Calling all experts: Windows Tips and Tricks

[bartonc]

I've decide to compile a bunch of your favorite tips and tricks for the Articles section. I found a post yesterday by Chrisjc that is a perfect example. I copied his post over to create Dealing with USB flash drive issues.

Post your favorite tips and tricks here, in this thread, and I'll copy the best ones to a Tips and Tricks article (to be created soon).

I'll kick things off:

[bartonc]

There are many applets and other goodies on Windows that must be run by:
Go to the Start menu and click Run. Then type in the name of the command that you want to run.

One example of a goody that is often useful on Windows XP Professional is the Group Policy Editor. GPE is actually a snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console and there is no simple way to launch it. Here's what I have done to solve this inconvenience:

Right-click the desktop. Pull down to New, then over to Shortcut.
In the Create Shortcut wizard, click Browse. Browse you way to C:\Windows\system32. Find and select the gpedit.msc file, then click Next (of course, if you don't mind typing and know exactly the path and program, you may do that instead). On the last screen of the wizard, give your new shortcut a useful name and click Finish.

Presto! No more going to Run and typing the name of the command.

[epots9]

Updates...

go the manufacturer's website and download the latest drives; alot of issues have been resolved by just getting the correct drivers.

[iWillLiveforever]

Or also reinstall your old drivers, that helps with some problems.

[Chrisjc]

If you have reason to believe that a DRIVER is faulty or not correctly working such as Sound or Video drivers etc... before posting and asking what to do try some of the following steps to troubleshoot the issues at hand.

Check to be sure you installed the Driver. “I know you may ask well that’s dumb, sadly I can’t count how many times I have seen this. Some people just do not know” How to do this and what to look for.

How to.

Anyone on Microsoft Windows 95, 98, and Windows ME can get to the Device Manager by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel > System icon > and click the Device Manager tab.

Anyone on Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP may get to the Device Manager by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel > System icon > Hardware tab > click the Device Manager Button.

Anyone who has a keyboard with the windows key may also quickly get to the system properties by pressing the “Windows key” + “Pause key” AT THE SAME TIME.

What to look for.

If your system declares its self “okay” you will only see a screen that looks like this.

This means all your drivers are correctly working.

However an issue still may exist but may not be a driver issue.

If you have any of the following “an exclamation mark, a red X, or an Other device.”

Here is what they mean,

Exclamation Mark - When a device has a yellow exclamation mark, this is an indication that the device is conflicting with another hardware device.

Red X - Indication that the device has been disabled, removed or that Windows is unable to locate the device.

Other Devices - Windows was unable to locate the drivers for the device and cannot determine the type of device being installed.

Each of the Device Manager Error codes can be found in this MS guild along with some recommendations that MS Suggests Device Manager Error codes

Another great idea to do is check for updates at the Manufactures website place you bought your PC so example, lets say you have a Dell you will need to visit www.dell.com find your PC’s model.

NOTE: Your model can be found in the front of the Tower Case or on the side or rear of your computer Depending on manufacture.

And if you have any after market hardware added to your manufactured PC you will need to consult that hardware’s website for drivers updates or patches.

Clearly I don’t think anyone who builds a custom PC will need to retain to this information there for I am excluding “Custom built PC’s”

If you have tried everything suggested and you are still experiencing an issue consulting one of the form EXPERTS here is the next thing you may consider or taking your PC to a local shop for hands on examination.

This concludes my quick guild to checking for driver functionality and how to solve slight issues such as being sure your drivers are correctly installed and or updated.

I hope this helps.

-Chris

[bartonc]

Now that's what I'm talking about! Thanks Chris. I've created a Tips and Tricks article that I'll keep adding to.

I know that you guys have it in you. Chris, here, has put even me to shame. I'll have to get to work on the real deal, too.

[Chrisjc]

Now that's what I'm talking about! Thanks Chris. I've created a Tips and Tricks article that I'll keep adding to.

I know that you guys have it in you. Chris, here, has put even me to shame. I'll have to get to work on the real deal, too.

No issue. I will work out some more when I find another bored moment at work.

Shame I dont think so either I am sure you can out do me... Hopefully befor I post another =)

[latitude]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

[latitude]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

[Chrisjc]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

hey how about that you tought me something new.

