Simple and free

"Some of them are pretty decent alternatives, not only for those who are not willing to spend the big bucks, but also for those who need some specific tasks done, like resizing a batch of picture without needing to run the almighty Photoshop."

Labels: Add-in, General

Straight forward

Labels: Add-in, Files, General, Tips

Where they live and breathe

Labels: Files, General, Tips

Tap or Click?

Labels: Desktop, General, Tips

Registry mop

Labels: Customize, General, Tips, Tutorials

Wash and dry

"Your computer could fry if you don't keep it clean," says Jonathon Millman, chief technology officer for Hooplah Interactive.
Dust clogs the vents behind your computer, which causes your CPU to heat up—and heat is the biggest cause of component failure in computers. Regular cleaning could save you costly maintenance fees down the road.

Labels: General, Hardware, Tips

You control

"If you want to leave your Task Manager showing on your desktop for a period of time, it can be nice to hide the title bar and gain that space for displaying more information. To do this, simply double-click on the empty area to the right of the tabs. Once it has switched views, you can switch back quickly by double-clicking anywhere on the border."

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

When all else fails

@echo off
echo.
echo Purging the print queue . . .
net stop Spooler
echo Deleting all print jobs . . .
ping localhost -n 4 > nul
del /q %SystemRoot%\system32\spool\printers\*.*
net start Spooler
echo Done!
ping localhost -n 4 > nul

Labels: General, Tips

I've got your number

"...the Hosts file is like an address book. When you type an address like www.yahoo.com into your browser, the Hosts file is consulted to see if you have the IP address, or "telephone number," for that site. If you do, then your computer will "call it" and the site will open. If not, your computer will ask your ISP's (internet service provider) computer for the phone number before it can "call" that site.
Most of the time, you do not have addresses in your "address book," because you have not put any there. Therefore, most of the time your computer asks for the IP address from your ISP to find sites."

"Important Notice - 2K/XP Users

In most cases a large HOSTS file (over 135 kb) tends to slow down the machine. This only occurs in W2000 and XP. Windows 98 and Windows ME are not affected.

To resolve this issue (manually) open the "Services Editor"

1. Start>Run (type) "services.msc" (no quotes)
   
2. Scroll down to "DNS Client",
   
3. Right-click and select: Properties
   
4. Click the drop-down arrow for "Startup type"
   
5. Select: Manual, click Apply/OK and restart.

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

Distance Computing

"There are lots of reasons why you'd want to access your PC remotely, and luckily there are also plenty of ways to do so. Crossloop is one of the simplest (it’s also free), but for those willing to venture further, you've got lots of options.

Excuse us while we get technical for a second. This list is divided into four main sections: VNC (Virtual Network Computing), NX, remote desktop and cross-protocol. If those terms mean nothing to you, you might want to skip to the 'other' section for the most straightforward applications."

Labels: General, Reference

Works, but dangerous

"Cipher.exe is a command-line tool. Microsoft has developed an improved version of the Cipher.exe tool that provides the ability to permanently overwrite (or "wipe") all of the deleted data on a hard disk.
This feature improves security by ensuring that even an attacker who gained complete physical control of a Windows computer would be unable to recover previously-deleted data."

Labels: General, Tips, Tutorials

May you never need it

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. The diagnostic includes a comprehensive set of memory tests. If you are experiencing problems while running Windows, you can use the diagnostic to determine whether the problems are caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard.

Windows Memory Diagnostic is designed to be easy and fast. On most configurations, you can download the diagnostic, read the documentation, run the test and complete the first test pass in less than 30 minutes.

Labels: General, Troubleshoot

Just right

1. Click Start and click Run.
   
2. Type regedit and click OK.
   
3. Locate the following registry key:
   

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer. 

4. From the Edit menu, point to New, and click DWORD Value.
   
5. Type in ThumbnailSize and press Enter.
   
6. Double click the new value. Enter in a hexadecimal value between 32 and 256.
   
7. Close the registry editor.

Labels: Customize, Explorer, General, Regedit, Tips, Vista

Get an inventory

This article describes how to add the Print Directory feature for folders in Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. After you follow the steps that are listed in this article, you can right-click a folder, and then click Print Directory Listing to print a directory listing of the contents of a folder.

