Windows 7
HOWTO: DISABLE:
Presentation Mode
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/6557-presentation-settings-turn-off.html
Windows Media Player
This will turn off the DLNA Server so that it doesn't show up on your TV's list of 'Sources'.
- Start
- Control Panel
- Programs and Features
- Turn Windows Features On and Off
- Media Services
- Windows Media Player
- Untick
- Click OK
- Reboot
In fact, you may as well remove the whole of that section 'Media Services' and install VLC instead.
Search Indexing
- Turn off the indexing (to prevent an index being produced).
- Delete the existing index (to prevent windows from using the index during searches).
- Avoid re-enabling indexing.
- Start -> Run -> services.msc -> disable and stop Windows Search
- Control Panel -> Indexing Options -> Advanced
Thanks - http://superuser.com/questions/73204/correct-way-to-disable-indexing-in-windows-7
WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WDAP)
- Tap on the Windows-key, type cmd.exe, hold down Shift and Ctrl, and hit enter. Confirm the UAC prompt. This opens an elevated command prompt window. Keep it open after you run the following command.
- Run the command netsh winhttp reset proxy.
- Tap on the Windows-key again, type services.msc and hit enter.
- Locate the WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service and stop it if it is running by right-clicking on it and selecting "stop" from the context menu.
- Double-click on the service to open its properties and change its startup type to disabled.
- Switch to the Registry Editor and navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
- Right-click on Parameters and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
- Name it UseDomainNameDevolution.
- Set its value to 0.
Smart Multi-Homed Name Resolution
- Open regedit
- Navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient
- Right-click on DNSClient and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
- Name the Dword DisableSmartNameResolution.
- Set its value to 1.
Thanks to Computer Step by Step.
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://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
Windows Update
Receive Updates for other Microsoft Products (Microsoft Update)
Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update > Get updates for other Microsoft Products > Find Out More
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=70156
"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
While this method of disabling IPv6 works it is only at the network card level, to truly disable IPv6 changes to the registry must be made. See this Microsoft Knowledge Base article for further information.
To disable IPv6 on the network card:
- 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.
- Open Sync Center.
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' found 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 to complete disablement.
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/
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/2500967
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:
- KB2990214
- KB3044374
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.
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
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.
HOWTO: ENABLE:
Ping
Control Panel --> System and security --> Windows Firewall --> Advanced settings --> Inbound Rules --> File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In) --> Allow Rule
Firewall
netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state on
Wake On Lan WOL
http://windows7-issues.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/wake-on-lan-wol-for-windows-7-made-easy.html
Administrator (SUPER User) Account
This tweak will enable the Administrator (super user) account to be shown on the Welcome Screen.
Windows 7 Professional & Ultimate have a 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"
net user administrator /active:yes
Press enter, then exit the command prompt
To reverse:
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.
HOWTO: MODIFY:
ACPI HAL
http://windowsitpro.com/windows/how-do-i-enable-acpi-my-machinechange-hal
Domain Controller
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/214676
Administrator Account Name
The default Administrator can be renamed using Group Policy:
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
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
- <computer name>
- 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.
HOWTO: RESET:
User Passwords
Boot SystemRescueCD on a CD or USB key.
Mount the Windows disk:
ntfs-3g /dev/sdX1 /mnt/windows
If mounting fails, then you can remove the hibernate file and mount. Be warned: You will lose anything unsaved that you were working on when Windows hibernated.
ntfs-3g -o remove_hiberfile /dev/sdX1 /mnt/windows
At this point you could mount an external drive and back up your files.
Change into the directory that contains your password file (a file called ‘SAM’):
cd /mnt/windows/WINDOWS/system32/config
Inspect your users. This should output a list of available user accounts.
chntpw -l SAM
Change your password. In the following example 'my user' is your username.
chntpw -u "my user" SAM
You'll be presented with a set of options. Here you can blank the password.
Unmount windows:
cd umount /mnt/windows
Reboot your machine into Windows and log in.
reboot
Group Policy
This must be done in a terminal with administrative privilages.
RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy" gpupdate /force
HOWTO: INSTALL:
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools)
https://wiki.samba.org/index.php/Installing_RSAT_on_Windows_for_AD_Management
HOWTO: FIX:
Winsock Errors
netsh winsock reset ENTER netsh int ip reset reset.log hit ENTER
Reboot system to complete.