[bartonc]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

Thank you. I have copied it over to the Articles Tip and Tricks.

[Colloid Snake]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

Hmm, I thought I saw a list of these floating around here at one point, but I can't seem to find them now.

Anyway, a few more that might not be so commonly known.

You can switch between open programs (ordered by which ones you have accessed most recently), by using Alt+Tab. You can switch between tabs on a screen in most applications (such as a web browser) by using Ctrl+Tab. You can move backwards through any of these lists by throwing the Shift key in - ie Alt + Shift + Tab will take you to the open program you accessed the longest ago (or the one that is at the end of the list that comes up when you hold Alt+Tab).

And a somewhat ubiquitous command is the Windows key + d to minimize everything on the screen and show the desktop (same functionality as the quicklaunch 'Show Desktop' button).

[Colloid Snake]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

Hmm, I thought I saw a list of these floating around here at one point, but I can't seem to find them now.

Anyway, a few more that might not be so commonly known.

You can switch between open programs (ordered by which ones you have accessed most recently), by using Alt+Tab. You can switch between tabs on a screen in most applications (such as a web browser) by using Ctrl+Tab. You can move backwards through any of these lists by throwing the Shift key in - ie Alt + Shift + Tab will take you to the open program you accessed the longest ago (or the one that is at the end of the list that comes up when you hold Alt+Tab).

And a somewhat ubiquitous command is the Windows key + d to minimize everything on the screen and show the desktop (same functionality as the quicklaunch 'Show Desktop' button).

[bartonc]

Thanks lattitude and Colloid Snake. I'll add your posts to the Windows Tips and Tricks Article.

[vasista2k]

and to add for common tips, windows key + L for locking system and control + C for copy and control + V for paste

[Nepomuk]

Hey, wouldn't this worth being in the "Tips and Tricks" section?
http://www.thescripts.com/forum/show...29#post2779729

[bartonc]

Hey, wouldn't this worth being in the "Tips and Tricks" section?
http://www.thescripts.com/forum/show...29#post2779729

Yes. Thank you. I've copied your post from that thread to the Windows Tips and Tricks Article.

[monirul arfin]

Hi , here is a tricks

you can make your folder without a name,
here it is ,
creat a new folder, now write in the folder name "Alt + 0160". If you want to make another folder write it twice, "Alt+0160" then again "Alt + 0160 ". If you make another folder write it down thrice .
In this way you can make a folder without a name, Thats it
now try it

monirul

[Firebrand]

hey here's a cool way to lock your computer:
You can lock your computer by pressing any key of your choice plus you can display a message when its locked. Hers how:
1> Creat a batch file(you can do that by going to the start menu, run, and type notepad...once ur done save it as .bat)
@echo off
Msg *This Station Has Been Locked By Firebrand.
; rundll32 user32.dll,LockWorkStation

2> save it somewhere other than your desktop
3>now create a shortcut to your batch file and put it on your desktop
4> you can now lock your compurte by simply double clicking the shortcut icon or better, right click the icon, go to properties and click the box that says shortcut Key: and enter a key of your choice9preferably one on the num pad) and click ok.
5>now all you have to do is hit that key sit back and watch. ..:)

[Firebrand]

Hi , here is a tricks

you can make your folder without a name,
here it is ,
creat a new folder, now write in the folder name "Alt + 0160". If you want to make another folder write it twice, "Alt+0160" then again "Alt + 0160 ". If you make another folder write it down thrice .
In this way you can make a folder without a name, Thats it
now try it

monirul

hey dude this stuff dsnt work!!

[monirul arfin]

it must be work

Press the "Alt" button then type "0160" , then relief "Alt" button , then press Enter. thats it.
try it . Now it shoul be work.

hey dude this stuff dsnt work!!

[Firebrand]

it must be work

Press the "Alt" button then type "0160" , then relief "Alt" button , then press Enter. thats it.
try it . Now it shoul be work.

ok it does work. my bad...:)

[Nepomuk]

it must be work

Press the "Alt" button then type "0160" , then relief "Alt" button , then press Enter. thats it.
try it . Now it shoul be work.

Yep, it works. However, it wasn't absolutely clear, that the "Alt" button was meant. I guess, some people created folders called "Alt+0160". ^^

By the way, the ANSI symbol #160 (which is exactly what this command creates) is a protected Space (so if you write something like "800 km", the line can't be broken between the "800" and the "km").

