OK” to close the window.

Driver Installation Via Windows Update
http://www.ghacks.net/2015/07/21/how-to-disable-driver-updates-from-windows-update/

Installation Of Hotfixes That Facilitate Data Tracking
NOTE: The following must be run as Administrator from the Windows Powershell, not the standard command prompt.

It can be launched straight from the Windows Start Menu or via the standard terminal by running:

powershell

To see if a hotfix is installed in the Powershell run:

get-hotfix -id KBxxxxxxx

To uninstall run in the Powershell:

wusa /uninstall /kb:xxxxxxx /norestart

Remove all of the following:


 * KB 3022345
 * KB 3068708
 * KB 3075249
 * KB 3080149

Once the hotfixes have been removed and Windows restarted run Windows Update and hide the hotfixes detailed above to prevent re-installation.

Thanks to Ghacks.

Installation Of Hotfixes That Facilitate The Windows 10 Upgrade
NOTE: The following must be run as Administrator from the Windows Powershell, not the standard command prompt.

It can be launched straight from the Windows Start Menu or via the standard terminal by running:

powershell

To see if a hotfix is installed in the Powershell run:

get-hotfix -id KBxxxxxxx

To uninstall run in the Powershell:

wusa /uninstall /kb:xxxxxxx /norestart

Remove all of the following:


 * KB 2952664
 * KB 2976978
 * KB 3021917
 * KB 3035583

Do Not Stop Installation or Remove the following:

The following updates while linked to the Windows 10 update are also required for normal Windows Update function and should not be removed:

Once the hotfixes have been removed and Windows restarted run Windows Update and hide the hotfixes detailed above to prevent re-installation.
 * KB2990214
 * KB3044374

Thanks to Ghacks.

Windows 10 Upgrade
Method 1:

NOTE: This is applicable to Professional, Business and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.


 * From the start menu open gpedit.msc
 * Navigate to: Computer Configuration | Policies | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Update
 * Double-click on "Turn off the upgrade to the latest version of Windows through Windows Update"
 * Enable the policy

If the entry is not present use method 2.

Method 2:


 * From the start menu open regedit
 * Confirm the UAC prompt if it is displayed.
 * Navigate to the following key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
 * Check if the preference DisableOSUpgrade exists
 * If not, right-click on WindowsUpdate and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
 * Name it DisableOSUpgrade.
 * Double-click the preference.
 * Set its value to 1.

NOTE: Neither of the tweaks above will not actually prevent the installation of the Hotfixes detailed earlier on this page.

Thanks to Ghacks.

Windows File Compression
NOTE: This must be done as an administrator, so either log in to 'Administrator' or in the start menu right click on 'CMD' and select 'Run as administrator'.

fsutil behavior set disablecompression 1

Windows Explorer: Libraries
http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/windows7/windows7_libraries.htm

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/28/windows-7-help/4098569/removal-of-w7-libraries/

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-disable-libraries-feature-in-windows-7/

http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/85-windows-7-tips-tricks-and-secrets-643861/4

MS Technet Article

Thanks to AskVG.

Hibernation:
Windows 7 doesn't make it easy to turn off hibernation, annoying if you never use it as you'll permanently have a "hiberfil.sys" file taking up a sizeable portion of your hard drive. To rectify this situation, launch


 * REGEDIT
 * HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power
 * Set HibernateEnabled to zero.

Administrator (SUPER User) Account
This tweak will enable the Administrator (super user) account to be shown on the Welcome Screen.

Windows 7 has built-in administrator account that is by default disabled and hidden. In Windows 7 the administrator account is true super user account (equivalent to root in Unix/Linux), while all other accounts designated as administrators are not 'super users'. The advantage of using the super user administrator account is that it is not subjected to UAC (User Access Control) restriction. The following instructions detail how to enable the super user administrator account:

Click on the Orb/Start button and type 'cmd' (without the speech marks)

Right click on the result 'cmd' then click on the option "Run as administrator"

Windows Command Prompt: net user administrator /active:yes

Press enter, then exit the command prompt

To reverse:

Windows Command Prompt: net user administrator /active:no

Automatically Log On A Specific User

 * Click Start, type netplwiz, and then press Enter.
 * In the "User for this computer" dialogue box, click to highlight the account you want to automatically log on.
 * If it is available, clear the "Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer" check box.
 * Click OK.
 * In the Automatically Log On dialogue box, enter the user’s password twice and click OK.