Labels: General, Tips, Vista

Sole user

If you are the only person using the computer, you can have it automatically log you on.

Go to Start>Run ; type in:

"control userpasswords2"

(no quotes)

Uncheck:

"Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer"

[Edited entry from 4/12/2004]




See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

Adjust how it looks

1. Right Click the My Computer Icon
   
   
2. Choose Properties
   
   
3. Go to Advanced>Performance>Settings>Advanced

Let Windows choose what's best for my computer

Restore settings to Windows choice.

Adjust for best appearance

Turn on all visual effects

Adjust for best performance

Turn off all visual effects

• Fade or slide menus into view
  
• Fade or slide ToolTips into view
  
• Fade out menu items after clicking
  
• Show Shadows under menus
  
• Slide open combo boxes
  
• Slide taskbar buttons
  
• Use a background image for each folder type
  
• Use common tasks in folders

Labels: Customize, General, Vista

Daily shots

"With 7.2 Million monthly visitors and more than 520 million photos to explore, Webshots is one of the largest photo- and video-sharing sites.

Webshots provides you with a variety of ways to enjoy photos and videos:

• Free and premium memberships with tons of storage—you'll never run out!
  Webshots provides you with a variety of ways to enjoy photos and videos:
  
• Share photos, videos and slideshows on Webshots and your personal website.
  
• Download professional photos in Webshots Pro Shots.
  
• Access Webshots on the go with Webshots Mobile.
  
• Easily manage your online photos with the FREE Webshots Desktop.
  
• Order prints and make custom photos gifts that anyone will love.

And more! "

Webshots! Over 20 MILLION FREE screen saver and wallpaper photos!

Labels: Add-in, General

Install more

A small amount of sample clip art images was included The 2007 Office systems and Office 2003 and is part of the "local collection" that is searched when you do not have Internet access to the Microsoft Office Online Clip Art and Media Web site. Office 2003 no longer included a media content CD with additional clip art. However, the Microsoft Office XP Media Content CD can still be installed locally or on a network share.

The Office XP Media Content CD contains approximately 35,000 clips that are a subset of the clips that are available on the Microsoft Office Online Clip Art and Media Web site. The Office XP Media Content CD was included with Microsoft Office XP Professional, Microsoft Office XP Standard, and Microsoft Publisher 2002 Deluxe Edition.

To install the contents of the Office XP Media Content CD on a computer, follow these steps:

1. Exit all programs that are running
   
   
2. Insert the Office XP Media Content CD into the CD drive or into the DVD drive
   (Hold down the SHIFT key to prevent the program from automatically starting. If Microsoft Windows Installer automatically starts, click Cancel)
   
   
3. Click Start, click Run, type the following command, and then click OK:
   

   msiexec.exe /i CD_drive:\CAG.MSI ADDLOCAL=ALL /qb

(CD_drive is the letter of the drive that contains the Office XP Media Content CD)

Labels: Add-in, General

Umpty ump definitions and references — maybe even a googol.

"Every File Format in the World"

This is a list of file name extension or suffixes that indicate the format or usage of a file and a brief description of that format.

KAR

MIDI file (text+MIDI) (Karaoke)

Labels: General, Reference

Still sign on, or not

Note If you have not created a password reset disk, and you have also forgotten the password for all user accounts, you cannot log on to your existing Windows installation for security reasons. This information applies to starting Windows XP typically, to safe mode, and to Recovery Console. In this case, you must perform a "clean" installation of Windows XP, re-create all user accounts, and then reinstall all your programs.

Labels: General, Password, Tips, Troubleshoot, Vista

Brand your own Explorer

Labels: Customize, General, IE, Tutorials

Be empowered

"Control Panel provides a set of special-purpose administrative tools so that users can configure the Windows, applications, and services environment. It includes default items in Control Panel for common tasks, for example, Display and Add Hardware. User-installed applications and services can also insert their own icons into Control Panel.

There are two view options for Control Panel: Category View and Classic View.

Category View displays Control Panel icons according to the type of task that the user wants to perform.

Classic View displays Control Panel icons in a view that is familiar to users of previous versions of Windows."

