Tutorials

How to See System Information in Vista and Windows 7 System Information shows details about your computer's hardware configuration, computer components, and software, including drivers. This tutorial will show you how to open and see System Information about Windows. To see if your drivers are signed or not, then open System Information and look under Software Environment and Signed Drivers. In the right pane, look under the Signed column to see. You will also see more helpful information about them there to. Here's How: 1. Open the Start Menu. A) Click on All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and System Information. B) Go to step 3. OR 2. Open the Start Menu. A) In the white line (Start Search) area, type msinfo32 and...

How to Hide or Show the Navigation Pane Folders Tree Lines in Vista This will show you how to hide or show the folder tree lines in the lower Folders section of the Navigation pane.If you have the Windows Explorer window open, you will need to close it and reopen it to see the changes made below. EXAMPLE: Folders Tree with Lines set to Hide and Show NOTE: The left screenshot is with simple folder view displayed. Using Folder Options 1. Open Folder Options. 2. To Hide the Folders Tree Lines A) Check Display simple folder view in Navigation pane. (See screenshot below step 4) B) Go to step 4. 3. To Show the Folders Tree Lines NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Uncheck Display simple folder view in Navigation pane. (See...

How to Create a "System Restore" Shortcut in Vista This will show you how to create a shortcut to the main System Restore window to make it easier to do a System Restore.The default shortcut location in the Start menu is: Start Menu\All Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore If you dual boot with Windows XP, then everytime you start in XP the System Restore Points and all except the most recent Complete PC Backup files in Vista get deleted. To stop this, see: How to Stop System Restore Points from being Deleted in Vista when Dual Booting with XP If you have missing restore points, then also see: System Restore "restore points" are missing or deleted EXAMPLE: Shortcut opens this To Download the "System Restore"...

How to Turn Public Folder Sharing On or Off in Vista This will show you how to turn Public folder sharing on or off so you can share files in your Public folder with other users accounts on your computer and people on the same network (ON), or just for users that logon on to your computer with a user account in person (OFF). Public folder sharing is turned off by default.The Public folder in Vista is where you store files that you want to share with other people on the same computer or same network. It is just like your user account folder, but used for the public instead. There is only one Public folder in Vista. Everyone with a user account and password on your computer can access the Public folder, but you decide whether anyone on...

How to Turn Password Protected Sharing On or Off in Vista This will show you how to turn Password protected sharing on or off so other computers on your network can or cannot access your shared folders, including the Public folder, drive, and printer without having a user account and password on your computer. By default password protected sharing is turned on.There are two Password Protected Sharing states: ON - Only people, or other computers on your network, who have a user account and password created on your computer can access shared files, printers attached to the computer, and the Public folder (provided the user account is specified as one of the accounts that can access the shared item). OFF - When you disable password...

How to Restore the Uninstall Confirmation Prompt in Programs and Features This will show you how to restore the In the future, do not show me this dialog box confirmation prompt in Programs and Features when you click Uninstall for a program in Vista and Windows 7.When you check the In the future, do not show me this dialog box option in the confirmation prompt, it will disable the confirmation prompt and will not be seen again until restored using OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO below. EXAMPLE: Uninstall Confirmation Prompt NOTE: See step 6 here: How to Uninstall or Change a Program in Vista Using a REG File Download 1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Restore_Uninstall_Confirmation_Prompt.reg...

How to Turn Network Discovery On or Off in Vista This will show you how to turn Network Discovery on or off so you can or cannot browse a network and people browsing a network can or cannot access shared files, folders, printers, or drives on your computer. There are three network discovery states: State Description ON This state allows your computer to see other network computers and devices and allows people on other network computers to see your computer. This makes it easier to share files and printers. OFF This state prevents your computer from seeing other network computers and devices and prevents people on other network computers from seeing your computer. Custom This is a mixed state in which some settings...

How to Create a Hibernate Computer Shortcut in Vista This will save your current active state and shutdown the computer into a deep sleep, almost off. The keyboard and mouse will not wake the computer up in hibernation mode. Only the power button on the case.This puts your computer into hibernation mode no matter what you have your power settings set for. You will need to press the computer case power button to wake up the computer to resume the same active state as when you put it in hibernation.If you would like to create a keyboard shortcut key for this shortcut, then see: How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in VistaYou will need to have hibernate enabled for this hibernate shortcut to work. To Download the "Hibernate"...

How to Change the Workgroup Name in Vista When you first set up Vista or connect to a network, Vista automatically creates a workgroup and gives it a default name of WORKGROUP. Computers in a workgroup network must all have the same workgroup name in order to join that workgroup. This will show you how to change your computer workgroup name so you can create or join a workgroup.In a workgroup all computers are peers; no computer has control over another computer. Each computer has their own user accounts, so you cannot use another computer in the workgroup unless you have a user account setup on that computer.If you change the name of an existing workgroup, a new workgroup will be created with that name instead. If your computer was a...

How to Enable or Disable the "Windows Experience Index" in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to enable or disable the Windows Experience Index (WEI) in Performance Information and Tools for all user accounts on the computer.When disabled, this leaves the Performance Information and Tools page blank. EXAMPLE: Windows Experience Index Disabled and Enabled NOTE: To see this, open the Control Panel (Classic View-Vista or icons view-Windows 7) and click on the Performance Information and Tools icon. Using a REG File Download 1. To Enable the Windows Experience Index NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click on the Download button to download the file below. Enable_WEI.reg...