Thanks to Microsoft Technet.

Crtl+Alt+Del (SECURE Log On)
Professional Edition

Start menu

Type netplwiz then press enter

On the resulting window click on the 'Advanced' tab

Check the box next to 'Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Click 'OK'

God Mode
'God Mode' is a 'hack' created by Microsoft that brings all of Windows 7's controls in to a single place, collecting all of the Control Panel functions, interface customization, accessibility options, etc

To enable 'God Mode' create a new folder in a convenient location, in the root of the 'C' drive for instance

Rename the folder by pasting the line below:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

The icon for the folder will change and this is correct, to run 'God Mode' just double click on the folder. For ease create a shortcut to the folder either on the desktop or start menu.

Quick Launch Toolbar
For a full tutorial with pictures on adding the Quick Launch Toolbar to Windows 7 follow this link.

Right click on the taskbar and select 'Lock the taskbar'

Right click on the taskbar and select 'Toolbars' --> 'New toolbar'

In the address bar of the resulting window paste the following:

%appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

Then click the 'Select Folder' button

The new Quick Launch toolbar will now appear on the right hand side of the taskbar which as it is unlocked will allow you to move it about.

Once positioned right click on the Quick Launch toolbar and remove text from icons and the bar itself.

Domain Controller
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/214676

Administrator Account Name
The default Administrator can be renamed using Group Policy:

Thanks to Tek Revue.

Minidump: Volume Saved:
By default Windows 7 now keeps the last 50 minidump files (memory images saved when your PC crashes). If you're keen on using dump files to troubleshoot crashes then this is good news, but if you've no interest in that kind of advanced debugging then minidumps are just a waste of your valuable hard drive space. In which case you should run


 * REGEDIT
 * HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl, and
 * Set MiniDumpsCount to 1.

Windows will only now keep the last dump file and you'll free up a little hard drive space.

Thanks to Techradar.

Missing Crash Dump Files:
Impressive though Windows 7 is, it'll crash sometimes, and if you've installed diagnostic software like the Windows debugging tools then you'll want the crash dump file to hand for further investigations. And yet in some situations you'll find the memory.dmp file never appears. So what's going on?


 * Click Start, right-click Computer and select Properties > Advanced System Settings > Startup and Recovery Settings.
 * Ensure that "Write debugging information" is set to something other than "none", and that "Dump file" is the default "%SystemRoot%\MEMORY.DMP".

If that's all correct then check your free hard drive space. If your system isn't on a domain, and has less than 25GB free, then Windows 7 will no longer keep a crash dump file. Tto change that:


 * REGEDIT
 * HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl,
 * Create a new DWORD value called AlwaysKeepMemoryDump, set it to 1,

Now in the future a crash dump file will always be preserved.

Thanks to Techradar.

Power Button
Individual User


 * Right click on Start Menu button/orb
 * Click on 'Properties' in the shell menu
 * Next to 'Power button action:' on the 'Start Menu' tab click the drop down arrow and click on you choice
 * Click 'Apply' then 'OK'

All Users


 * From the Run dialogue box open 'gpedit.msc'


 * In the left hand pane click through:

User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Start Menu and Taskbar


 * In the right hand pane double click on:

Change Start Menu power button

Double click to open, select 'Enable' and then chose your power button option.

