Video on Windows 7 security features

You might remember the terror of the Vista UAC. Well, thankfully Windows 7 isn't quite as annoying when it comes to security.

Christian Hall from PCAnswers magazine shows you how to safeguard your PC and understand the security notifications.

Useful Run Commands More Than 100

1. Accessibility Controls - access.cpl
2. Accessibility Wizard - accwiz
3. Add Hardware Wizard - hdwwiz.cpl
4. Add/Remove Programs - appwiz.cpl
5. Administrative Tools - control admintools
6. Automatic Updates - wuaucpl.cpl
7. Bluetooth Transfer Wizard - fsquirt
8. Calculator - calc
9. Certificate Manager - certmgr.msc
10. Character Map - charmap
11. Check Disk Utility - chkdsk
12. Clipboard Viewer - clipbrd
13. Command Prompt - cmd
14. Component Services - dcomcnfg
15. Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
16. Control Panel - control
17. Date and Time Properties - timedate.cpl
18. DDE Shares - ddeshare
19. Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
20. Direct X Troubleshooter - dxdiag
21. Disk Cleanup Utility - cleanmgr
22. Disk Defragment - dfrg.msc
23. Disk Management - diskmgmt.msc
24. Disk Partition Manager - diskpart
25. Display Properties - control desktop
26. Display Properties - desk.cpl
27. Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility - drwtsn32
28. Driver Verifier Utility - verifier
29. Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
30. Files and Settings Transfer Tool - migwiz

31. File Signature Verification Tool - sigverif
32. Findfast - findfast.cpl
33. Firefox - firefox
34. Folders Properties - control folders
35. Fonts - control fonts
36. Fonts Folder - fonts
37. Free Cell Card Game - freecell
38. Game Controllers - joy.cpl
39. Group Policy Editor (for xp professional) - gpedit.msc
40. Hearts Card Game - mshearts
41. Help and Support - helpctr
42. HyperTerminal - hypertrm
43. Iexpress Wizard - iexpress
44. Indexing Service - ciadv.msc
45. Internet Connection Wizard - icwconn1
46. Internet Explorer - iexplore
47. Internet Properties - inetcpl.cpl
48. Keyboard Properties - control keyboard
49. Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
50. Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
51. Logs You Out Of Windows - logoff
52. Malicious Software Removal Tool - mrt
53. Microsoft Chat - winchat
54. Microsoft Movie Maker - moviemk
55. Microsoft Paint - mspaint
56. Microsoft Syncronization Tool - mobsync
57. Minesweeper Game - winmine
58. Mouse Properties - control mouse
59. Mouse Properties - main.cpl
60. Netmeeting - conf
61. Network Connections - control netconnections
62. Network Connections - ncpa.cpl
63. Network Setup Wizard - netsetup.cpl
64. Notepad - notepad
65. Object Packager - packager
66. ODBC Data Source Administrator - odbccp32.cpl
67. On Screen Keyboard - osk
68. Outlook Express - msimn
69. Paint - pbrush
70. Password Properties - password.cpl
71. Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
72. Performance Monitor - perfmon
73. Phone and Modem Options - telephon.cpl
74. Phone Dialer - dialer
75. Pinball Game - pinball
76. Power Configuration - powercfg.cpl
77. Printers and Faxes - control printers
78. Printers Folder - printers
79. Regional Settings - intl.cpl
80. Registry Editor - regedit
81. Registry Editor - regedit32
82. Remote Access Phonebook - rasphone
83. Remote Desktop - mstsc
84. Removable Storage - ntmsmgr.msc
85. Removable Storage Operator Requests - ntmsoprq.msc
86. Resultant Set of Policy (for xp professional) - rsop.msc
87. Scanners and Cameras - sticpl.cpl
88. Scheduled Tasks - control schedtasks
89. Security Center - wscui.cpl
90. Services - services.msc
91. Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
92. Shuts Down Windows - shutdown
93. Sounds and Audio - mmsys.cpl
94. Spider Solitare Card Game - spider
95. SQL Client Configuration - cliconfg
96. System Configuration Editor - sysedit
97. System Configuration Utility - msconfig
98. System Information - msinfo32
99. System Properties - sysdm.cpl
100. Task Manager - taskmgr
101. TCP Tester - tcptest
102. Telnet Client - telnet
103. User Account Management - nusrmgr.cpl
104. Utility Manager - utilman
105. Windows Address Book - wab
106. Windows Address Book Import Utility - wabmig
107. Windows Explorer - explorer
108. Windows Firewall - firewall.cpl
109. Windows Magnifier - magnify
110. Windows Management Infrastructure - wmimgmt.msc
111. Windows Media Player - wmplayer
112. Windows Messenger - msmsgs
113. Windows System Security Tool - syskey
114. Windows Update Launches - wupdmgr
115. Windows Version - winver
116. Wordpad - write
117. To check that XP hasn't any corrupt system files - sfc /scannow

Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator?

