Showing posts with label Desktop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Desktop. Show all posts

Monday, April 16, 2012

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Get Rid Of Shortcut Arrows In Windows

By default, in Windows, every shortcut icon that is present in the desktop will contain an annoying arrow. Many don’t want that to be present in the shortcut icon. Unfortunately, there isn’t settings in control panel to remove this.

How to get rid of ugly shortcut arrows?  Here's i'm posting a trick to remove shortcut arrows from your desktop icons in Windows XP.

Removing shortcut arrow from desktop icons.
Here's how you can remove those shortcut arrows from your desktop icons in Windows XP, Vista & Windows 7.  Be sure to back up the registry before before doing any registry tweak.
Get Rid Of Shortcut Arrows In Windows1. Start regedit.
Go to registry editor by running regedit in the run box. (Refer My Earlier Post What Is Windows Registry | How To Use Windows Registry)
Warning: before you try to modify windows registry, learn how to backup windows registry. Also try to have a backup of your registry at this stage before you proceed. Read More On How To Backup Windows Registry.
Get Rid Of Shortcut Arrows In Windows
2. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTlnkfile
3. Delete the IsShortcut registry value.
4. Reboot Computer

I've done this tweak on every computer I've owned and personally I've never found a shortcut that didn't work afterwards. That's not saying it can't happen on the next build I do. I always keep a backup of the registry just in case. I also create and save a text note on each individual change so that I can refer back to it quickly if I break something.
Warning: While this solution solves the issue or problem, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk. For more information about modifying the registry, see  Microsoft support article 256986 Also Read More On How To Backup Windows Registry.
Please note that, the TweakUI program for Vista won't work on Windows 7.  There are also many tools available to make this work simple. You may use the FxVisor or TuneUp Utilities, etc., to remove or replace shortcut arrows. You can also refer this website. How to remove or modify the Shortcut overlay in Windows 7 and Vista.
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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Enable High-speed USB On Your PC| Find If Your PCs USB Ports Are Level 1.1 (slower) or 2.0 (faster)

The USB 2.0 specification was released in April 2000 and was ratified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) at the end of 2001.

Today, USB is enjoying tremendous success in the marketplace, with most peripheral vendors around the globe developing products to USB 2.0 specification. All new PCs come with one or more USB ports on the box. In fact, USB has become a key enabler of the Easy PC Initiative, an industry initiative led by Intel and Microsoft to make PCs easier to use.

Although most USB devices can connect to your computer with a USB 1.1 or 2.0 port, you won't see optimal performance without the hi-speed 2.0 connection with few latest devices or for storage needs.

You can check which levels of USB ports your Windows computer offers, and you can verify that your hi-speed USB 2.0 ports are enabled.

Enable High-speed USB On Your PC Find If Your PCs USB Ports Are Level 1.1 (slower) or 2.0 (faster)

Checking USB Port Levels

  • On your host computer, right-click the My Computer icon and select Manage.

Sometimes you may need to click Start to access the My Computer icon.

  • Click the Device Manager icon.
  • Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers entry.

If Universal Serial Bus Controllers is not listed, there is a problem with the USB controller or the USB controller is not enabled in the computer's BIOS. Please contact the computer or card manufacturer for updated drivers and/or for information on how to fix or enable the USB controller.

  • Examine the expanded entries under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. (Manufacturer names are usually listed in front of each listed controller or root hub. The controller or root hub names indicate their type and USB level.)
  • If you see names that include text such as "Enhanced Host Controller" or "USB 2.0 Root Hub Device," then the computer has USB 2.0 ports.
  • If the names include text such as Universal Host Controller," "Open Host Controller," or "USB Root Hub (Device),", then the computer has USB 1.1 ports.

Verifying Hi-Speed USB Ports Are Enabled

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports run at speeds up to 480Mbps. USB 1.1 ports run at either full-speed 12Mb/s or low-speed 1.5Mb/s. If you use Windows XP and try to plug a device designed for use with Hi-Speed USB into a regular USB (1.1) port or hub, you'll see an error message similar to the ones listed below:

  • The Generic USB Hub is a HI-SPEED USB device and will function at reduced speed when plugged into a non-HI-SPEED port.
  • HI-SPEED USB Device Plugged into non-HI-SPEED USB Hub. A HI-SPEED USB device is plugged into a non-HI-SPEED USB hub.

This can be an unpleasant surprise if you thought you had Hi-Speed USB ports available. Unlike USB 1.1 ports, Hi-Speed USB ports sometimes require some effort to configure in both BIOS and the port's driver.