Control Panel To Display All Icons (Classic View) (Professional & Ultimate)

 * From the Run dialogue box open 'gpedit.msc'


 * In the left hand pane click through:

'User Configuration' | 'Administrative Templates' --> 'Control Panel'


 * In the right hand pane double click on:

'Always open All Control Panel Items when opening the Control Panel'


 * Select:

'Enabled'

File Associations
Control Panel >> Default Programs

Printer Servers

 * Control Panel
 * Administrative Tools
 * Print Management
 * Printer Servers
 * Forms
 * Click on Action menu > Manage Forms
 * Click on Action menu > Manage Forms

Start Menu
Some of the program shortcuts are available to all users of the computer.

%systemdrive%\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

Other program shortcut groups are available only to the user who is currently logged on.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

Where %systemdrive% is the drive letter where the Windows Vista operating system exists, and %UserProfile% is the path to the user's unique set of environment folders.

Both folders just mentioned are hidden folders. To display them, you have to change the Windows Explorer Folder options by choosing Organize -> Folder and Search Options, and then selecting "Show hidden files and folders" on the View tab of the ensuing dialog box.

At start up, Windows 7 merges the contents of these two Start menu folders and presents the user with a single Start menu, of course. For each folder stored in one of the Programs folders Vista builds a Program Start Menu group and associated shortcuts.

Windows Licence Key
Open a command prompt, this must be done as an administrative super user.

CMD:~$  slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Note: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX should be your product/licence key found on the sticker attached to your computer.

Wait for a Windows message to appear:



Check that the number on screen matches your product/licence key, if not click 'OK' and repeat the step above.

Next activate Windows 7:

CMD:~$  slmgr.vbs -ato

Wait for a Windows message to appear:



Close the command prompt.

RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools)
https://wiki.samba.org/index.php/Installing_RSAT_on_Windows_for_AD_Management

"A referral was returned from the server"
When trying to run an executable file you receive the error above:


 * gpedit.msc
 * Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> User Account Control: Only elevate executables that are signed and validated
 * Swap from "Enabled" to "Disabled"
 * Run the executable, afterwards return the setting to "Enabled".

Administrator's Access To Windows Without A Password
http://howto.techworld.com/operating-systems/3243873/how-to-get-administrator-access-to-windows-without-a-password/?olo=rss

Printing Problem
Windows 7 unable to install printer error 0x00000006

Google Search

Remote Desktop (RDP)

 * Start
 * Right click on Computer
 * Click Properties
 * Top left select Remote Settings
 * Bottom pane click add users
 * Type user name and click OK
 * Type Administrator and click OK (disregard the fact it says Administrator already has access)
 * Click OK
 * Control Panel
 * FireWall
 * Top Left Allow Progarm through Firewall
 * Scroll down to Remote Desktop
 * Check tick box.
 * Click OK

Start Menu - Recently Opened Programmes Fail To Populate Menu
Locate the following Registry entry:

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{EF87B4CB-F2CE-4785-8658-4CA6C63E38C6}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

Backup the entry then delete it.

Open Task Manager and under Processes tab find Explorer.exe highlight it then click the 'End Process' button. This will end Windows Explorer.

Click on the Applications tab, click the 'New Task...' button, type 'explorer.exe' (minus the speech marks) in the 'Open' box and click 'OK'. Windows Explorer should now restart.

Open some programmes and see if they now populate the Start Menu.

Menu - 'Search programs and files' Not Working
Open Regedit and locate the following key:

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{EF87B4CB-F2CE-4785-8658-4CA6C63E38C6}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

The problem is the GroupBy value key in the registry. It is set to System.Null, when it should be System.StartMenu.Group. When it is set to System.Null, all that you end up seeing in the list is the set of categories that items were found in, not the actual items found in the search. I don't know what changed that value for me (or how I did it inadvertently), but setting the value back to System.StartMenu.Group does seem to correct the issue. The fix does require a kill/restart of explorer.exe, or you can just logout and log back in after making the registry change.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-files/when-searching-in-windows-7-i-only-get-a-list-of/cc378149-8765-498a-9480-b1b494e1a1a9

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproui/thread/cc594db0-dbe8-4255-a259-5c1914318c3d

Icon Cache
WARNING: The last command below will immediately reboot the computer.

NOTE: Open the command prompt as Administrator.

