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Avoiding Auto-installation Of Updates While Shutting Down The Machine

webtech — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:24:31 +0000

For Windows XP, Vista, 7

On a notebook it is better to decide yourself when Windows should install the available updates. The best time would be when it is back to the power supply from the electric socket. You should therefore change the standard option, so that you do not have to wait for the installation to be done when you shut down your computer.

This can be done by creating an additional registry entry. For that, open ‘Start I Run’, enter ‘regedit’ and click on ‘OK’. In Vista or Windows 7, it is enough to just type the command in the search field of the Start Menu and press enter. In the Editor, navigate to the key ‘HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU’. Then click in the right side of the window and select ‘Edit I New I DWORD value’. Enter the name ‘NoAU AsDefaultShutdwonOption’ and then press [Enter].

To edit, double-click on the new entry. Change the ‘Value’ in ‘1’ and confirm it with ‘OK’. This thus prevents Windows from automatically selecting the option ‘Install updates and Shut down’. Set the value to ‘0’. If you wish to activate this option again later.

Note: the displayed entry changes the setting only for current user. If the configuration should be applicable to all users, enter the same new DWORD value as described also in the Registry key ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Micorsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU’. Then close the registry. The new setting is only effective after you restart the computer once.

Change The Location Of Your Personal Folders In Windows 7

webtech — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:23:24 +0000

If you frequently reinstall your operating system, or your primary hard-drive partition is small and not enough for all your media and documents, you will want your personal folders point o a location that is on a separate partition. This also ensures that in case of a system crash, you can just pop in the Installation disc and install Windows again on your primary partition after formatting it and still not worry about losing your personal folders data.

Here’s how you go about it:

Navigate to your Users folder by clicking on Start and then your User name, or Opening Windows Explorer and going to C:/Users/.

Right-click on the personal folder that you want to relocate and then click on properties.

Go to the Location tab

Enter the address to which you want to relocate your personal folder.

Click on Ok. Windows will as you for permission to create the folder if it doesn’t exist already.

Windows will also give you an option to move all your files from the old location to the new location. We recommend you click on yes as some programs need across to them to function properly, like games for instance which store game profiles in the Documents folder.

Activate Regional Themes In Windows 7

webtech — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:21:18 +0000

Windows 7 comes with some very good themes by default. But in case you have already got bored of those, you will be glad to know that there are some hidden regional themes also with region-specific Windows 7 wallpapers which only show up if the appropriate region is selected. You can activate them without going through the trouble of changing you region.

Open My Computer by pressing [Win] + [E]

Click on Organize > Folder and Search Options

Go to the View tab.

Check ‘Show hidden files, folders and drives’ under Advanced Settings.

Uncheck ‘Hide protected operating system files’ and apply the changes.

Now navigate to C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT

The folders contain theme files of respective regions based on their name such as CA for Canada, ZA for South Africa and US for United States among others.

Just open them, open theme folder and click on the theme file to activate it. Now, it will also become available from your Themes menu in the Personalize window.

Protect All Running Programs/documents With LockThis Windows Uitlity

webtech — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:54:04 +0000

Protect any open programs or documents that are currently running with “LockThis” windows utility. This tool is perfect for people who often lend their PC to others, because with this tool they can keep the content of some programs or documents from other people eyes without need to close them first. Huge time saver if you really often lend your PC.

Just press Ctrl when minimizing the widnow of the program/document and supply the password in the dialog that follows. All the content is saved because the window cannot be restored or maximized without supplying the correct password.

So when the window is about to maximized or restored, a dialog asking for password will pop up. Suppose correct password is not given, the restore or maximize request is simply ignored and the window stays minimized.

Read More: LockThis

Microsoft Add-on For Windows 7 Runs Older Application On Windows XP

webtech — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:58:05 +0000

Microsoft has released an add-on that allows computers which has new Windows 7 OS to run older applications that were designed for Windows XP.

According to Windows Blog: “Windows XP Mode is designed to provide small business and mid-sized businesses running Windows 7 Professional (or higher) the ability to run Windows XP productivity applications that may not be natively compatible with Windows 7. We expect many Windows XP applications to be compatible Windows 7 however Windows XP Mode is meant to serve as an added safety net so small and mid-sized businesses can migrate and run Windows 7 without any road blocks. Windows 7 Professional is designed to meet the needs of small and mid-sized businesses.”