1. Click Start, and then Settings
   
   
2. Click Control Panel.
   
   
3. Click Appearance and Themes, and then click Folder Options.
   
   
4. Open Folder Options.
   
   
5. Under Tasks, click "Show common tasks in folders", and then click OK.
   
   
6. In the Control Panel box in the upper-left corner of Control Panel, click "Switch to Category" or "Switch to Classic View".

• Accessibility Options
• Add Hardware
• Add or Remove Programs
• Administrative Tools
• Date and Time
• Display
• Folder Options
• Fonts
• Game Controllers
• Internet Options
• Keyboard
• Licensing
• Mouse
• Network Connections
• Phone and Modem Options
• Power Options
• Printers and Faxes
• Regional and Language Options
• Scanners and Cameras
• Scheduled Tasks
• Sounds and Audio Devices
• Stored User Names and Passwords
• Speech
• System

Labels: General, Tutorials

Space image wallpaper

Labels: Customize, Desktop, General

What does it all mean

• Security Glossaries
  
• Multimedia Glossaries
  
• Partner and Business Glossaries
  
• Technical Glossaries
  
• Non-English Language Glossaries

Labels: General

Logon, Logoff, Startup and Shutdown Status Messages

To turn on:

Locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.

Type verbosestatus, and then press ENTER.

Double-click the new key that you created, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.

Quit Registry Editor.

NOTE: Windows does not display status messages if the following key is present and the value is set to 1:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableStatusMessages

Verbose Status Messages




See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, General, Regedit

"Free keyboard layouts — called Dvorak layouts — are available for people who type with one hand or finger. These layouts make the most frequently typed characters on a keyboard more accessible to people who have difficulty using the standard keyboard layout (called the "QWERTY" layout).

Dvorak keyboard layouts reduce the amount of motion required to type common English text. Use of these layouts may also help avoid some types of repetitive strain injuries associated with typing.

Studies have also shown an increase in typing speed and accuracy when using the Dvorak layout for two hands. The left-hand or right-hand keyboard layouts can also be useful for people who type with a wand."

Introducing the Dvorak Keyboard
By Marcus Brooks

A Brief Primer
by Randy Cassingham




See all Topics

windows

Labels: General, Hardware, History, Tutorials

A fast way in

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

The competition grows

"A googol is the large number 10¹⁰⁰, that is, the digit 1 followed by one hundred zeroes. The term was coined in 1938 by nine-year-old Milton Sirotta, nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner."

Labels: General, Search

Finger tricks

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Accessibility Options.
   
   
2. On the Mouse tab, under MouseKeys, select the Use MouseKeys check box.
   
   
3. To turn off MouseKeys, clear the Use MouseKeys check box.

1. Press left ALT + left SHIFT + NUM LOCK.
   
   
2. In the MouseKeys message dialog box, press SPACEBAR to clear the Turn off keyboard shortcut for this accessibility feature check box.
   
   
3. Press TAB, and then press ENTER.

Labels: Customize, General, Hardware, Tips, Tutorials

I remember PKZip

Compressing files, folders, and programs decreases their size and reduces the amount of space they use on your drives or removable storage devices Drive compression decreases the amount of space used by all of the files and folders stored on that drive.
Windows supports two types of compression: NTFS compression and compression using the Compressed (zipped) Folders feature.

NTFS compression versus Compressed (zipped) Folders

NTFS compression

• If you do not have an NTFS drive, this option is not available. To determine whether your drive is formatted with NTFS, open My Computer, right-click a drive, and then click Properties. The file system is indicated on the General tab.
  
  
• You can compress individual files and folders using NTFS compression, as well as entire NTFS drives.
  
  
• You can compress a folder without compressing its contents.
  
  
• You can work with NTFS-compressed files without decompressing them.
  
  
• You can display NTFS-compressed file and folder names in a different color to make them easier to identify.
  
  
• You may notice a decrease in performance when working with NTFS-compressed files. When you open a compressed file, Windows automatically decompresses it for you, and when you close the file, Windows compresses it again. This process may decrease your computers performance.
  
  
• NTFS-compressed files and folders only remain compressed while they are stored on an NTFS drive.
  
  
• You cannot encrypt an NTFS-compressed file.
  
  
• NTFS file encryption is not available on Windows XP Home Edition.

Compressed (zipped) Folders

• Files and folders that are compressed using the Compressed (zipped) Folders feature remain compressed on both FAT and NTFS drives.
  