If your system uses an Intel chipset that provides Hi-Speed USB ports, you need to enable the High-Speed USB support option in the USB Configuration submenu to receive Hi-Speed USB 2.0 performance.

Follow This Steps To enable USB 2.0  (Reference: Intel Mother Boards) :

  • Reboot (or power on) system.
  • Press F2 during POST (Power-on Self Test) to enter system BIOS setup program. (Sometimes, you may require to enter a different key or combination of keys to enter the BIOS Setup Menu, watch the post boot screen for the right key to enter BIOS Setup.)
  • Select ADVANCED menu using arrow (left and right) keys.
  • Select USB Configuration and press <enter>.
  • Enable High-speed USB.
  • Press F10 to Save & Exit BIOS setup program. (Hi-Speed USB 2.0 controllers are now enabled and your operating system should detect New Hardware during the next normal boot cycle and you will be able to work at High-Speed.
  • Note: USB 3.0 specification was published on 12 November 2008. Its main goals were to increase the data transfer rate (up to 5 Gbit/s), to decrease power consumption, to increase power output, and to be backwards-compatible with USB 2.0. USB 3.0 includes a new, higher speed bus called SuperSpeed in parallel with the USB 2.0 bus. For this reason, the new version is also called SuperSpeed. The first USB 3.0 equipped devices were presented in January 2010.

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Monday, November 21, 2011

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Display My Computer Icon On Windows 8 Desktop

This article gives you a step-by-step instructions on how to make “My Computer” Icon Visible on Windows 8 Desktop.

In Windows XP, Windows Vista And on Windows 7, we will see at least the Recycle Bin icon in the desktop after a fresh install. Also it was easy to add My Computer icon on the desktop. Normally We use “Start –>  My Computer -> Show on Desktop” method to bring the 'My Computer' icon on to the desktop. But in Windows 8 it is different as by default My Computer Icon will not be available on the Desktop nor you cant simply right click on it and make it available on the Desktop. But, here is how to show My Computer in Desktop in Windows 8


Display My Computer Icon On Windows 8 Desktop

Step-By-Step Instructions To Display My Computer Icon On Windows 8 Desktop:

  • Click on the Windows 8 Desktop tile in Metro User Interface. (This brings the normal old desktop.)
  • Right click anywhere on the desktop and select Personalize. (Now you will see the personalization screen.
  • In personalization screen click on 'Change desktop icons'.( Here you can select the icons you want to display in Windows 8 desktop.)
  • So you can select 'My Computer' icon by ticking the check box next to it.
  • Other icons like Control Panel and Network icons can also be displayed by using his method.
  • Now click on 'Apply'. Now you should be able to see the 'My Computer' icon on your desktop

Windows 8 has lots of new features and still many news features are getting added to it. Still, its difficult to tweak common settings like what we have seen now. Stay Tuned For More Updates. If you are interested, like and share our Facebook Page.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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Find And Clean Up Useless Icons And Programs From Your PC

If you haven’t yet taken control and zapped those obnoxious programs that your PC vendor probably stuck on your machine, now is the time to do it. If you bought a new computer with Windows 7 preinstalled, the manufacturer probably sold some desktop real estate to a software company or an Internet service provider (ISP). The AOLs and Norton's of the world compensate the Sony’s, Dells and HPs for services, and space, rendered.

The last thing you need is yet another come-on to sign up for AOL or an antivirus  program that begs you for money every week.

  • To get rid of most icons, simply right-click them and choose Delete.
  • To get rid of the icons’ associated programs, choose Start➪Control Panel➪Uninstall a Program (which appears in the Programs section).

When the Uninstall or Change a Program dialog box opens, double-click a program to remove it.

Unfortunately, many scummy programs don’t play by the rules: Either they don’t have uninstallers or the uninstaller that appears in the Change a Program dialog box doesn’t get rid of the program entirely. I won’t mention Norton Internet Security by name. To get rid of the scummy stuff, look in a program from Jason York. It’s at pcdecrapifier.com/download

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Sunday, November 6, 2011

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Windows Classic Gives Windows 2000 Like User Interface On Windows 7

Windows 7 have included different user experiences like, Windows Classic, Windows Basic, Windows 7 Standard and Windows Aero. Here lets see why and how the Windows Classic mode is used.

Windows 7 includes a user experience called Windows Classic that resembles the user interfaces that Microsoft shipped with Windows 95, 98, Me, and 2000. (It most closely resembles Windows 2000.) This interface is available on all Windows 7 product editions, including Starter Edition.

Classic is included in Windows 7 primarily for businesses that don’t want to undergo the expense of retraining their employees to use the newer user experiences. It’s also there for you masochists. The Windows Classic user interface is shown in the below screen shot.