Read More: Windows

XP Match-making With xPize

webtech — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:03:08 +0000

Check out this new utility program called “xpize.” This program for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 replaces most of the bits in Windows that didn’t match XP’s style with bits that do.

xpize does not replace any files, system or otherwise. Instead it “patches” the files by replacing the old resources inside the files.

xpize is an all in one tool for Windows XP interface, it actually updates icons and interface components across the board. You will also come across several alternative XP themes and also allows you to not only change the main theme and enjoy newer icons.

Read More: Xpize

Windows Live Movie Maker, Turn Your Memories Into Movies

webtech — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:14:39 +0000

Now you can turn your memories into movies with “Windows Live Movie Maker.”

Movie Maker is the easy, fast way to turn photos and videos into great-looking movies and slide-shows you can share on the Web or on DVD.

Make a movie in minutes: You provide the raw materials and MovieMaker fits it all together, including titles and transitions.

Sharing made simple: Share your videos on DVD and on YouTube in just a few clicks! You can even transfer your movie to your mobile to take it on the go.

Edit in a snap: Customize your movies with easy-to-use editing tools. Trim your video clips to show only the part you want –add titles, transitions, music, even zoom and panning effects!

Import in a flash: It’s easy to transfer your photos and videos from your camera and onto your PC! MovieMaker offers HD support and works with video formats from most cameras and camcorders.

Windows Live Movie Maker works great with Photo Gallery: Bring your memories to life! Select photos and videos from within Photo Gallery and in just two clicks, you can transfer them to Movie Maker to create a compelling movie with titles, captions and a soundtrack.

Read More: Windows Movie Maker

Microsoft SQL Azure Free Trail Until November

webtech — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:29:25 +0000

Get your hands on free trial of Microsoft SQL Azure Database community Technology Preview (CTP).

What is SQL Azure Database?
It’s a part of the Windows Azure platform, is a cloud-based database service built on Microsoft SQL Server technology. With SQL Azure organizations will benefit from a pay-as-you grow model with enterprise-class availability, data protection, scalability, and security.

Build new applications in the cloud – or use interoperable services that run on Microsoft infrastructure to extend and enhance your existing applications. You choose what’s right for you. It’s for web developers, for corporate developers, for ISVs, for systems integrators and for business.

SQL Azure Database will be available as a free trial until the service goes live in November. SQL Azure Database will be available in two editions: Web Edition, which will include up to 1 GB of relational data, priced at $9.99 per month, and Business Edition, which will include up to 10 GB of data, priced at $99.99 per month.

Read More: SQL Azure Team Blog, Azure

Windows 7 RC Download Ends On August 20th

webtech — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:56:57 +0000

Windows 7 release candidate downloads ends August 20th. According to Windowstemablog: “Just a reminder that you have until this Thursday, August 20th 2009 to download the Windows 7 Release Candidate.

After that date, you will still be able to register your product and get registration keys but, the media will no longer be available for download.”

Read More: Windowsblog, Download Windows 7 RC

Default Programs Editor A Powerful Windows Utility

webtech — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:25:43 +0000

Default Programs Editor is a powerful but simple file association utility for Windows. It is a context menu editor, an autoplay editor, and default programs association editor; essentially, the settings in the “Default Programs” Control Panel page. It’s a replacement for the “File Types” dialog in Windows XP, and brings some key features of TweakUI to Windows Vista/7.

Features

File Type Settings:

Add, Edit, and Delete context menu items
Edit file type information (such as icon and description)
Change an extension’s associated file type

Autoplay Settings:

Add, Edit, and Delete autoplay handler programs
Change which autoplay options are available for any media type
Change the default autoplay handler

Default Programs Settings:

Add or Remove default associations (possible to check, but not un-check, in Windows)

Additional Features:

Disable the “Search web for unknown extension” dialog
Standalone utility, or install as a Control Panel applet
Make direct changes to the system registry, or export edits as .reg files
Designed for Vista and Windows 7 with UAC support

Read More: Default Programs Editor