  
• You can run some programs directly from these compressed folders without decompressing them. You can also open files directly from compressed folders.
  
  
• Zipped compressed files and folders can be moved to any drive or folder on your computer, the Internet, or your network, and they are compatible with other file compression programs.
  
  
• Folders compressed using this feature are identified by a zipper icon.
  
  
• You can protect files in a zipped compressed folder with a password.
  
  
• Compressing folders using Compressed (zipped) Folders will not decrease your computer's performance.
  
  
• To compress individual files using Compressed (zipped) Folders, create a compressed folder and then move or copy the files to that folder.

"In classic Microsoft fashion, a third-party feature—file compression in this case—has become so useful and widely utilized that Microsoft has decided to include it in the operating system.
Also in classic fashion, Microsoft implements this new feature with limited functionality—just enough to tantalize you, but if you want full functionality, you still need to get the third-party product. The new compressed folders feature in Windows Server 2003 provides similar capabilities as third-party add-ons such as PKZip and WinZip. But can it be used as a replacement? If you just want to be able to compress files, yes. However, the Zip programs (particularly WinZip) provide additional features that might make it worth the cost."

"Much like Linus Torvalds, father of the Linux operating system, the name Phil Katz isn't familiar to most home computer users of today. Mention his name to anyone who's been involved with the hobby since the very beginning, however, and you'll likely get a nod of recognition and a grin. Phil's story is fascinating but cut short by tragedy.

On April 14, 2000, Phil Katz was found dead in a Milwaukee motel room. An empty bottle of peppermint schnapps was still clutched in his hand, and five more empties were scattered about the room. It was a miserable, lonely end for a man who had created a product now in use by millions of people; a product that revolutionized computer data storage and made file transfers less complicated and more efficient. He was only 37 years old when he died."

Labels: Files, General

Browser direction

Labels: General, Tips

MFU list

To remove items from the Most Frequently Used Programs list, right-click Remove from this list. However, when you run the program again, it may reappear on the list.

You can stop a program from appearing on the Most Frequently Used Programs list. No mater how often you use the program it will never appear on this list.

1. Click Start and select Run.
   
2. Type regedit and click OK.
   
3. Look for the registry key:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\
   
4. Under this key are a series of sub-keys representing the installed applications.
   
5. Choose the executable you do not want to appear on the list. (for instance Excel.exe)
   
6. Click Edit, point to New, and select String Value.
   
7. Type NoStartPage for the value name.
   
8. Close the Registry Editor.
   
9. Restart the computer.

Microsoft Support:

Prevent a Program from Being Displayed in the Most Frequently Used Programs List in Windows XP

and

Start Menu (MFU) list is empty



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, Desktop, General, Tips, Tutorials

Open, but hidden

1. Hold down the Alt key and tap the Tab Key. When you see the desired window, let go of the Alt key.
   
   
2. Hit Alt+Spacebar
   
   
3. Hit M and then use the arrow keys to get the window to the right spot.
   
   
4. Hit Esc when it's near the right spot.
   
   
5. Now drag on the edges of the window to size it. (do not use the Maximize button)

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot

Click quizzers

Unlike the kids today, not all of us were born with a mouse in our pablum glazed paw.

If you have a new user who needs practice using a Mouse, take a look at some of these links. There are some very well done games and some step by step instructions.

Ferry Halim:
Games

Seniornet.org:
Mouse Exercises

• Placing the mouse
  
• Clicking the mouse
  
• Drag and drop
  
• Drawing with the mouse

USA Quiz

Paper doll game

Queens Borough Public Library, New York:
How to use the mouse

Click tester

Shambles.net:
(This website is designed to support the international school communities in 17 countries in South East Asia.)
Mouse skills collection



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windows

Labels: General, Hardware, Tutorials

Choose your own images

1. Open the PowerPoint presentation. If you want to save a specific slide, select it in Normal view.
   
2. On the File menu, click Save As.
   
3. Select an empty folder or create a new empty folder in which to save your presentation or slide.
   
4. In the Save as type box, click Device Independent Bitmap, and then click Save. You can keep the original presentation file name or create a new name.
   
