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  • Extend Windows 7 Trail Period

    Did you know that you can install Windows 7 without any license key and use it for 30 days? What you might not know is that you can also extend that trial mode to 120 days, without requiring a key.

    The basic way this works is that at the end of the 30 days, you’ll need to run a small command and reboot your computer, at which point you’ll have 30 more days, up to a maximum of 120 days. This trick should work regardless of where you got your copy of Windows 7 from.


    Extending the Trial By 30 Days

    The first thing you’ll want to do is check how many days are left in your trial period. You can do this by right-clicking Computer and choosing Properties

    At the bottom of this window you’ll see how many days are left to activate
    Now to actually perform the hack that will extend the trial mode, you’ll want to find Command Prompt in the start menu (or search for it), and then right-click on it and choose Run as administrator. (very important)

    Next you’ll simply type in this command:

    Within a few seconds you’ll normally see this dialog show up, saying that the command has completed successfully, at which point you’ll want to reboot.

    Checking the system properties again shows that now you have 30 days left to activate.

    You’d normally want to do this near the end, probably on the last day before activation. I’m pretty sure that you can even perform this trick after the 30-day trial expires.

  • Positioning Dual monitors : Windows 7

     

                If you have a dual monitor setup and each monitor is a different size or height, it can be annoying trying to move the mouse pointer between them. Here is a quick tip that will help make the process easier.

    Align Monitors
    In our example, we’re using Windows 7, but the process is essentially the same in all versions, but getting to Display Settings is different. In Windows 7 open the Start menu and type display settings into the search box and hit Enter.


    In Vista right-click the desktop and click Personalize. Then from the Personalize appearance and sounds menu click on Display Settings.

    In XP right-click on the desktop and select Properties then in Display Properties click the Settings tab.

    Now here is where you can change the appearance of your monitors. In this example we have a larger 22” LCD and a smaller 19” and it can be annoying getting the mouse pointer from one to another depending where you are on each monitor.

    So what you want to do is simply move each display around to a particular height so it’s easier to get the pointer over. For example with this setting we know we’ll have no problem moving the pointer to the other screen at the top of each display.

    Of course here you can flip your monitors around, change the display resolution, orientation, etc.

    If you have dual monitors where one might be larger or set up higher than the other, then this is a great way to get them finely tuned. You will have to play around with the settings a bit to settle on what works best for you.

  • Windows 7: Changing computer name

                        If you’ve ever bought a new computer with the operating system already installed, you might be annoyed by the default name of the computer when you start trying to connect different computers together. I like to use more descriptive names than HP382811UX… for example, I called my desktop SUPERFAST.

    Changing this in windows XP was extremely simple, but in Windows 7 or Vista it’s buried behind a few more menus. Here are three routes you can take to open up System Properties:
        * Type sysdm.cpl into the start menu search box (quickest)
        * Right-click on the Computer option on the start menu.
        * Open Control Panel, and go to System and Maintenance, and then System.
    If you chose one of the last two options, then you’ll need to click on Advanced System Settings on the left menu:


    Now you’ll finally be on the right screen, which should say System Properties.


    Click on the “Change” button to rename the computer, which will pop up this dialog: 


    Now you can finally change the name of the computer. You could also change the name of the workgroup to something more descriptive as well. You’ll have to reboot after you make this change.

  • Windows 7: Page File Encryption


    How to Enable or Disable Page File Encryption in Vista and Windows 7
    Information
    This article will show you how to enable or disable encrypting the virtual memory page file in Vista and Windows 7.

    Encrypting the page file prevents malicious users from reading data that has been paged to a NTFS disk, but will also add processing overhead for file system operations.
    You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
    OPTION ONE
    Through the Local Group Policy Editor
    1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
    2. In the left pane, click on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, File system, and NTFS. (see screenshot below)
    3. In the right pane, right click on Enable NTFS page file encryption and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)
    4. To Enable Page File Encryption
    A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    B) Go to step 6.
    5. To Disable Page File Encryption
    NOTE:
    This is the default setting.
    A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
    8. Restart the computer to apply.
    OPTION TWO
    Using a Elevated Command Prompt
    1. Open a elevated command prompt (Run as administrator).
    2. To Enable Page File Encryption
    A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter.
    fsutil behavior set encryptpagingfile 1
    B) Go to step 4.
    3. To Disable Page File Encryption
    NOTE:
    This is the default setting.
    A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter.
    fsutil behavior set encryptpagingfile 0
    4. Close regedit, and restart the computer to apply.

