Tutorials

How to Restore or Remove Windows Media Center from Default Programs This will show you how to either restore or remove Windows Media Center from the Set Default Programslist for all users in Vista and Windows 7.The N and KN editions of Windows 7 have all the features that normally come with each individual Windows 7 edition, except for Windows Media Player 12 and related programs, such as Windows Media Center or Windows DVD Maker. The N editions of Windows 7 allow you to choose your own media player and software required to manage and play CDs, DVDs, and other digital media files. If you choose to use Windows Media Player 12, downloading it, along with related software, is free. Download Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service...

How to Speed Up Vista Boot Up Time This will show you how to speed up just the boot up time to your desktop in Vista. Select the options that you feel comfortable doing and that apply to you.You can also view the startup logs in Event Viewer (C:\Windows\system32\eventvwr.msc) under Applications and Services Logs, Microsoft, Windows, Diagnostics-Performance, and Operational. The logs will be in the middle to show you what ran at startup, how long it took, and more.For more ideas on how to speed up the performance of Vista, see: How to Speed Up the Performance of Vista Change Time to Display List of Operating Systems 1. For how, see: How to Change the Default Boot Partition in Vista A) Uncheck this option if you do not dual boot to save...

How to See What Your Boot Up Time is in Vista To optimize the boot/shutdown of Windows, it is necessary to know precisely the reboot time of the computer to be able to refine its adjustments. But rather than having the hand on a stop watch at the time of the reboot, better use this easy way, You will appreciate how simple it is to use and the precision of the result. The relative time value will then give you a point of comparison to optimize the boot/shutdown of your computer.For fun you can post your results here: ReBoot Time EXAMPLE: ReBoot-Time dialog box NOTE: This is what you will see after running the VB Script file from below and when you computer finishes restarting. Here's How: In order to calculate the time of...

How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder From the Start Menu in Vista This will show you how to add or delete items from both the Normal and Classic Start Menu All Programs area to help organize it.This is the location for the two Start menu folders. You will need to have Show hidden files and folders checked in Folder Options to see these locations. Account Location All Users C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Specific User C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs If you place a folder shortcut in the Start Menu, it will not expand like a folder when clicked on. Instead, it will only open in a new window when clicked on. You will need to create a New Folder in the...

How to Trace what Windows Update a Manifest File Originated From This is an advanced method for solving Windows Update issues (outlined in CheckSUR logs). I would highly advise against doing this unless you're sure about what to do! In CheckSUR logs, you will sometimes see errors about missing manifests. In this tutorial, I will show you how to trace what update that manifest originated from so that we can source a clean copy. Here is an exemplar CheckSUR log with missing manifests: Checking System Update Readiness. Binary Version 6.0.6002.22574 Package Version 15.0 2012-08-03 20:17 Checking Windows Servicing Packages Checking Package Manifests and Catalogs Checking Package Watchlist Checking Component Watchlist Checking Packages...

How to Change a Computer Event Sound in Vista An event sound is when a sound is played for a certain action that happens on the computer. A .wav file is used for the event sounds. This will show you how to open and change the default Windows computer event sound scheme to what you want it to be instead. Sound File Folder Location: C:\Windows\Media Registry Location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default Through Sounds Settings 1. Open the Control Panel (Classic View). A) Click on the Sound icon. B) Go to step 2. OR 1. Right click on the little white speaker (Volume) icon in the bottom right corner. (See screenshot below) A) Click on Sounds. B) Go to step 2. OR 1. Right Click on a empty area of the desktop...

How to Retain the DVD Drive Icon if Disappeared from Computer Sometimes the DVD drive icon disappears from Computer and you have a ! mark on dvd drive in device manager. This tutorial will help you restore the DVD drive icon on Computer. Here's How: 1. In the device manager, right click on the dvd drive and click on Uninstall. 2. Click on the Start button, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press Enter. 3. In the User Account Control window, type your password or click Continue. 4. In Registry Editor, expand the following registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class 5. Under Class, click on {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}. 6. In the right pane, right-click UpperFilters, and then...

How to Enable Windows Aero on Windows Vista Home Basic If you have bought Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic and want to use Windows Aero, So this is the tutorial for you!If your computer's Window Experience Index Scores is less then 2.8 it isn't recommended for you to enable Windows AeroIt recommended that you make a backup of the registry before starting for a case of something will mess up - If you will follow the steps nothing wrong should happen..I don't know if it work's with SP1.. Please someone try and comment. EDIT: It doesn't work with SP1 - you can try changing the steps a little, But it's NOT recommended!! 1. Type 'regedit' (No quotes) at the start menu. 2. Goto HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM and set...

How to Disable or Enabled EFS Encryption in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 Encrypting folders and files is a way to protect them from unwanted access. Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that allows you to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is enabled by default in Vista. If you disable encryption, no user account will be able to encrypt a file or folder.The EFS Encrypt feature is only available in the Vista Business, Ultimate, Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise, and Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise editions. This option will remain grayed out in the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium and Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium editions.Be sure to decrypt...

How to Add or Remove "Open File Location" and "Open Folder Location" from the Context Menu in Vista This will show you how to add or remove "Open File Location" and "Open Folder Location" from the context menu for all users in Vista. This is when you right click on a shortcut of a file or folder. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial. EXAMPLE: "Open File Location" and "Open Folder Location" in Context Menu Here's How: 1. To Add "Open File/Folder Location" to Context Menu NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Add_Open_File_Location.reg https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/add_open_file_location-reg.25772/ B) Go to...