Command Prompt: taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F DEL "%localappdata%\IconCache.db" /A shutdown /r /f /t 00

Could Not Find This Item
This error is experienced when creating or renaming folders.

http://www.techjawa.com/2010/05/01/guide-fix-windows-folder-renaming-could-not-find-this-item/

Libraries - Reset
http://bit.ly/1MHE6Zc

http://bit.ly/1MHEarG

http://bit.ly/1MHE9UO

Remote Shutdown By Samba
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy (32 bit DWORD) = 1

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/enable-mapping-to-hostnamec-share-on-windows-vista/

AND

Turn off Windows Firewall.

Windows 10 Installation Files
After eliminating the HotFixes that enable the Windows 10 upgrade you may find you have a folder either Windows.old or $Windows.~BT, these are the locations where the installation files have been downloaded to.

NOTE: $Windows.~BT is a hidden folder so you will need to un-hide it in Windows Explorer.

To remove use the built in Windows Disk Cleanup tool and ensure the option for Previous Windows Installation(s).

NOTE: if the option above is not visible first click on the Clean up system files button.

AMD/ATi

 * Open Regedit
 * Navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\ACE


 * Double click on the 'Default' entry and rename the value, add a couple of dashes will do and allows easy restoration.

INTEL

 * Open Regedit
 * Navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Under ContextMenuHandlers, locate, export (to backup) and delete the key named igfxcui.

Possibly you may need to remove other entries: igfxDTCM and or ifgxOSP.

NVIDIA
Open 'Regedit' and locate the following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\

Under the above key locate, export (to backup) and then delete the following key:

NvCplDesktopContext

Gadgets & Screen Resolutions

 * Open Regedit
 * Navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell

To be able to alter the items listed under this key you will need to alter the permissions:


 * 1) Right click on 'DesktopBackground' and select 'Permissions'.
 * 2) click on the 'Advanced' button then the 'Owner' tab, higlight 'Administrators' tick the 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects', then click 'Apply'.
 * 3) Click on the 'Permissions' tab and select 'Administrators' from the list then tick the 'Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object', ensure you click 'Apply'
 * 4) Accept the Windows Security warning by clicking the 'Yes' button.

You should now be able to right click on a key under shell and alter or delete it.

Internet Explorer 10
First of all, click on the “Start” button (because you do have one unlike Windows 8 users!) and type “Programs and Features” in the search box. Click on the “View installed updates” in the left pane of the menu.

Go over to the “Uninstall an update” screen and scroll down to the “Microsoft Windows” section. Simply select Internet Explorer 10 and click “Uninstall.”

It usually takes a while until the process comes to an end, so you’re strongly recommended to avoid stopping or cancelling it. A reboot is necessary to complete the removal and restore IE9.

Thanks to Softpedia.

A Service

 * Run Regedit or Regedt32.
 * Go to the registry entry:

"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services"


 * Look for the service that you want delete and delete it. You can look at the keys to know what files the service was using and delete them as well (if necessary).

Thanks to How To Geek

Netbios Names - Release And Refresh
nbtstat -RR

Thanks to Microsoft Technet

Have A Laptop Chose A Wired Over Wireless Connection

 * Windows+R
 * Type 'ncpa.cpl' in the run window and then click 'OK', this will in turn open the Network Connections section of the Windows Control Panel
 * Click (menu) 'Advanced' >> 'Advanced Settings...'
 * Under 'Advanced Settings' >> 'Adapters and Bindings' >> 'Connections' click on 'Ethernet' icon and use the buttons to the right to move it above the 'Wi-Fi entry
 * Click 'OK' then close all open windows

Now if a wired connection is made on the laptop the wireless connection should not engage.

Thanks to How To Geek

VPN Using L2TP/IPSec
To set it up: https://kb.iweb.com/entries/22375983-Configuring-new-VPN-L2TP-IPSec-connections-in-Windows-7

To then have it actually work: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926179/en-us

IPSec L2TP VPN
http://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/computing/desktop-personal/vpn/vpn-l2tp-clients/vpn-l2tp-win7-manual

Command Line Email
http://caspian.dotconf.net/menu/Software/SendEmail/

System File Checker (SFC) Running & Reading Log Files
sfc /scannow

Log file location:

C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log

However the log file cannot not be opened directly, but must first be copied to another file:

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

The text file is outputted to the root of the user's directory.