5. Click Every Slide or Current Slide Only, and then click OK.
   
6. Your presentation or slide is saved to the folder that you selected. After you close your PowerPoint presentation, you will use Windows XP to open the presentation or slide as a screen saver.
   (Animations that you may have added to the original presentation will not play when you create the screen saver. )
   
7. Close your presentation.

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Display, or right-click an empty part of the desktop and choose Properties.
   
2. On the Screen Saver tab, click My Pictures Slideshow (Photos in Vista).
   
3. Under Screen saver, click Settings.
   
4. Under How often should pictures change?, set the slider at the interval you want between pictures, or, if you are making a single slide a screen saver, move the slider to Less (three minutes) to avoid a distracting flicker on the screen during the transitions.
   
5. Under Use pictures in this folder, browse to the folder in which you saved the presentation or slide.
   
6. If you saved a single slide, clear the Use transition effects between pictures and Allow scrolling through pictures with the keyboard check boxes.
   (screen saver transition effects in this screen saver option are predesigned and do not include the transitions that you set when you created the presentation.)
   
7. Click OK.

To preview your new screen saver, on the Screen Saver tab, click Preview

Create a screen saver from slides



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windows

Labels: Customize, General

Won't someone please!

"AJ Screensaver is a freeware clock screensaver. This screensaver is based on work of others.

Several very interesting clock shockwave flash files are packed in this screensaver."

A variety of clocks appear. The web site gives links to the original artists.

Freeware: AJScreenSaver

Anne Jan Beeks's site is part of a ring that includes:
Free Screensavers.com




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windows

Labels: Customize, General

Cougar Gold

"Paint.NET originated as a Computer Science senior design project during the Spring 2004 semester at Washington State University.

Paint.NET v3+ is image and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. Paint.NET is jointly developed at Washington State University with additional help from Microsoft, and is meant to be a free replacement for the MS Paint software that comes with all Windows operating systems. The programming language used to create Paint.NET is C#, with GDI+ extensions.

It has been compared to other digital photo editing software packages such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop Pro, Microsoft Photo Editor, and The GIMP."

Paint.NET free download

Tutorials

To order Cougar Gold Cheddar Cheese see:
The Creamery



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windows

Labels: Add-in, General, Tutorials

Web based Newsreader

"The Web-based Newsreader allows you to participate in discussion groups directly in your Web browser; you don't need to install or configure anything. You can use the Web-based Newsreader to read, post, search for, and reply to messages in discussion groups from the part of Usenet that concerns Microsoft products and technologies."

Labels: General

Really basic

To create a file that time-dates entries, on the first line of a Notepad document, type the following extension at the left margin, making sure you use all uppercase letters and include the period:

.LOG

After making an entry, save Notepad. When you next open the file, the previous date and time will be displayed.

You can, also insert the date and time by clicking Edit and select Time/Date, or just press F5. The current date and time will automatically be inserted into your file.

You can also change the Font on the Format menu and change the page layout on File>Page Setup.

To work with Headers and Footers,
On the File menu, click Page Setup.
In the Header or Footer box, type the letter and character combination from the following list:

Insert the open file's name or (untitled) if the file has no name.

&f

Insert the date.

&d

Insert the time specified by your computer's clock.

&t

Insert page numbers.

&p

Insert an ampersand (&).

&&

Align the header or footer to the left, center, or right.

&l, &c, or &r

• You can use more than one combination in the Header or Footer box. Leaving a space or two between each combination will make the header or footer easier to read.
  
• To align text to the left, center, or right, you must first enter &l, &c, or &r in the Header or Footer box, followed by any other combinations you want to use.
  
• You can also incorporate text with the combinations. For example, Page &p will print out as Page 1, Page 2, and so on.

Product description

Replacing notepad in Windows Vista

Also see:

WebTech University:
Using Windows Notepad as an HTML Editor




See all Topics

windows

Labels: General, Tips

Safe or sorry, your choice

"This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs."