How to Turn Windows Features On or Off in Vista Some Vista features are installed (turned on) by default, while others are not. These features will remain stored on your hard disk all the time (CAB files), so you can turn them on or off when you want to. This will show you how to turn the Windows Features that you want on or off in Vista.The available features listed will vary according to the edition of Vista you have.If Windows Features is empty, then see: You receive error code "0x80073712" or the "Windows Features" dialog box is empty when you try to install updates or components in Windows 7 or in Windows Vista Here's How: 1. Open the Control Panel (Classic View). 2. Click on the Programs and Features icon. 3. Click on...

How to Enable Hidden Audio Devices in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to enable hidden disabled audio devices in the Sound Control Panel window so they will be available to use now.These now enabled audio devices will also now be available to all programs that allow you to select audio devices.Enabled the Stereo Mix device, if you have this option, will allow you to record all sounds played on your computer using Sound Recorder without a microphone. Here's How: 1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View) NOTE: Open the Start menu and click on the Control Panel menu button. 2. Click on the Sound icon. 3. Click on the Recording tab. (See screenshot below step 4) NOTE: This will also work in the Playback tab, but there is...

How to Enable or Disable the Real Built-in Administrator Account in Vista In Vista, even though you are using an administrator account, you still run with Standard account privileges. When a program or a action by you tries to run with administrators rights, you must first give it permission before it is allowed. This is the User Account Control (UAC). The hidden real Built-in Administrator Account does not use UAC and is like the one in XP with full rights on your computer. For more information, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB942956If you enable the hidden Built-in Administrator Account, it is recommended that you do not use this account all the time since everything installed and running on your computer will also have full...

How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista This will show you how to get out of Reduced Functionality Mode if you did not activate Vista within the 30 day activation trial period and the period has expired, Vista determines or thinks that it is installed on a different computer than it was originally activated on, or you have a non-genuine version of Vista. For more information, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB925582 Article and Genuine Microsoft Software Microsoft no longer provides support for OEM copies of Vista. If you have one of these, then you must contact the OEM, instead of Microsoft in this tutorial, to activate your OEM Vista. OEM contact information should be included in the documentation that came with your...

How to Speed Up the Performance of Vista This is a list of suggestions that will show you how to speed up the performance of Vista. These are suggestions that you can pick and choose which ones you would like to do. If you do not notice a increase in performance or have a problem, you can always go back and enable it again or undo it. MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR VISTA NOTE: It is recommended to have at least 3 GB of ram to help have good performance. For more information, see: Microsoft Windows Vista: Recommended System Requirements Vista Home Basic Processor: 1GHz (32 or 64 bit) System Memory (RAM): 512MB Hard Drive: 20GB with 15GB available for Vista Video Card: 32MB Memory and DirectX 9 Support DVD-ROM Drive Vista Home...

How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista Vista has six default folder templates you can choose and change for the type of file folders you have in a Windows Explorer window. By default Vista will automatically assign a Folder Type Template to the Explorer window according to what type of files it contains. Vista will only use the default Folder Templates for external devices each time you open them since Vista will not remember the folder view settings when you turn off or remove the external media. You may need to reset Windows Explorer folder view settings to make Vista remember the folder template and view changes you make. For how, see: File and Folder Settings - Windows Explorer Folder View settings...

How to Enable or Prevent the Desktop Background Wallpaper from being Changed in Vista This will allow you to set a default optional Desktop Background Wallpaper of your choice for all user accounts, and prevent it from being changed.STEP ONE below will just remove the Desktop Background option from the Personalize appearance and sounds screen. Users will still be able to change the wallpaper by right clicking on a image and click Set as Desktop Background. You must also do STEP TWO below to prevent the desktop background from being changed. You will have a choice to do this using METHOD ONE or METHOD TWO on below.If you have a blank or solid background, then check this setting to make sure it is unchecked: Open the Control Panel...

How to Open and Use Character Map in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 Character Map is a feature in Windows that makes it possible to use characters that are not displayed on the keyboard. You can use Character Map to insert special characters into your documents, such as the trademark symbol, a special mathematical character, or a character from another language. For more information, see: Windows Help and How-to: Character Map FAQs To make your own special characters, see: How to Use Private Character Editor At the bottom right corner of Character Map, it will show you what keyboard shortcut Keystroke to press for the selected character symbol. See screenshot below step 2. The Character Map exe file is located at...

How to Restore the Search Context Menu Item after Installing the Vista SP1 When you install the Vista SP1, it removes Search from the Context (right click) menu of the Start menu button and Folders. This will show you how to restore the Search context menu item with the Vista SP1 still installed. For more information on what the SP1 changes, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB941946 and Windows Vista Blog: Experiencing Windows Vista Service Pack 1 BetaThe Search button on the right dark side in the Start menu has also been removed by the Vista SP1. This will show you how to restore it: How to Restore the Start Menu Button after Installing the Vista SP1 EXAMPLE: Start Button Context Menu with SP1 and Restored EXAMPLE: Folder Context...

How to Speed Up Shut Down in Vista This will show you how to set the amount of time Vista waits for programs to save data and close before shutting down. Always, as usual, make sure you save and close applications before shutting down to prevent data loss.When you shut down the operating system, the OnShutdown method is called. However, the OnShutdown method does not change the system state to the Stop state. This behavior causes the service to appear unresponsive. Therefore, the shutdown process is delayed. If you have this problem, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB943412 Hotfix . Be sure to download the correct 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) version. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and...