  • Sharing and Permissions-Windows 7

     
    Sharing and Permissions-Windows 7
    Information
    If you want to share files between other computers on your network and you are having issues accessing those files. You most likely are having a permissions issue.
    Here’s How:
     
    To allow full access to files you are sharing you will need to follow these steps:
    1. Right click the folder you wish to share and choose “Properties” from the list.
    You should see:
    2. Click the “Security” Tab
    You should see:
    3. Where it says “Group or user names:” If you DO NOT see “Everyone” in the box you will need to add it. (If you DO see it you need to modify it Skip to Step 5)
    You should see:
    4. If you DO NOT see “Everyone” listed you will need to click the “Edit” button under the “Groups or user names” box.
    Like this:
    5. In the next box that pops up click on the “Add…” button.
    Like this:
    6. Where it says “Enter the object names to select (examples):” Type “Everyone” without quotes. Click “OK”.
    Like this:
               
    7. Back under the “Security” tab in the “Properties” dialog. Under the “Group or user names” box click the “Edit…” button. In the box that pops up click on “Everyone” and then check the “Allow” box for “Full control” Click “Apply” then click “OK”.
    Like this:
    8. Now your Permissions are set properly you can set the folder to be shared. To do this you will need to click on the “Sharing” tab in the properties dialog next to the “Security” tab.
    You should see:
    9. Under the “Network File and Folder Sharing” box is a “Share…” button. Click it.
    Like this:
    10. In the box that pops up type in a name for the folder you are sharing. Click the “Share” button.
    Like this:
               
    11. In the next box that pops up click the “Done” button.
    Like this:
               
    You are all set. All users on your network can now fully access all files your sharing from the new shared folder.