How to Enable or Disable the Control Panel in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to Enable or Disable the Control Panel in all user accounts on the computer.This will add or remove the Control Panel shortcut icon from the Start menu and Windows Explorer. If a user tries to open the Control Panel while disabled, they will get a Restrictions message. (See example below)If you did not disable the Control Panel, then it may have been done by some kind of malware or spyware. You should do a complete scan of your computer for a virus and other malware to be safe.If you have this Control Panel problem here, then see: Microsoft Help and Support: Icons are missing from Control Panel, or you cannot start Control Panel, the Welcome...

How to Only Show Specified Control Panel Icons in Vista This will show you how to have the classic view Control Panel only show the Control Panel icons that you specify and hide the rest of them. This will affect all user accounts on the computer.Unless you specify to show the Administrative Tools icon in the Control Panel, it will hide the Administrative Tools button in the Start menu to.If you have this Control Panel problem here, then see: Microsoft Help and Support: Icons are missing from Control Panel, or you cannot start Control Panel, the Welcome Center, or games in Windows Vista EXAMPLE: Default Classic Control Panel Icons Through the Local Group Policy Editor NOTE: This option is only available for the Vista Business...

How to Hide or Show Icons in the Control Panel in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to hide or show any default icons in the Control Panel for all users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. If you hide the Administrative Tools icon, it will also hide the Administrative Tools button in the Start menu. If you have this Control Panel problem here, then see: Microsoft Help and Support: Icons are missing from Control Panel, or you cannot start Control Panel, the Welcome Center, or games in Windows Vista Hiding certain Control Panel items like below may also cause them to no longer open them from other locations as well in Windows. Display Personalization EXAMPLE: Vista Control Panel Icons (classic...

How to Enable or Disable Lock Computer in Vista This will show you how to Enable or Disable Lock computer from working, and add or remove it from the Windows Security screen when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL for all user accounts on the computer. Lock is enabled in Vista and is listed in the CTRL+ALT+DEL menu by default.When the computer is locked, the desktop is hidden and the system cannot be used. Only the user who locked the computer or the system administrator can unlock it with their password (if created).This will not add or remove Lock from the Start menu. It will only enable or disable Lock from working when clicked on. EXAMPLE: Default (Added) and Removed Lock this computer in Ctrl+Alt+Del Through the Local Group Policy...

How to Hide or Show Drive Letters in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to have all drive letters set to hide or show in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. If you hide drive letters, it will not remove the drive letter for drives, but only hide them from displaying. EXAMPLE: Drive Letters Set to Hide and Show NOTE: This is in the Computer (Start menu) window. To Hide or Show Drive Letters in Folder Options 1. Open Folder Options in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. 2. Click on the View Tab, and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below step 5) 3. To Show All Drive Letters NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Check Show drive letters, and go to step 5 below. 4. To...

How to Add or Remove Log Off from the Ctrl+Alt+Delete Screen in Vista This will show you how to add or remove Log Off from the the Windows Security screen when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL for all user accounts on the computer.This will also add or remove Log off from the Shut Down Windows screen when you press ALT+F4 from the Desktop. For more about this, see: How to Shutdown, Restart, Switch User, Log Off, Sleep, or Lock Vista from the Keyboard EXAMPLE: Default (Added) Log Off and Removed Log Off Through the Local Group Policy Editor NOTE: This option is only available in the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE below for the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions. 1. Open the all users...

How to Use the Find Window to Find Text on a Page This will show you how to do a quick Find for a certain text or word on a page of a document and have it highlighted.For example in Internet Explorer (IE), Notepad, WordPad, regedit, and other supporting programs. EXAMPLE: Find in IE, Notepad, and WordPad Here's How: 1. While you have the page open, press CTRL+F or F3. NOTE: For example in IE on a webpage. 2. Type in the word or phrase you want to find on that page. (See screenshot below step 5) 3. Select the search options you want to use. 4. Press Enter to start the search. 5. Click Previous or Next button to go back to the previous and next highlighted search result on the page. 6. Close the Find window when done...

How to Enable or Disable User Account Control (UAC) Blacking Out of Screen in Windows This is when the screen goes dark when the User Account Control prompt displays. This is called Secure Desktop mode. It is enabled by default in Windows. This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Secure Desktop mode when the screen dims for a UAC prompt in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. You must be logged in as an administrator to be to do this tutorial. This is the same security mode used when you log on or press CTL+ALT+DELETE.Disabling the UAC Secure Desktop will allow you to take screenshots of the UAC prompts, and will not freeze the whole computer screen while it waits for you to answer the UAC prompt.If you disable the Secure...

How to Use Windows Remote Assistance in Vista Windows Remote Assistance is a convenient way for someone you trust to connect to your computer and walk you through a solution. To help ensure that only people you invite can connect to your computer using Remote Assistance, all sessions are encrypted and password protected. For more information, see: Microsoft TechNet: Remote Assistance and Resulting Internet Communication in Windows Vista Microsoft Help and Support: Windows Remote Assistance: FAQ If the person you want to help has XP and you use Vista, then Remote Assistance should work. If you have Vista and the person that is going to remote assist control you has XP, then Remote Assistance will not work. Make Sure Remote...

How to Enable or Disable Windows Remote Assistance in Vista Windows Remote Assistance is a convenient way for someone you trust to connect to your computer and walk you through a solution. To help ensure that only people you invite can connect to your computer using Remote Assistance, all sessions are encrypted and password-protected. By default Remote Assistance is enabled. This will show you how to enable or disable Remote Assistance and how to adjust it's settings. Enable or Disable Remote Assistance NOTE: Remote Assistance will need to be enabled on both computers to be able to use Remote Assistance. 1. Open the Control Panel (Classic View). A) Click on the System icon. B) Go to step 3. OR 2. Open the Start menu. A) Right click...