Method 1

Click Start, Run and type this command exactly as given below: (better - Copy and paste)

REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Method 2

Download and run this REG fix and double-click it.

Method 3

• Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
• Navigate to the following branch:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies\ System

• In the right-pane, delete the value named DisableTaskMgr
• Close Regedit.exe

Method 4: Using Group Policy Editor - for Windows XP Professional

• Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK.
• Navigate to this branch:

User Configuration / Administrative Templates / System / Ctrl+Alt+Delete Options / Remove Task Manager

• Double-click the Remove Task Manager option.
• Set the policy to Not Configured.

How to remove New Folder.exe Virus?

Virus also known as- IT University Sohanad W32.HLLW.Ssdx newfolder.exe

If this virus infected in you computer, It will Disable the following …

Task Manager, Registry Editor, Folder Options, Run in start menu

And it will create exes like the icon of folders. If this virus is running it will use more than 50 % of your processor

Download following tools to remove new folder.exe virus

Download Tool 1 | Download Tool 2 ( run tools In safe mode )

Manually remove it (new folder.exe Fix)

Delete File named svichossst.exe

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
“@”=[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
“Yahoo Messengger”=

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
“Shell”=”Explorer.exe “

How to make Windows XP Genuine?

Steps to make your windows xp genuine:

1. You need to download and install(after downloading it to your hard disk, double click the file and click "YES") the registry file. You can download here:

Click here to download the registry file.

2. Open this Genuine Microsoft Software site: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx and on right of the website, below Validate Now tab you will find "Validate Windows". Click that. Validation will takes place and if your windows is validated it will show

"Validation Complete!

Thank you for completing the validation process and for using genuine Microsoft software."

or

3. It will tell you to download a software. Run that software and it will automatically takes you to Validation Complete Page

Reduce Microsoft Windows booting time.

You can decrease the windows booting time by using following tips:

First
-------------------------
1. Click at the Start icon
2. Then click run
3. Type msconfig, which will open a new window.
4. Select startup then check the programs which u wish to run at start up. Un check rest of them which u do not want to run at start up. After that restart your windows.

Second
--------------------------
open the folder c:\windows\temp and then delete everything in it, select all and delete

Third ( it will also increase your internet speed)
--------------------------
1. open documents and settings folder

2. choose your login folder

3. unhide everything from folder options
4. you will find a folder local settings
5. open the temp folder
6. delete everything in it, select all and delete
7. come back to local settings folder
8. open temp internet files folder
9. delete everything in it, select all and delete

At last re-boot your machine, you will find that atleast.

Different ways to shutdown your PC.

There are so many different ways to turn off your Windows XP computer, let's look at some of them:

1. The standard approach - click the Start Button with your mouse, then select the Turn Off menu and finally click the Turn Off icon on the Turn Off computer dialog.
2. Press Ctrl+Esc key or the Win key and press U two times - the fastest approach.
3. Get the Shutdown utility from Download.com - it add the shut down shortcuts for you. Else create them yourself using approach (4).
4. Create a shutdown shortcut on your desktop. Right click on the desktop, choose New Shortcut and type shutdown -s -t 00 in the area where you are asked to specify the location of the program file. Now you can just double click this icon to turn off the computer. The best location would be your quick launch bar.
5. Press the Win key + R key to open the run window. Type shutdown -s -t 00. [s means shutdown while t means the duration after which you want to initiate the shutdown process]. If some open processes or application won't let you turn off, append a -f switch to force a shutdown by closing all active processes.
6. Win+M to minimize all windows and then Alt+F4 to bring the Turn Off computer dialog.
7. Open Windows Task manager (by right clicking the Windows Task bar or Alt+Ctrl+Del) and choose Shut down from the menu. Useful when the Windows are not responding.
8. open task manager - click on shutdown - hold the ctrl key and click on Turn off, pc will be turned off in 3 secs. Fastest method other than hard shutdown.

Lock your desktop with just two mouse clicks.

To lock your XP work-station with just two clicks of the mouse.

> First create a new shortcut on your desktop using a right mouse click
> Enter 'rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation' in the location field.
> Name the shortcut whatever you like.
> Then just double click on it and your computer will be instantly locked.
> The Windows key + L also does the same thing.

Moving Hard Drive to Another Computer

To remove the devices from device manager when taking a Hard Disk from one computer to another, simply:

> Run Regedit
> Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ and delete the Enum section

This removes all of the hardware specific settings.