The Registry contains information that Windows continually references during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can create, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, what hardware exists on the system, and the ports that are being used

Here's the Microsoft support article to guide you through the process:
How to back up, edit, and restore the registry
in Windows XP, Vista and Windows Server 2003

Also:
How to backup the Windows Registry

WindowsNetworking.com :
WindowsRegistry Backup 101



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windows

Labels: Backup, General, Tutorials

What they're doing in the back room

The Microsoft Server home page is at:
Microsoft Windows Server

Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools

"The Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools are a set of tools to help administrators streamline management tasks such as troubleshooting operating system issues, managing Active Directory, configuring networking and security features, and automating application deployment:"

Labels: General, Hardware

Help yourself

"WritersUA specializes in providing quality training and publications for the community of user assistance professionals. The world of user assistance comprises a variety of techniques and technologies to make working with software a better experience. This includes online Help, wizards, web sites, printed documentation, and improvements to the application user interface."

Help writing tools
Resources

Also:
Creating "Smart Help" with Conditional Content
By Dave Gash, HyperTrain dot Com

"This article discusses several methods you can use to make Web-based Help systems "smart", by using conditional content to customize the appearance and behavior of your pages to the users' needs. "

Also:
TheFreeCountry.com:
Free Help Authoring Tools



See all Topics

windows

Labels: General, Tips

A collectors collection

• Red Hat 8.0
  
• Windows 2000 Professional and Server
  
• Windows 2003 Enterprise Server
  
• Windows Me
  
• Windows Vista
  
• Windows XP Home
  
• Windows XP Professional

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot

Change display

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
   
   
2. Locate and then click the following subkey in the registry:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   
   
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
   
   
4. Type ShowDriveLettersFirst, and then press ENTER.
   
   
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
   
   
6. Type 4, and then click OK.

Key: ShowDriveLettersFirst
Type: DWORD
Value: 1, 2, or 4
If the value is 1, the drive letter is displayed first for remote drives.
If the value is 2, drive letters are not displayed.
If the value is 4, the drive letter is displayed first for all drives.

Microsoft KB:

The computer description appears before the computer name in Windows XP

"In Windows Vista, you can also use the ShowDriveLettersFirst and the ToggleCommentPosition registry entries to set the display order. However, if you set the ShowDriveLettersFirst entry only under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key, the setting will not take effect after you change folder options. You must set the ShowDriveLettersFirst entry under both the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key and the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry key."

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

Plus or minus 32

Regedit.exe is the registration editor for 16-bit Windows. It is used to modify the Windows registration database.

Microsoft recommends that you use Regedit.exe only for its search capabilities on a Windows NT 4.0-based or Windows 2000-based computer.

Regedt32.exe is the configuration editor for Windows NT. It is used to modify the Windows NT configuration database, or the Windows NT registry. This editor allows you to view or modify the Windows NT registry.

The editor provides views of windows that represent sections of the registry, named hives. You must use extreme caution when you use it to change registry values.

Missing or incorrect values in the registry can make the Windows NT installation unusable.

Meryl.net:
An explanation with follow-up links.
A Tale of Two Regeds
By Meryl K. Evans

Also:
Editing the Vista Registry



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, General, Troubleshoot, Tutorials

Hands on control

"You can use Command-line reference to familiarize yourself with new and enhanced command-line tools, to configure your command prompt, to learn about the command shell, and to automate command-line tasks by using batch files or scripting tools."

"The command shell is a separate software program that provides direct communication between the user and the operating system. The non-graphical command shell user interface provides the environment in which you run character-based applications and utilities.

The command shell executes programs and displays their output on the screen by using individual characters similar to the MS-DOS command interpreter Command.com.

The Windows XP command shell uses the command interpreter Cmd.exe, which loads applications and directs the flow of information between applications, to translate user input into a form that the operating system understands."

Labels: DOS, General

Eat your heart out Dvorak

Ever wanted to quickly and easily define your own keyboard layout for a language Microsoft doesn't support? Or define your own keyboard layout so you can quickly and easily enter your favorite symbols with a simple keystroke? Well, want no more: the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator is here!

The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) extends the international functionality of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista (MSKLC will not run on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME or Windows NT4) by allowing users to:

• Create new keyboard layouts from scratch
  
• Base a new layout on an existing one
  
• Modify an existing keyboard layout and build a new layout from it
  
• Multilingual input locales within edit control fields.
  
• Package the resulting keyboard layouts for subsequent delivery and installation.