Unable To View/Empty Recycle Bin
Launch a terminal with administrative privileges and run:
rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin
Boot Problems
- F7
- Select System Restore + F8
- Safe Mode Command Prompt
- Use the mouse and choose the C:\ box
- Type chkdsk C: /f /r /x
- Type sfc /scannow (or maybe sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows)
- Use the mouse and press the X
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa382541(v=vs.85).aspx
Messaging
Administrator > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server > AllowRemoteRPC from the value 0 to the value 1
Syntax:
C:\Windows\System32>msg /SERVER:[type computer name here] * /TIME:[type amount of time (in seconds) to display message before it's automatically closed] "[type the message you want to send here]"
Example 1:
C:\Windows\System32>msg /SERVER:Jeffs-PC * /TIME:300 "Hi Jeff, the server will be shutting down at 11:45 PM tonight for security and maintenance purposes. Please be sure to finish and save all of your work by then. Thanks, James"
Temporary Domain Profile
http://www.sysprobs.com/fix-temporary-profile-windows-7
Computer \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ ProfileList
Proxmox: Unable to shutdown Windows 7 32-bit guest
- make sure that in power options, pressing the power button shuts down the system
- Disable the 'Shutdown Event Tracker'. This setting in Group Policy. If the server is part of a domain, you need to edit the group policy for the organizational unit with the server. If you're not using a domain, you can edit the local group policy. This can be accessed by doing the following: Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc -> ok -> open "Computer Configuration" then "Policy" then "Administrative Templates" then "System". In the right pane, double click on 'Display Shutdown Event Tracker' and select 'disable' and OK. To make sure the new group policy is applied. Go to Start -> run -> cmd -> ok and type in 'gpupdate /force' without the quotes. Now when you select shutdown, you won't be promoted with the box asking why you are shutting down the server.
- Control Panel -> System and Security -> Power Options -> Edit Plan Settings -> Turn off the display: Never
Thanks - https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/unable-to-shutdown-windows-7-32-bit-guest.17932/
"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
Printing Problem
Windows 7 unable to install printer error 0x00000006
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
For Linux
sudo apt-get install freerdp-x11 xfreerdp /v:192.168.0.107 /size:800x600 /d:DOMAIN /u:Administrator /p:password /compression
Speed Up Mouse Pointer
Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Mouse > Mouse Pointers > Scheme = Windows Black (large)
Thanks - Microsoft Technet
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.
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
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.
HOWTO: REMOVE:
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) is selected (see NOTE: below).
NOTE: if the option above is not visible first click on the Clean up system files button.
Desktop Context Menu Entries
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:
- Right click on 'DesktopBackground' and select 'Permissions'.
- click on the 'Advanced' button then the 'Owner' tab, higlight 'Administrators' tick the 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects', then click 'Apply'.
- 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'
- 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
HOWTO: NETWORKING:
Flush DNS Cache
ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /registerdns
Reboot to complete.
Thanks - http://www.technipages.com/flush-and-reset-the-dns-resolver-cache-using-ipconfig
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
HOWTO: SETUP:
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
HOWTO: GENERAL
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.
Shutdown or Reboot Via GUI
shutdown -i
Shut Down Or Reboot Via Command Prompt
To shut down...
shutdown /f /s /t 00 /d p:4:1
To reboot...
shutdown /f /r /t 00 /d p:4:1
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/
Windows Explorer:
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
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
Windows Update Fails: Things To Try
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<enter>
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.
Method 5
Try the Reset Windows Update Agent script.
This must be run in a terminal that has administrative privilages.
INFO: USEFUL FEATURES:
Clean Manager
Start > Run > cmd > CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER > cleanmgr
System File Checker
Start > Run > cmd > CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER > sfc /scannow
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
Snipping Tool
Can be used from grabbing areas of a screen, in preference to using the normal screenshot methods.
Just start typeing 'snipping tool' in the start menu.
System Information
A GUI to display system information.
- In the start menu type 'System Information'
- Or in the 'Run' window type 'msinfo32.exe'
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.
Keyboard Shortcuts:
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:
