Quickly Enable or Disable Windows Features On The Command Prompt
Microsoft no longer includes certain features to windows systems starting from windows vista by default. It is still available but must be installed or enabled by the user. The normal way to enabled these features is through the “Turn Windows features on or off” window found in Control Panel. This accomplishes the task but can be annoying when you are working in Command Prompt and need to use the telnet command immediately.
Instead of going to Control Panel, the following way is considered better by many administrators (including me). Simply run this command with elevated administrative rights at the command prompt:
dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:TelnetServer
The Telnet Server should be immediately available after the dism command has successfully been completed.
Posted in Recent Posts, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Features, Windows Vista by Stan with comments disabled.
Xampp 1.8.3 with phpmyadmin 4.1.12 Storage Configuration NOT Complete
I recently installed the latest Xampp with phpMyAdmin version 4.1.12 and noticed the following error messages after the installation process:
The phpMyAdmin configuration storage is not completely configured, some extended features have been deactivated. To find out why click [here].
… and clicking the link showed the following errors:
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘users’] … not OK [ Documentation ]
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘usergroups’] … not OK [ Documentation ] Configurable menus: Disabled
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘navigationhiding’] … not OK [ Documentation ] Hide/show navigation items: Disabled
The fix is simple:
STEP1:
Run the following query on the phpmyadmin database:
==================== START ===================
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `pma_users` (
`username` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
`usergroup` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`username`,`usergroup`)
)
COMMENT=’Users and their assignments to user groups’
DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_bin;
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `pma_usergroups` (
`usergroup` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
`tab` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
`allowed` enum(‘Y’,’N’) NOT NULL DEFAULT ‘N’,
PRIMARY KEY (`usergroup`,`tab`,`allowed`)
)
COMMENT=’User groups with configured menu items’
DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_bin;
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `pma_navigationhiding` (
`username` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
`item_name` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
`item_type` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
`db_name` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
`table_name` varchar(64) NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`username`,`item_name`,`item_type`,`db_name`,`table_name`)
)
COMMENT=’Hidden items of navigation tree’
DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_bin;
==================== STOP ===================
STEP2:
Add the following lines to your phpMyAdmin config.inc.php file:
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘users’] = ‘pma_users’;
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘usergroups’] = ‘pma_usergroups’;
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘navigationhiding’] = ‘pma_navigationhiding’;
STEP3:
Logout and log back into phpMyAdmin
That’s it!
Enjoy 😉
Update:
Upgrading to phpMyAdmin 4.2.5 caused a similar problem but with ONLY one error.
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘savedsearches’] … not OK [ Documentation ] Saved searches: Disabled
The solution is simply the same as above…
Execute the following query:
==================== START ===================
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `pma_savedsearches` (
`id` int(5) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
`username` varchar(64) NOT NULL default ”,
`db_name` varchar(64) NOT NULL default ”,
`search_name` varchar(64) NOT NULL default ”,
`search_data` text NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
UNIQUE KEY `u_savedsearches_username_dbname` (`username`,`db_name`,`search_name`)
)
COMMENT=’Saved searches’
DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_bin;
==================== STOP ===================
STEP2:
Add the following lines to your phpMyAdmin config.inc.php file:
$cfg[‘Servers’][$i][‘savedsearches’] = ‘pma_savedsearches’;
STEP3:
Logout and log back into phpMyAdmin
Posted in Vista, Web Design, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and tagged local web server, mysql, php, phpmyadmin, web server, xampp by Stan with comments disabled.
Huge list of Windows 7 Shell Commands
Below is a huge list of Windows 7 Shell commands that are incredibly useful when creating shortcuts or quickly accessing hard to get to locations. I got this list some time ago from somewhere in the internet and decided to repost it here for my easy reach. They can be used to pin shortcuts to the Taskbar or just to make your life easier. For those that are preceded by “Shell:” when using them in shortcuts you need to add “explorer.exe” in front of them. It should then look like this: explorer.exe shell:Personal
Windows 7 Only
shell:Libraries
shell:MusicLibrary
shell:VideosLibrary
shell:OtherUsersFolder
shell:Device Metadata Store
shell:PublicSuggestedLocations
shell:DocumentsLibrary
shell:User Pinned
shell:UsersLibrariesFolder
shell:PicturesLibrary
shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts
shell:Ringtones
shell:CommonRingtones
Windows Vista & 7
shell:Common Programs
shell:GameTasks
shell:UserProfiles
shell:MyComputerFolder
shell:SyncSetupFolder
shell:DpapiKeys
shell:SamplePlaylists
shell:Favorites
shell:My Video
shell:SearchHomeFolder
shell:System
shell:CommonVideo
shell:SyncResultsFolder
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir
shell:Cookies
shell:Original Images
shell:CommonMusic
shell:My Pictures
shell:Cache
shell:Downloads
shell:CommonDownloads
shell:AppData
shell:SyncCenterFolder
shell:My Music
shell:ConflictFolder
shell:SavedGames
shell:InternetFolder
shell:Quick Launch
shell:SystemCertificates
shell:Contacts
shell:TreePropertiesFolder
shell:Profile
shell:Start Menu
shell:Common AppData
shell:PhotoAlbums
shell:ConnectionsFolder
shell:Administrative Tools
shell:PrintersFolder
shell:Default Gadgets
shell:ProgramFilesX86
shell:Searches
shell:Common Startup
shell:ControlPanelFolder
shell:SampleVideos
shell:SendTo
shell:ResourceDir
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:CredentialManager
shell:PrintHood
shell:MAPIFolder
shell:CD Burning
shell:AppUpdatesFolder
shell:Common Start Menu
shell:LocalAppDataLow
shell:Templates
shell:Gadgets
shell:Programs
shell:Recent
shell:SampleMusic
shell:Desktop
shell:CommonPictures
shell:RecycleBinFolder
shell:CryptoKeys
shell:Common Templates
shell:Startup
shell:Links
shell:OEM Links
shell:SamplePictures
shell:Common Desktop
shell:NetHood
shell:Games
shell:Common Administrative Tools
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder
shell:SystemX86
shell:History
shell:AddNewProgramsFolder
shell:Playlists
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86
shell:PublicGameTasks
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
shell:Public
shell:Common Documents
shell:CSCFolder
shell:Local AppData
shell:Windows
shell:UsersFilesFolder
shell:ProgramFilesCommon
shell:Fonts
shell:Personal
Windows 7 Shortcuts
I compiled the following list with an early Alpha build of Windows 7. It is possible that some of these have changed with newer versions. If you find one that is wrong please let me know so I can correct it.
Wireless Networks pop-up
rundll32.exe van.dll,RunVAN
Advanced Restore
sdclt.exe /restorewizardadmin
Restore Files
sdclt.exe /restorewizard
Backup Location & Settings
sdclt.exe /configure
Add Network Location (wizard)
rundll32.exe shwebsvc.dll,AddNetPlaceRunDll
Indexing Options
control.exe srchadmin.dll
Notification Cache
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 5
Aero (Transparency) Off
Rundll32.exe DwmApi #104
Aero (Transparency) On
Rundll32.exe DwmApi #102
Welcome Center
rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter
Add/Remove Programs
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,0
Content Advisor
RunDll32.exe msrating.dll,RatingSetupUI
Control Panel
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL
Date and Time Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl
Display Settings
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL access.cpl,,3
Device Manager
RunDll32.exe devmgr.dll DeviceManager_Execute
Folder Options – File Types
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_Options 2
Folder Options – General
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 0
Folder Options – Search
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 2
Folder Options – View
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 7
Forgotten Password Wizard
RunDll32.exe keymgr.dll,PRShowSaveWizardExW
Hibernate
RunDll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState
Keyboard Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @1
Lock Screen
RunDll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation
Mouse Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @0
Map Network Drive
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL Connect
Network Connections
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL ncpa.cpl
Power Options
RunDll32.exe Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl
Regional Settings
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl,,3
Stored Usernames and Passwords
RunDll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr
System Properties: Advanced
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,4
System Properties: Automatic Updates
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,5
Taskbar Properties
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 1
User Accounts
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL nusrmgr.cpl
Windows Security Center
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL wscui.cpl
Windows – About
RunDll32.exe SHELL32.DLL,ShellAboutW
Unplug/Eject Hardware
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
Windows Firewall
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL firewall.cpl
Wireless Network Setup
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL NetSetup.cpl,@0,WNSW
Open Control Panel (All Items)
explorer.exe shell:::{21ec2020-3aea-1069-a2dd-08002b30309d}
Manage Wireless Networks
explorer.exe shell:::{1fa9085f-25a2-489b-85d4-86326eedcd87}
Sound Control Playback Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLmmsys.cpl
Sound Control Sounds Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLmmsys.cpl,,2
Sound Control Recording Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLmmsys.cpl,,1
Add/Remove Programs
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Windows Components
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,2
Set Program Access and Computer Defaults
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,3
People Near Me
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL collab.cpl
People Near Me Sign In Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL collab.cpl,,1
Screen Resolution
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl
Personalization
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl,,2
Screen Saver
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl,,1
Windows Firewall
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL firewall.cpl
Device Manager
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hdwwiz.cpl
Power Options
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl
Power Options Change Plan Settings
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl,,1
System Properties
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl
System Properties Hardware Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,2
System Properties Advanced Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,3
System Properties System Protection Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,4
System Properties Remote Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,5
Pen and Touch Tablet PC Settings
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL tabletpc.cpl
Pen and Touch Tablet PC Settings Flicks Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL tabletpc.cpl,,1
Pen and Touch Tablet PC Settings Handwriting Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL tabletpc.cpl,,2
Phone and Modem Options
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL telephon.cpl
Phone and Modem Options Modems Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL telephon.cpl,,1
Phone and Modems Options Advanced Tab
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL telephon.cpl,,2
Date and Time
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl
Date and Time Additional Clocks
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl,,1
Action Center
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL wscui.cpl
Unplug/Eject Hardware
RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
Internet Explorer Specific Commands
Delete Temporary Internet Files:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8
Delete Cookies:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 2
Delete History:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 1
Delete Form Data:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 16
Delete Passwords:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 32
Delete All:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 255
Delete All + files and settings stored by Add-ons:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 4351
Miscellaneous Variables
Windows Directory
%WINDIR%
%SYSTEMROOT%
Hard Drive That Contains OS
%HOMEDRIVE%
Users Home Directory
%HOMEPATH%
%USERPROFILE%
Default Temporary Directory
%TEMP%
%TMP%
Program Files
%PROGRAMFILES%
Current Users Application Data Directory
%APPDATA%
If anyone has additional ones that I have missed you can submit them and I will add them to this list
Posted in Vista, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista and tagged shell commands, windows, windows 7/8/8.1 by Stan with comments disabled.
How To Clean The MSCONFIG Startup
MSCONFIG is a Windows system configuration utility used to manage the startup applications. While this utility does its job of listing all applications (both enabled and disabled), it doesn’t have an option to delete disabled applications even they no long exist as they may already have been uninstalled from the system.
Now, these disabled applications could stay there forever without having any effects on the system but the list could grow very long. If you don’t want this list to continue to grow, you could remove the unwanted items from the list by editing the Windows registry. There are also a number of third party utilities to help take care of these unwanted items on the list. I prefer to directly edit the registry as some of these tools might prove to be harmful.
Locations of the entries in MSConfig:
The enabled/checked items are populated from the following locations:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run
and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Windows
Values named Run & Load
The disabled entries are present in these locations:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Shared Tools \ MSConfig \ startupreg
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Shared Tools \ MSConfig \ startupfolder
To remove these entries, you first have to start the registry editor (regedit.exe), backup the folder MSConfig before deleting the unwanted items’ folders.
After doing this, all the deleted entries should disappear from the MSConfig startup.
Be careful NOT to break your system. Once again remember to backup before deletion.
Posted in Vista, Windows, Windows 7 and tagged windows, windows 7, windows 8, windows vista by Stan with comments disabled.
How To Reset And Change Local Administrator Password On Remote Windows Systems
This tutorial will show you how to reset and change local administrator password on remote windows systems. This was tested on Windows XP and Windows 2003 server but should work on Vista/7/2008 operating systems.
STEPS:
1.) Download the official PsTools from microsoft directly or click here
2.) Extract the downloaded file to a folder called PsTools
3.) Just copy pspasswd.exe to your executable path “C:\Windows\System32”
4.) Open the prompt command line (star -> Run (type “cmd” + OK) and type in the following:
pspasswd \\{IP-Address} -u administrator -p {OldPasswd} administrator {NewPasswd}
whereby:
{OldPasswd} = Old Password
{NewPasswd} = New Password
{IP-Address} = System IP Address
Typing “pspasswd” displays its usage syntax.
Usage: pspasswd [\\[computer[,computer,[,…]|Domain]|@file] [-u Username [-p Pa
ssword]]] Username [NewPassword]
computer Direct PsPasswd to perform the command on the remote
computer or computers specified. If you omit the computer
name PsPasswd runs the command on the local system,
and if you specify a wildcard (\\*), PsPasswd runs the
command on all computers in the current domain.
@file PsPasswd will change the password on the computers listed
in the file.
-u Specifies optional user name for login to remote
computer.
-p Specifies optional password for user name. If you omit this
you will be prompted to enter a hidden password.
Username Specifies name of account for password change.
NewPassword New password. If ommitted a NULL password is applied.
Have fun 😉
Posted in Vista, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and tagged change password, local administrator, password, remote, reset admin password by Stan with comments disabled.
How To Remotely Enable Remote Desktop (RDP) Using PsExec
As in many situations the network administrator has task of connecting to remote systems to perform his duties. Ocassionally, the remote tasks become more difficult and frustrating when there are no remote tools available on the system and the remote desktop application is deactivated. Forturnately, Microsoft has provided a means for resolving such problems and therefore restoring back the hope of the administrator.
PsExec is one of the many PsTools Microsoft has provided for network administrors for the sole purpose of system administration. The following steps will show you how to activate RDP remotely from your local computer with the use of PsExec.
1.) Download the official PsTools either from microsoft directly or here
2.) Extract the downloaded file
3.) Just copy PsExec.exe from the extracted location into your executable path “C:\Windows\System32”.
4.) Open the prompt command line (start -> Run and type “cmd” + OK) and enter the following:
psexec -u {username} -p {password} \\{iP-Address} reg add “hklm\system\currentcontrolset\control\terminal server” /f /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 0
whereby:
{username} = Administrator (must be administrator)
{password} = Administrator’s password
{IP-Address} = System IP Address
If not already enabled, use the following commands to enable RDP traffic through the windows firewall:
psexec \\ {iP-Address} netsh firewall set service remoteadmin enable
psexec \\ {iP-Address} netsh firewall set service remotedesktop enable
Note:
To deactivate RDP, just change “0” to “1”.
Typing “psexec” displays its usage syntax.
Usage: psexec [\\computer[,computer2[,…] | @file][-u user [-p psswd]][-n s][-l][-s|-e][-x][-i [session]][-c [-f|-v]][-w directory][-d][-<priority>][-a n,n,… ] cmd [arguments]
computer Direct PsExec to run the application on the computer or computers specified. If you omit the computer name PsExec runs the application on the local system and if you enter a computer name of “\\*” PsExec runs the applications on all computers in the current domain.
@file Directs PsExec to run the command on each computer listed in the text file specified.
-a Separate processors on which the application can run with commas where 1 is the lowest numbered CPU. For example, to run the application on CPU 2 and CPU 4, enter: “-a 2,4”
-c Copy the specified program to the remote system for execution. If you omit this option then the application must be in the system’s path on the remote system.
-d Don’t wait for application to terminate. Only use this option for non-interactive applications.
-e Does not load the specified account’s profile.
-f Copy the specified program to the remote system even if the file already exists on the remote system.
-i Run the program so that it interacts with the desktop of the specified session on the remote system. If no session is specified the process runs in the console session.
-l Run process as limited user (strips the Administrators group and allows only privileges assigned to the Users group). On Windows Vista the process runs with Low Integrity.
-n Specifies timeout in seconds connecting to remote computers.
-p Specifies optional password for user name. If you omit this you will be prompted to enter a hidden password.
-s Run remote process in the System account.
-u Specifies optional user name for login to remote computer.
-v Copy the specified file only if it has a higher version number or is newer on than the one on the remote system.
-w Set the working directory of the process (relative to the remote computer).
-x Display the UI on the Winlogon desktop (local system only).
-priority Specifies -low, -belownormal, -abovenormal, -high or -realtime to run the process at a different priority. Use -background to run at low memory and I/O priority on Vista.
Enjoy!
Posted in Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and tagged enable Remote Dasktop, PsExec, RDP by Stan with 3 comments.
How To Make Bootable USB-Drive For Windows Password & Registry Editor
If you forget your Windows password and wonder if you’ll ever have the chance to log into your system again, well… this might be helpful 😉
We’re going to use “Offline NT Password & Registry Editor” to reset the password of user(s) we want. This tool is one of the best and fastest password recovery tool for windows (almost all versions). It is a windows console tool and easy to use.
Requirements:
a) USB-Drive (must NOT be formated but advisable)
b) USB-Drive formating tool (optional) found here
c) Offline NT Password & Registry Editor (USB version). Click here to download
STEPS:
Skip step 1 if you do NOT want to format the USB-Drive
1.) insert the USB-Drive into your computer and use the downloaded tool (b) above to format it. It is advisable to use FAT32 filesystem
2.) Unzip the download “Offline NT Password & Registry Tool” into a folder called “usb110511”
3.) copy all contents from the folder usb110511 into the root of the USB-Drive
4.) Install bootloader on the USB drive, from command prompt in windows (start the command line with “run as administrator” if possible)
5.) type X: + EnterKey (where X is the letter of your USB-drive) to change directory to the usb drive
6.) type X:\>syslinux.exe -ma X:
That’s it!
Safely unplug the USB-Drive from the second computer and use it to boot your system with the lost password.