For further information on deciphering the output see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article found here.

Shut Down Or Reboot Via Command Prompt
To shut down...

shutdown /f /t 00

To reboot...

shutdown /r /f /t 00

Download Installation Media
NOTE: As of April 2015 Microsoft have closed this service down, because you know they want you to buy Windows 10...

If you are really desperate search online using the filename for a torrent download. Make sure you keep your AV up-to-date and running though.

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1-U ISO


 * English x86: X17-59463.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso)
 * English x64: X17-59465.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso)

Windows 7 Professional SP1-U ISO


 * English x86: X17-59183.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso)
 * English x64: X17-59186.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso)

Windows 7 Professional N SP1-U ISO (Note: N editions come without media components)


 * English x86: X17-59335.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59335.iso)
 * English x64: X17-59337.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59337.iso)

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1-U ISO


 * English x86: X17-58996.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso)
 * English x64: X17-58997.iso (msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso)

Set Sync Time and Date
If on a Domain...

C:> net time /set /yes

If not on a Domain...

C:> net time \\SERVER /set /yes

http://www.pretentiousname.com/timesync/

Apply Column Layout To Specific Folders In Windows Explorer
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11356-folder-view-apply-folders.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/41198-folder-view-set-default-all-folders.html

Redirect Document Folder
In Windows Explorer locate the 'Document' folder within the users profile (usually C:\Users\username), not in Libraries.

Right click on 'Documents', select the 'Location' tab then click the 'Move' button and browse to the desired folder then click 'Select Folder', click 'OK' to finish.

 NOTE:  This can also be done for Pictures, Videos, Favorites etc

Access Mobility Center
The 'Windows Mobility Center' is useful tool for laptop users, it can be accessed using the following key combination:

Windows+X

Samba Share Issues
This goes hand in hand with being unable to see XP clients on the same network.

Try this first:

Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Local Security Policy

Local Policies - Security Options

Network security: LAN Manager authentication level

Set to: Send LM & NTLM responses

Network security: Minimum session security for NTLM SSP

Set to: Disable Require 128-bit encryption

In Windows Explorer enter the path for the share you are trying to access, i.e.:

\\server1\shared

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/30539-samba-shares-home-premium.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/3737-samba-network-share-issue-windows-7-a-2.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/75-63-windows-samba-issue

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/30539-samba-shares-home-premium.html

Show Desktop Icon: How To Recreate The One From XP
Windows 7 does have a type of 'Show Desktop' button over in the bottom right hand corner between the clock and the edge of the screen. Many users do not realise it is there and those who do find it to be an inconvenient position. The following is instructions on creating a toolbar that looks like the 'Show Desktop' icon users are more familiar with.

But if you still want to get the old "Show Desktop" shortcut back in Windows 7, then here is how to do it:

Unlock the taskbar.

Create a new folder to house the file you will create in the following steps:

Open Notepad.

Copy and then paste the following text into Notepad:

[Shell] Command=2 IconFile=explorer.exe,3 [Taskbar] Command=ToggleDesktop

Click File --> Save As, and then name the file as "Show desktop.scf", and save to the Windows folder.

Right click on taskbar and select Toolbars --> New Toolbar.

The Browse dialogue box will open, select the folder created earlier and click on "Select folder" button.

Right click on taskbar and select "Lock the taskbar" to unlock it.

A placeholder will be created to drag the new toolbar.

Right click on the toolbar placeholder and uncheck "Show Title" and "Show Text" options.

To increase the icon size, right-click on the toolbar placeholder and enable "View -> Large Icons" option.

Drag the new toolbar to the left of taskbar.

Lock the taskbar.