Global Development and Computing Portal:
Windows Keyboard Layouts
(many different language keyboards)

Belarusian keyboard

Labels: Customize, General, Hardware, Tutorials

Before the service call

• Restarting the computer
  
• Unplugging the router
  
• Unplugging the modem

Labels: General, IE, Vista

When your machine has the snivels

"There are a couple of ways to show the Windows Task Manager: hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and press the Delete key - Task Manager will then open some versions of Windows, in others you will be presented with a small dialog box that has a button you can click to open the Task Manager; alternatively you can right-click on empty space on the Taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu."

Labels: General, Troubleshoot

XP bother

1. Right-click a empty space on your desktop and choose Properties.
   
2. Click the Desktop tab.
   
3. Choose Customize Desktop.
   
4. Remove the check mark next to Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days.

Labels: Desktop, General, Tips

Add Info

When you download pictures from your digital camera, they end up with incomprehensible name such as IMG_0284.JPG, or _MG_2640.CR2.

To make them more useful:

1. Select all those files from Xmas. You can use Ctrl to group them, or use Ctrl+A to select all the files in that folder.
   
   
2. Right click the selection and choose Rename.
   
   
3. Pick a descriptive title, such as 2007 Xmas Party.
   
   
4. Hit Enter
   
   
5. All of the selected files will be renamed "2007 Xmas Party.JPG”, "2007 Xmas Party.CR2”, "2007 Xmas Party(2).JPG”, "2007 Xmas Party(2).CR2”, "2007 Xmas Party(3).JPG” "2007 Xmas Party(3).CR2”.
   
   The extensions will remain the same.

Labels: Explorer, General, Tricks

Storage area

Labels: Customize, General, IE, Troubleshoot

Search machine

"The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry.

It has the options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping.

It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Windows Vista, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007.

Labels: Add-in, General, Troubleshoot

Get a little, lose a little

"Beginning in 2007, daylight saving time (DST) will be extended in the United States. DST will start on March 11, 2007, which is three weeks earlier than usual, and it will end on November 4, 2007, which is one week later than usual .This results in a new DST period that is four weeks longer than in previous years.

Unless certain updates are applied to your computer, the time zone settings for your computer's system clock may be incorrect during this four-week period. In particular, you must make sure that both your Windows operating system and your calendar programs are updated.

Home users: If you use Windows Vista or have Automatic Updates turned on, you may not be affected by the change in daylight saving time. If you want to confirm, follow the steps in the Daylight Saving Time Update Guide.

IT professionals and IT managers: The Daylight Saving Time Update Guide will lead you to KB articles and downloads"

Support.Microsoft.com:.
DST Help and Support Center

Also see"
Go Back 23 Hours



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windows

Labels: General, Time, Troubleshoot

On your demand

Labels: General, Tutorials

Time Server

1. Double click on the date and time on the taskbar to open the time applet.
   
   
2. Click on the Internet Time tab.
   
   
3. Choose a time server, and click on the Update Now button.

As long as you are connected to the internet, Windows will attempt to synchronize the time once per week.

You can type the name of a time server if you want to use one that is not listed. Only time servers that use the Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) will work. Inserting an Internet address that uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) will not work.

The time server time.windows.com is operated by Microsoft. The time server time.nist.gov is operated by the U.S. government. Other time servers provided by your computer's manufacturer might also be listed.

Also:
Time Flies Like an Arrow

Labels: General, Time

Eavesdrop on the experts

Labels: General, Tips, Vista

2007 is lacking

"Yes, unfortunately, the Insert from Scanner and Camera feature was removed in Office 2007.
This was a difficult call, but I think for the best of the product overall. The feature supported a limited number of scanners and the camera support had not been updated for some time.
We came to the conclusion that most users would be better off using the software that came with their camera, scanner or even built into Windows, to get their images from their device, to the file system, and then use the Insert Picture command to get them into Office.
The downside, is that for some users, this feature did work and so will be missed."

"The From Scanner or Camera option for adding pictures to a presentation, photo album, or workbook is not available in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 or Microsoft Office Excel 2007.

Instead, you can add pictures from your camera or scanner by downloading the pictures to your computer first, and then copying them from your computer into PowerPoint or Excel."

Support.Microsoft.com
How to insert scanned images in Office 2007

You could also use the Microsoft Document Imaging/Scanning application.
About Microsoft Office Document Imaging

BTW, when the article calls for clicking on the Scan button, it's actually the picture of a scanner.





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windows

Labels: Add-in, General