It might be neccessary to adjust your BIOS settings to allow booting from the USB-Drive
Follow the instructions carefully to reset your password. Most of the default settings is safe to accept by tapping on the EnterKey. Be carefull to select the correct Windows system partition otherwise it won’t work. In some systems (standard systems from dell, compaq etc), the first partition (/dev/sda) is usually reservered.
Enjoy and best of luck!
Posted in Vista, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and tagged bootable usb, registry editor, usb, windows passwords by Stan with 12 comments.
How to Remove WGA (Windows Genuine Activation) Notifications
For some reason, microsoft has decided to integrate this little application in Windows operating system. The problem is, even if you legitimately purchased your copy of the operating system, the nagging application doesn’t stop.
Follow these steps to remove this software:
1.) First you need to start your system in “safe mode”
2.) Search for all WGA files (wga*.*) and delete all entries (you may not be able to delete WgaTray.exe and two other entries. Don’t worry!!!)
3.) Click Start -> Run, enter “regedit” and press the ENTER-Key
4.) Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
5.) delete WgaLogon folder
6.) Restart your computer (normal mode)
7.) Search again for WGA files (wga*.*) like in step 2
8.) delete all entries
9.) Restart your computer (normal mode)
You’re done!
All traces of WGA should be gone.
Posted in Vista, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and tagged WGA, windows, Windows Activation by Stan with 2 comments.
Hibernate Your PC By Creating A Button on The Windows “Quick Launch” Toolbar
If you don’t know what hibernate is, please click here to read more about this very useful feature in Windows.
The Hibernate function in Windows XP Professional can make the batteries in your laptop computer last longer.
As there is no windows standard button for hibernate in Windows XP, we can create a custom button and place it on the “Quick Launch” toolbar. Follow these steps below:
1.) start the windows explorer by right clicking on “Start” and choosing “Explore”
2.) Navigate to “C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents” and create a folder called “MyScripts”
3.) In the folder “MyScripts”, create another folder called “Hibernate”
4.) Launch the “Notepad” (Start –> All Programs –> Accessories –> Notepad)
5.) Type the following in the new document:
@echo off
%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState Hibernate
exit
6.) Save the file as “hibernate.bat” on this path:
“C:\Documents and Settings\stan\My Documents\MyScripts\hibernate.bat”
Don’t forget to choose “All Files” under “Save As Type”. Otherwise the file will be saved as a text file.
7.) Create a shortcut of the file “hibernate.bat” and place the shortcut in the folder “Hibernate” earlier on step 3.
8.) Ricght click on the shortcut and choose “Properties”.
9.) Choose to “Run” the script “Minimized”
10.) Click on “Change Icon” search the Icon of your choice. My choice is shown below:
11.) On the Windows “Toolsbar”, right click on it, navigate to “Toolsbar” and choose “New Toolbar”
12.) Navigate to the folder “Hibernate” and click on it. Click “OK” to Exit
13.) We are almost done! You can unlock your “Taskbar” and arrange the new Toolbar in any position you want.
14.) It looks very urgly for my taste. To make it look more nice, right click on the “Hibernate” Toolbar and remove the hack on “Show Text” and “Show Title” respectively.
15.) Just one more adjustment… Reduce the space occupied by the “Hibernate” Toolbar and lock the taskbar.
And the final result looks like this…
That’s it… Whenever you click on the Hibernate icon, your PC will hibernate and save you some battery consumption.
Enjoy!
Posted in Vista, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and tagged Hibernate, Shutdown, windows by Stan with 1 comment.
How to logon Windows 7 the old way “Windows XP Classic”
In XP, we used to have the ability to Ctrl-Alt-Del twice at the welcome screen to get to the standard login screen (where you get to type in your username & password). This is gone in Windows 7… Well not really ;-).
For the average user, it could be sometimes frustrating to have user accounts all over the logon screen. First, this reveals the user name making the system a little unsecure. Second, it just doesn’t look nice when you have over 30 or more user accounts all over the logon screen in a domain environment.
The good news is, there’s a way to come back to old Windows classic logon screen. Just follow these steps:
1.) Run>type: netplwiz > Advanced > check “Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete”
2.) Run > gpedit.msc > Computer Config\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Interactive logon: Do not display last user name > Enabled
Without being so strict, you could make it a little less painful for users by omitting the first step above. The result will still be nice and secure.
It’s slightly different in XP.
That’s it… enjoy!
Related forum:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/767304-windows-7-ctrl-alt-del-at-welcome-screen/
Posted in Windows, Windows 7 and tagged Classic Theme, Logon, windows 7 by Stan with comments disabled.