Comparing Registries

While working with changes to your system, you might want to see what is changing in your Registry. Since you can export it to a text file, the steps are fairly easy:

> Start Regedit
> With the very top level select - My Computer, on the Toolbar select Registry / Export Registry File
> I usually save it to the root of the C: drive with the name before (you don't need to add an extension)
> Make the change to your system
> Go back to Regedit
> Press F5 to update it
> Export the Registry like step 2
> Name the file after and have it go in the same directory
> Open up a DOS window
> Go to the directory where the two exported files are
> Enter FC before.reg after.reg > diff.txt
> Then you can edit diff.txt with your favorite text editor.

Note: I do the last steps so often, I have a simple batch file already set up.

No Java in Windows XP

Microsoft has announced it will not include support for the Java programming language in the upcoming Windows XP. After settling a lawsuit with Java creator Sun Microsystems in January, the software giant decided the easiest way to prevent further litigation was to simply remove the code entirely.

The settlement stipulated that Microsoft would no longer license Java from Sun, and refrain from stating that Windows is "Java Compatible." Outdated Java support will remain available as an added download from Windows Update if required. Java's removal from the software giant's new operating system comes on the heels of announcements surrounding .NET, Microsoft Web services based on XML.

These services are accessed over the Internet from a variety of devices. Coincidentally, Sun has been developing its own Java-based version of .NET, dubbed Jini. However, Microsoft vehemently denies claims that it intends to phase out support for Java as an attack on Sun.

Volume Icon in Taskbar

It's really handy to have access to the Volume Control panel in the event you quickly need to move the volume slider up or down. In its default state, XP ships with almost a clean slate for both the desktop and taskbar. So, if you'd like to place the volume control icon in the taskbar, you're going to need to make a little adjustment.

To place the volume control icon in the taskbar, follow these steps:

> Single-click the Start menu.
> Single-click Control Panel.
> Single-click Sound, Speech, and Audio Devices.
> Single-click Sounds and Audio Devices to launch the Sound and Audio Devices properties.
> On the Volume tab, locate the text labeled "Device Volume" and place a check mark next to the text labeled "Place volume icon in the taskbar."
> Single-click Apply.

You should now have the volume icon in the taskbar. Now all you need to do is double-click this icon to bring up your Volume Control Panel.

Custom User Icons

If you plan on getting a copy of XP, one of the first things you're going to do is set up a user account. Why not give your user account its very own picture? It's OK if you don't want to use a picture of your own because Windows comes with at least 20 beautiful pictures to choose from.

Here's how you can customize your user account icon.


> Single-click the start menu and choose Control Panel.
> Single-click the User Accounts icon.
> Find the user account you'd like to change the icon for and click on it.
> Click the text that says "Change My Picture."
> You'll have the option to either pick one of the predefined icons or choose your own.
> If you like one of the predefined icons, just highlight the one you like and click the button labeled "Change Picture."
> If you'd like to use your own picture, just click the magnifying glass or the text labeled "Browse for more pictures." This will launch a dialog box directing you to navigate to where your new picture is stored. After you find it, just click Open to save your new changes.

Run Commands

compmgmt.msc - Computer management
devmgmt.msc - Device manager
diskmgmt.msc - Disk management
dfrg.msc - Disk defrag
eventvwr.msc - Event viewer
fsmgmt.msc - Shared folders
gpedit.msc - Group policies
lusrmgr.msc - Local users and groups
perfmon.msc - Performance monitor
rsop.msc - Resultant set of policies
secpol.msc - Local security settings
services.msc - Various Services
msconfig - System Configuration Utility
regedit - Registry Editor
msinfo32 _ System Information
sysedit _ System Edit
win.ini _ windows loading information(also system.ini)
winver _ Shows current version of windows
mailto: _ Opens default email client
command _ Opens command prompt

How to enable Run As command

For Windows Vista, this Run As command is available in all versions. If you're not yet running Vista, you can still stick to XP. Yeah, this Run As is not enough to convince you to make a switch obviously.

To enable Run As in Windows XP or Windows 2000, you need to run related service.

For Windows XP,

* Go to Control Panel -->> Administrative Templates
* Double Click Services
* In the right panel, find Secondary Logon and double click.
* For startup type, choose Automatic and click Start.
* After that click OK.

Now secondary logon service is running. So that you can start using Run As command by right click on the program you want to run and choose Run As.

For Windows 2000, you do the same procedure, but look for the service named "RunAs".