Greetings,
Nepomuk

[Ali Rizwan]

Hmm, I thought I saw a list of these floating around here at one point, but I can't seem to find them now.

Anyway, a few more that might not be so commonly known.

You can switch between open programs (ordered by which ones you have accessed most recently), by using Alt+Tab. You can switch between tabs on a screen in most applications (such as a web browser) by using Ctrl+Tab. You can move backwards through any of these lists by throwing the Shift key in - ie Alt + Shift + Tab will take you to the open program you accessed the longest ago (or the one that is at the end of the list that comes up when you hold Alt+Tab).

And a somewhat ubiquitous command is the Windows key + d to minimize everything on the screen and show the desktop (same functionality as the quicklaunch 'Show Desktop' button).

Actually Ctrl+D does not minimize all windows it toggles the desktop only.
RIGHT

[Ali Rizwan]

Hello,
If you forgot your windowsxp password then what ll you dor?
I know you all reinstall the windows.
But
I have a solution by which you can remove your password.
just delete

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\SAM

But use DOS or any other source to delete this file.
And onething more delete this file before booting your windows after booting process you cannot able to remove that file.
You can also remove this file by connecting your hdd to another pc. Or using a boot cd so you can run MSDOS before booting proces.
GOODLUCK

[Ali Rizwan]

Hello
If you have a lazzy PC and you want to install windows XP.
And the problem is that you have a low RAM and processing speed.
Then you can speedup your computer.
By disabling all effects using by XP.
And you can disable them from
**********************

SystemProperties
select Advanced Tab
click on first button captioned settings (in performace frame)
and uncheck all chekboxes
if you want to use windows styles then check Use visual styles... (last One)

************************

Now you feel that your PC is get fast
GOODLUCK

[Ali Rizwan]

Disable windows irritatiing Error Reports
******************************

System Properties
select Advanced Tab
click on button Error Reporting
select Disable error reporting

**************************************

GOOD LUCK

[Ali Rizwan]

Changing Temp Directory

If you want to save your temporary files to another path except windows default then do this
******************************

System Properties
Select Advanced tab
Click on button Environmental Variables

******************************
Now you can make your own or edit built in variables or directoy.

GOODLUCK

[bartonc]

Thanks, Ali, for the tips.
I may have to do some editing (like explaining how to get to System Properties), but I'll copy them over to the Articles section soon.

[Ali Rizwan]

Hi all,
Any body know if he wants to copy a file from CDROM to a path D:\ABC\JUI\Soft\ what will he do he will copy the files from CD and then open the path where to copy files.
Some times it irritates the user then what will you do?
There is an other option by which you can send the required files on a single click.

==============================

Make a shortcut of the folder let D:\ABC\JUI\Soft to the path C:\DocumentsAndSettings\ALI\SendTo\

Now you will find the folder Soft in sendto options which are
here
Rightclick on your desired file/Folder and choose Sendto
When you click on Soft your desired files will copied to the folder soft.

==============================

In SendTo path Ali is the username it can be Jack, Jhon etc.

GOODLUCK
ALI

[arunbalait]

Hi all

Here is a way to lock your folder without using any third party softwares.

But you need to create a batch file. There you have to store the codes as

cls
@ECHO OFF
title Folder Locker
if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK 
if NOT EXIST Locker goto MDLOCKER
:CONFIRM
echo Are you sure u want to Lock the folder(Y/N)
set/p "cho=>"
if %cho%==Y goto LOCK
if %cho%==y goto LOCK
if %cho%==n goto END
if %cho%==N goto END 
echo Invalid choice.
goto CONFIRM
:LOCK
ren Locker "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
attrib +h +s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
echo Folder locked 
goto End
:UNLOCK
echo Enter password to Unlock folder
set/p "pass=>"
if NOT %pass%== your password goto FAIL
attrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" 
ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Locker
echo Folder Unlocked successfully
goto End
:FAIL
echo Invalid password
goto end
:MDLOCKER
md Locker
echo Locker created successfully 
goto End
:End

Replace your own password at your password.

Then save it as ulike.. Then double click that file.
Now a folder named Locker will be created. Store all your files into it.