Windows 2000 Like User Interface On Windows 7  Windows Classic

Windows Classic lets Windows 7 users enjoy a Windows 2000-like user interface.

While Windows Classic does resemble the Windows 2000 look and feel, there are in fact numerous differences. So users will still require some training when moving to Windows 7 and Windows Classic mode.

Some older interfaces are no longer possible. For example, the Windows 7 Start menu still retains the layout that debuted with Windows XP, and not the cascading menu style you might remember from Windows 2000. In Windows XP and Vista, this older-style Start menu could still be used if desired. It’s gone from Windows 7.

To Change to Windows Classic, follow these below steps.

  • Right click on desktop and choose Personalize as shown in the below screen shot.

Windows Classic Gives Windows 2000 Like User Interface On Windows 7 1

  • Move on to Basic and High Contrast themes and then choose Windows Classic.

Windows Classic Gives Windows 2000 Like User Interface On Windows 7

That’s it, but at any point if you are not interested on the Windows Classic User Interface, you can switch to other Interface just by choosing other types by following the above steps.

Remember, Windows classic is just a low End user Interface which will save most of your RAM. Classic looks very close to the same just with the new icons. Classic was always grey and kind of boring (but snappier!). But, Aero is better in terms of performance, stability and productivity.

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Sunday, October 2, 2011

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Create Shutdown Tile on Windows 8 | How to Shutdown Windows 8 from Desktop or Metro Interface

If you are using Windows 8 either as a virtual Machine or as a normal Operating System, you will miss the Shutdown Button. This is by design, that there is no shutdown button to turn off the Windows 8 computer.

However, you can follow the steps mentioned in the article to create a shortcut of shutdown your Windows 8 PC.

Windows 8 developer preview ISO Image is currently available for public download from the official Microsoft Windows website. If you like to get first hand experience on what is new in Windows 8, I strongly recommend you install it on a Virtual Machine rather than trying it on your primary computer. And if you are experiencing Problem installing Windows 8, I suggest you read my earlier post on “halinitializationfailed-error”

Steps to create shortcut for shutdown in Windows 8

  • In the Metro interface, click on the Desktop.
  • In the desktop, Right click on the empty screen, select "New" and then Select "Shortcut".

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8 1

You will see the below screen, which asks you to enter the location. Copy the following code and paste it there.`

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8 _2

To create shortcut for shutdown computer, enter the following code

Shutdown.exe -s -t 00

Command To Make Windows 8 PC To Restart

Shutdown.exe -r -t 00

Command To Make Windows 8 PC To Hibernate

rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll,SetSuspendState

Command To Make Windows 8 PC To Sleep

rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState 0,1,0

  • After entering the respective code, it will ask you to enter a name for the Shortcut. Enter the respective name.

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8_3

  • Click ok. Now, to change the icon of the shortcut, Right click on the shutdown icon and select properties and click on Change icon.
  • Select the icon you want, and click ok.

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8 _4

  • Now, click on Apply and ok. You have created a shortcut for Shutdown option.

Steps To Display Shutdown Option In Windows 8 Metro Interface

  • Go to Windows Explorer. (Win+E)

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8 _5

  • Enter the following code in the location bar.

%appdata%\microsoft\windows\Start Menu\Programs\

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8 _6

  • After pasting, press enter, you will see Accessories folder. Open it.

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8 _7

  • Now, cut the Shutdown shortcut and paste in the Accessories folder.
  • That's it, now you successfully created a Shortcut for Shutdown in the Metro interface of Windows 8 OS.

To verify it, Press Windows key, it will take to the Metro interface, type shutdown, you will see a "Shutdown App" in the Metro interface.

Shutdown Windows 8 From Desktop  App To Shutdown Windows 8 _8

We can also create a Shutdown Tile In Windows 8 Metro Interface and which will be even easy and faster to shutdown. Please follow this link to create a Shutdown Tile in Windows 8 Metro.

Note: We can not only create a shutdown Tile, But also, a Restart Tile, Hibernate Tile, Sleep Tile, and more over, we can create a Tile for any shortcut by following the instructions in this article.

Well that’s it. Try Windows 8 Now! And if you have not downloaded Windows 8, just head on to Microsoft's developer site and download it. You'll just need a PC with a 1GHz or faster processor (either 32- or 64-bit), 1GB of RAM (2GB for 64-bit), 16GB of hard disk space (20GB for 64-bit), DirectX 9 graphics with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver. Of course, if you want to play with Windows 8's touch abilities, you'll need a screen that supports multi-touch.

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