How to enable Run As command

For Windows Vista, this Run As command is available in all versions. If you're not yet running Vista, you can still stick to XP. Yeah, this Run As is not enough to convince you to make a switch obviously.

To enable Run As in Windows XP or Windows 2000, you need to run related service.

For Windows XP,

• Go to Control Panel -->> Administrative Templates
• Double Click Services
• In the right panel, find Secondary Logon and double click.
• For startup type, choose Automatic and click Start.
• After that click OK.
  

Now secondary logon service is running. So that you can start using Run As command by right click on the program you want to run and choose Run As.

For Windows 2000, you do the same procedure, but look for the service named "RunAs".

Workarounds if your XP can't remember folder settings

Some folder you want to view as thumbnails, for some you want to view as Tiles and for some you may want List, Icons, or Details. Your Windows used to remember all those settings for you and suddenly, your computer looks like it got brain washed. What is happening? Firstly, make sure you select Remember each folder's view settings in Control Panel -->> Folder Options as in the following diagram.


Even after that, if your XP still dumbs, the answer is that by default, Windows XP is limited to 200 local folders and 200 network folders, for a total of 400 folders. So that after it remembers for 400 folders, that's it. It's full.

How you can solve this?

First Method :

This effect only to before Windows XP SP2. So the quick fix would be to download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2. What if you don't want to install Service Pack 2 for some reasons? Read the second way.

Second Method :

You need to edit registry. As always dealing with registry, use it with great caution and use at your own risk.

• Go to Start Menu -->> Run
• Type regedit and press Enter.
• Browse to the following registry key.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
• You will see the registry value BagMRU Size in the following pic.

Double click on that and change the value to 5000. Make sure you select Decimal. After that click OK.

• After that browse to another registry key.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam>
• Change the BagMRU Size to 5000 too.
  

After you've done editing the registry, make sure you restart your Windows to make change effective. Hey, Windows is not as dumb as you think!

How to Disable/Enable Windows default debugger Dr. Watson

If you haven't heard it before, you may wonder what is Dr. Watson? Here is a brief explanation:

Dr. Watson for Windows is a program error debugger that gathers information about your computer when an error (or user-mode fault) occurs with a program. Technical support groups can use the information that Dr. Watson obtains and logs to diagnose a program error.

So, that means this debugger will collect information and send to Microsoft for further analysis. But for your testing computer that don't have internet, or if you feel it's useless for you anyway, just follow these steps to turn off.

* 1.Go to Start Menu -->> Run and type regedit.exe then press Enter.
* 2.Browse to the following registry. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug
* 3.Click the AeDebug key, and then click Export Registry File on the Registry menu. Save the file and remember it.
* 4.Then you can delete the AeDebug key.
That's it! Whenever any programs crash again, Windows won't ask you whether you want to send data to Microsoft or not.

If you change your mind and want to enable Dr. Watson back. It's easy.

* Double-click the file you save in step 3.
* And then go to Start -->> Run -->> cmd.exe
* At the command prompt, type drwtsn32 -i

Windows Vista SP1 Beta

Microsoft has just released Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta yesterday. According to Nick White announcements, currently the beta sp1 is available only to a private group of Beta testers.

Here is the my highlights about SP1.

* Have a size range from 51MB - 679.6MB depending on how often you update your Windows
* Improve responsiveness - The delay between pressing CTRL-ALT-DELETE and getting the password prompt, resuming from Hibernation or Sleep are pretty much gone
* Search option has been removed from the Start menu, instead "Search Everywhere" with users can choose their favorite desktop search program such as Google Desktop.
* Select Volumes - a new option in Windows Vista's Disk Defragmenter
* BitLocker Control Panel - users of Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate are now able to choose which drives to encrypt

After I have read about all new exciting features, I wish I am one of the private beta testers. Anyway, I'll be eagerly waiting for the new SP1 to come out.

Create self-extract zip file with Windows built-in tool

We all like the zip feature. Especially when I transfer a lot of .doc and .xls files, compression of zip save me a ton of space. But sometimes, I want to create exe to uncompress itself due to destination computer don't have zip software install or I'm just too lazy to open WinZip.

What most people don't know is that Windows has built-in tool to create self-extract compress files.

* Go to Start Menu -->> Run
* And then type iexpress.exe

You will see the following wizard.

* Click Next, then Choose "Create compressed files only (ActiveX installs)"
* Then Click Next, Add the files you want in your package.
* Then Click Next, click browse and choose the path you want and give any name you want to the package.
* Then Click Next, you can save the setting for creating your package. For now, select "Don't save".
* Then Click Next and your package is ready to distribute to anywhere you like.


It is quite amazing that Windows have provided such an amazing small program for free.