And then again double click that batch file.

Now you will prompted to lock the file. Type Y to lock.

Now the folder is locked and not visible. you can again make it visible by double clicking that batch file and then the password.

Any doubts with it?

[jamesd0142]

Any doubts with it?

Only thing i found is that any1 can edit the batch file and view the password???

apart from that its amazing ;)

[jamesd0142]

here's 1 for you (well known)

when on remote desktop, instead of pressing ctrl+alt+delete (which will open the local machines task manager) press ctrl+alt+end to open task manager on the remote computer.

windows key+E - opens windows explorer
F5 - refresh
alt+F4 close current program
shift+tab - reverse of tab button
alt+print screen key - gets image of selected window
SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently
CTRL+C: Copy
CTRL+X: Cut
CTRL+V: Paste
CTRL+Z: Undo
CTRL+B: Bold
CTRL+U: Underline
CTRL+I: Italic

[Ali Rizwan]

Hide batch file and then assign a shortcut key to that batch file.
But i don't think it is a good idea.
Because when every person know how to make this batch file he can modify and see it. For this purpose i will do something secure.

And thanx for the motivation for making a folder locker.

GOOD LUCK
ALI

[jamesd0142]

A simple thing that i find usually speeds up windows...

NOTE: Only tested on xp Home/professional
------------------------------------------------------------------
Click

Start > Run >

Type "msconfig" > Enter

Chose the startup tab (last one)

uncheck all boxes...press ok...

Restart

Windows will now startup (slow first time) and only load the things it needs and not all the junk running in the background which is slowing your pc down!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Works everytime for me :)

[Plater]

A simple thing that i find usually speeds up windows...

NOTE: Only tested on xp Home/professional
------------------------------------------------------------------
Click

Start > Run >

Type "msconfig" > Enter

Chose the startup tab (last one)

uncheck all boxes...press ok...

Restart

Windows will now startup (slow first time) and only load the things it needs and not all the junk running in the background which is slowing your pc down!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Works everytime for me :)

You should be warned that this will also stop some usefull programs as well. (Such as advanced keyboard features, parts of symantic antivirus, activesync)

[bartonc]

You should be warned that this will also stop some usefull programs as well. (Such as advanced keyboard features, parts of symantic antivirus, activesync)

Agreed! This one:

A simple thing that i find usually speeds up windows...

NOTE: Only tested on xp Home/professional
------------------------------------------------------------------
Click

Start > Run >

Type "msconfig" > Enter

Chose the startup tab (last one)

uncheck all boxes...press ok...

Restart

Windows will now startup (slow first time) and only load the things it needs and not all the junk running in the background which is slowing your pc down!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Works everytime for me :)

will not be making it into the official Tips and Tricks.

[Mohan Krishna]

Hi everyone!

WIN key + D - To show the desktop and back.
WIN key + M - To minimise all the open windows
SHIFT + WIN key + M - To restore all the minimised windows

Then to change the name of folder, you can use ALT + 0160, where the 0160 are to typed on the NUM PAD not on the key pad. You can also type ALT + 0172, etc. to show several special characters in the folder/filename.
Here, You can use 0000 to 0255 (ASCII values).

PRNSCREEN - to copy the desktop or a window on it to the clipboard.
ALT + PRNSCREEN - to copy ONLY the active window on it to the clipboard.

This may help, to my knowledge!

[Ali Rizwan]

changing the DOS background colour

The value DefaultColor controls the foreground and background colors used in command prompt windows. It has a default value of 0, for standard white text on a black background.
CHANGING DOS BACKGROUND
Open your registry (press win+r and type regedit , hit enter )
goto


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor]

u'll find "DefaultColor"

You can replace it's value with a two-digit hexadecimal number, in which the first digit selects a background color and the second a foreground color. The hexadecimal codes are:

Hexadecimal value Color
0 Black
1 Blue
2 Green
3 Aqua
4 Red
5 Purple
6 Yellow
7 White
8 Gray
9 Light Blue
A Light Green
B Light Aqua
C Light Red
D Light Purple
E Light Yellow
F Bright White


A value of F0, for example, would give black text on a white background, and 1E would yield yellow text on a blue background.

The change should take effect the next time you open a console window.