Windows Folder: Make It Smaller
Have a look at this page: http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/80511-guide-making-your-windows-folder-smaller/

WinSXS Folder - Reduce Its Size
Have a look at this page: http://www.techygeekshome.co.uk/2013/10/clear-winsxs-folder-on-windows-7-sp1.html

Method 1
Just wait, the progress bar is flaky and can often jump from 0% to 100% and then start Installing.

Be patient, if there is no progress after 1 hour, then it is stuck. Follow the solutions below.

Method 2
Start - Run

Type : MSConfig

System configuration window appear

click on Services tab - look at the bottom of the box and mark Hide all Microsoft services

Then click Disable All - That will disable every services listed

Apply the change - and Restart

Once logged back in, Do a Windows Update...

Method 3
For this error: code 80072f78 WindowsUpdate_dt000, try:

Go to Start / All Programs / Accessories. Right Click the 'Command Prompt' item and click the 'Run As Administrator' option.

In the Command Prompt window, Paste the following command.

REGSVR32 %SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\WUAUENG.DLL

Press ENTER.

You should see a popup that says the command succeeded.

Exit the command prompt and try Windows Update again.

Method 4
1. Click Start. Choose Run.

2. In the Run box, type: regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll

3. Click OK.

Resource Monitor
To open either:


 * Type 'resource monitor' in you start menu (where applicable)
 * Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, select the Performance tab and click on the 'Resource Monitor...' button found towards the bottom right hand of the window.
 * Type 'resmon.exe' in the 'Run' dialogue box and press enter.

It needs to be run as Administrator so follow the UAC prompts.

Power Efficiency Report
The following will scan your system and generate a file named 'energy-report.html' which will be created in \windows\system32 folder. Copy it somewhere else before opening and then open in a web browser. The report will reveal which settings or devices may be messing with the system's power configurations.

Command prompt: powercfg -energy

Problem Steps Recorder (PSR)
This is a simple tool that allows a user to record the problems they are experiencing with their system. Each step they make is recorded as a screen capture and text description.

From the start menu search 'psr.exe'.

File location: C:\Windows\System32\psr.exe

Recordings are saved as a zip file containing a .mht file that can be opened in Internet Explorer or Opera (sadly not Firefox or Chrome).

Reliability Monitor
Search for ‘reliability’ in the Start menu and open the ‘View reliability history’ entry.

It can also be found via the Control Panel:

Control Panel >> System and Security >> Action Center >> Reliability Monitor

Wipe Free Space
When you delete something in Windows, the space they had taken up is labelled as “available for use”. Deleted files however are still restorable given that you use the right software until they are overwritten with more data. Running the following command will force the data to be overwritten.

Command Prompt: cipher /w:X

NOTE: Replace 'X' with the letter of the drive or partition you wish to wipe. It takes some time, so be patient.

Wevtutil
A command line based tool for outputting information from Event Viewer to a text file.

Command Prompt: wevtutil qe System "/q:*[System[(Level=1 or Level=2)]]" /f:text > C:\errors.txt

Thanks to Microsoft Technet.

Use Hotkeys To Move An Open Window Between Multiple Monitors
Hold onto the Windows key and press left or right arrow and your active window will be anchored in the direction you pressed. This happens on every monitor that you have and if you use Windows + Shift + Right/Left Arrow key, the active window jumps to the second monitor. It’s quite an easy way to navigate through different windows and monitors without having to drag and double click every now and then.

Thanks to Game'n'Gadgets

Stuff To Add Later

 * http://mintywhite.com/windows-7/7maintenance/windows-wont-load-system-repair-disc-fix-pc/
 * http://mintywhite.com/windows-7/7maintenance/download-windows-7-system-repairrecovery-disc/
 * https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc748864%28v=ws.10%29.aspx
 * http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/how-to-use-reliability-monitor
 * http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/windows7/windows7_secpol.htm
 * http://www.lshift.net/blog/2013/03/25/programmatically-updating-local-policy-in-windows/comment-page-1

Manually installing updates:

Thanks to Technet & Firstpost.