Regards

>> ALI <<

[Ali Rizwan]

Make IE faster

1. click start > run
2. type regedit > enter
3. browse folder Mcft
4. right click @ windows right > New > DWORD
5. type MaxConnectionsPerServer > u can set value (the more higher the no, the more good speed u get, eg : 99)
6. create another DWORD >type MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server
7. then put a high valkue as mention above
8. then, restart ie...ur finish

Regards

>> ALI <<

[Mohan Krishna]

Hi everyone!

WIN key + R - To show the RUN command Dialog. Just as press START button and click on the RUN command.
WIN key + F - To show the FIND / SEARCH command Dialog. Just as press START button and click on the RUN command.


This may help, to my knowledge!

[monirul arfin]

Hi all,
Here is some tricks or you can call it magic -

Open a new Microsft word and then type,

=rand (200, 99 )
and then press Enter. You will be saw a magic.
Try it :)

Greetings,
Monirul.

[Rajiesh]

Hi

I have a small Question on this. Why we need to protect a folder.

Defenitely it should be for some security reason. The person who want to the filder can easily edit this bat file and change the passowrd??

Is there any methos where we can hide the password

Rajiesh

[Rajiesh]

Ali

Thanx for your tip

There is no need to delete the SAM file. Connect the HDD has secondary and rename the sam file and boot the HDD.SAM file will create automatically

Rajiesh

[gpl]

Install the XP Power Toys

The ability to right-click on a folder and open a command window there is worth its weight in gold. If you cannot install programs on a pc, then this solution will get you out of a fix (yes, that was me).

The enhanced Alt-Tab control is quite pretty and the picture resizer has been very useful too. The new Calc program gives you hex and scientific functions.

The Windows 95 PowerToys has a great addin : SendToX, Microsoft Technet have some handy instructions on how to use it (I would steer clear of the others though, just in case of incompatibility).

SendTo is very, very useful. For example, right-clicking on a file and selecting the editor from the context menu is all well and good, but if you tag multiple files, only 1 will open - but set the editor up as a shortcut in the SendTo folder, you can open them all (well, up to a limit!).

If you have a load of files to rename, ExplorerXP has the most powerful functionality that I have seen.

Share&Enjoy
Graham

[Plater]

The enhanced Alt-Tab control is quite pretty and the picture resizer has been very useful too. The new Calc program gives you hex and scientific functions.

SendTo is very, very useful. For example, right-clicking on a file and selecting the editor from the context menu is all well and good, but if you tag multiple files, only 1 will open - but set the editor up as a shortcut in the SendTo folder, you can open them all (well, up to a limit!).

If you set your calculator to scientific-mode you get the hex and scientific functions.
There is a folder, where whatever shortcuts you drop into it, they appear in the SendTo menu, don't need the power toy.
If your editor only opens one of the files, you should either A) look for a setting to fix that, or B) get a better editor, I've never had that trouble.

On the other hand though, many powertoys ARE very useful. Right-click command prompt really is worth far more then gold, hehe.

[SomeGuyHere]

Heres a neat one I found on accident:

FLIP YOUR SCREEN SIDEWAYS (Windows Vista)

CTRL + ALT + Right Arrow (or a different arrow)

[Plater]

Heres a neat one I found on accident:

FLIP YOUR SCREEN SIDEWAYS (Windows Vista)

CTRL + ALT + Right Arrow (or a different arrow)

Are you sure that is not just a feature of your video card? (ATI is pretty fond of that behavior)

[questionit]

Web-Page refresh - The F5 key :

Someone, long time ago, had suggested me to use CTRL+F5 - A Deep Refresh. According to them this is better to use for some reason. I could not find any difference between F5 and CTRL+F5

Anyone with expereince with CTRL+F5 - how is it better or different?

Regards
Qi

[Plater]

Web-Page refresh - The F5 key :

Someone, long time ago, had suggested me to use CTRL+F5 - A Deep Refresh. According to them this is better to use for some reason. I could not find any difference between F5 and CTRL+F5

Anyone with expereince with CTRL+F5 - how is it better or different?

Regards
Qi

Ctrl+F5 (on some browsers) forces an actual refresh, ignoreing server responses that "your cached file is current"
Wheras a regular F5 will just refresh the page, possibly from a cached copy if it still believes the cheched file is "up to date"