  • Configure Multi Router Network-Windows 7


    How to Set Up a Network Using 2 (or more) Routers
    Note
    Before attempting this tutorial, please be familiar with the following terms:
    DCHP, LAN, NAT, Switch, Gateway.
    Also please be familiar with how to configure your router(s) Every router is different so I can’t provide a “one-shot” solution. I would only recommend this if you have at least a basic knowledge of networking.
    (VERY IMPORTANT) Configure everything I am telling you to do here via Ethernet NOT wireless, the last thing we want is for your wireless to drop at the wrong moment and screw the settings over
    (VERY IMPORTANT 2)! Keep both routers disconnected from each other until I tell you to connect them! Otherwise they screw each other over and give you no network access. Also don’t connect other machines except the one your configuring the router with. The reason for this is we are messing with settings, so any rules which apply now won’t apply once you have done it. Hence no network access.
    (VERY IMPORTANT 3) BACKUP YOUR ROUTER SETTINGS If you follow this guide then I see no reason why it shouldn’t work. I have done this on several routers now. However! there is always that one time it doesn’t work. Therefore either, write down the settings before you start fiddling, for both routers. or if your routers have the option, back them up (My router has this option under the “Maintenance” section)
    Section 1 – Placing The Network’s Infrastructure
    Lets Get Started
    1) Decide which router is the gateway (which will bind the network together), I chose it to be the one connected to the Internet, I would recommend you do the same.
    2) Login to your new gateway and give it an IP address of 192.168.1.1 and set the subnet 255.255.255.0
    3) Enable DCHP and the NAT firewall and change the DCHP pool to assign addresses from 192.168.1.2 through to 192.168.1.252 (there is a very good reason why we don’t use all the addresses as you will see in a minute)
    4) logout of the router and disconnect. Then reconnect and check everything is working (IE you can get on the internet etc.) then disconnect again.
    5) Connect to the 2nd router (from this point on I will call it “the switch” as that is really what it is now, we don’t want it to act like a router any more)
    6) Log in to the switch, give it an IP address of 192.168.1.253 and a subnet of 255.255.255.0 (see why we didn’t use all the addresses now?) It is very important that you give it a IP address which is OUTSIDE the DCHP pool of the gateway.
    7) Disable the NAT firewall, you don’t need it, thats what the gateway is for. and it will cause you problems down the line.
    8) Turn off DCHP in the switch. Now it is entirely possible at this point that you will lose connection to the switch. Don’t worry, that is normal. hence why I told you to set everything up before hand. The reason is that the switch is no longer handing out IP addresses, this will all be handled by the gateway in our final setup. If you want to test that it is working then give yourself a static IP address: PortForward.com – Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall and reconnect. (Incidentally, that is also a guide on how to change the default gateway which may be needed later on)
    9) Disconnect from the switch (Pull the cable)
    10) REMOVE your static IP address if you used one in the last step. (change it back to “Auto”)
    11) Connect the Gateway to the Switch via Ethernet. Depending on the router’s you may have to use Crossover Cable for this. In my experience though, most modern routers come with what is known as “Auto Uplink Sensing” which means it will not need Crossover Cable. Otherwise you will I’m afraid. You can test whether you need Crossover Cable in the next step.
    12) Connect via Ethernet to the Switch. Now with a little bit of luck, everything should work and the Gateway will report itself to Windows and assign you an IP address. If it doesn’t then one of two things have gone wrong:
    a) The Gateway isn’t reporting itself properly, in which case you need to change the Default Gateway (thats in the Static IP address guide above) If this is the case, then you will need to reconnect to the Gateway directly and change the DCHP pool so that you have a Static IP which is outside the Pool.
    b) You need Crossover Cable (as detailed above)
    Note
    A note about networks with more than 2 routers. There must be at any time only ONE gateway. Therefore any additional routers introduced to the network must be configured like the Switch
    Section 2 – Making the Network Wireless
    Setting up the wireless is probably the easiest part of this tutorial. If you have followed me so far, then this last little bit will be very easy. In this section, our ultimate goal is to have a network where you can log into any access point with the same credentials, and your PC will see it as the same network.
    Lets Get Started
    If you already have the Infrastructure set up, then you can do this by plugging into either router. Just remember, the gateway is at 192.168.1.1 and the switch is 192.168.1.253 the following options need to be changed in BOTH routers:
    1) the SSID (Wireless name) needs to be Identical in both cases (including Capitalisation)
    2) Any Security (WPA, MAC Filtering etc.) needs to also be Identical, including passphrases. otherwise your PC will not be able to log in to any router.
    3) Set the Channel to Auto. There is so much conflicting information out there on this one, some say set it to different channels, some say make them the same channel. I say set it to Auto and let the router decide. It’s never failed me.
    Now, if you have done this right. After the first time you log into the network, you PC should automatically log into the closest router. Hence always giving you the best Wireless signal.
    Note
    If you are in the habit of moving about, your PC will NOT automatically “jump” routers if another one has a stronger signal, you will need to disconnect and reconnect manually

  • Adding folder to Favorites: Windows 7

                      When you open Explorer in Windows 7 you’ll see a list of Favorites in the Navigation Pane. Microsoft has already put some there, but today we show you how to remove them and add your own favorite folders including Search Connectors.


    Remove Favorites

    By default Microsoft has included some favorite locations for you that you may not want. The default locations are Desktop, Downloads, Recent Places, and Recorded TV if you’ve set up Live TV in Windows Media Center.




    To delete the locations from Favorites, simply right-click on the location and select Remove from the context menu.


    Add Favorites

    Adding you favorite locations that you visit often is easy. While your in the folder you want to add, right-click on Favorites and select Add current location to Favorites.



    You can also drag a folder over to Favorites to link it there as well.



    In this example we removed all of the default locations and added four locations…a FLAC folder from a home server, My Documents, My Videos, and our Dropbox folder.



    If you want to get the default locations back just right-click Favorites and select Restore favorite links. It won’t delete the locations you added, but will just restore the originals.


  • Wireless Network Profile – Backup


    How to Backup and Restore Wireless Network Profiles in Windows
    Information
    This will show you how to backup a wireless network with all of it’s settings in Windows 7 to then be able to restore (import) and use on any one or more XP, Vista, and Windows 7 computer as well.

    This makes it easy to have a wireless network and it’s settings automatically added and setup from one computer to another.
    You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
    Warning
    You will be required to use a USB flash drive to be able to backup a wireless network profile.
    OPTION ONE
    To Backup a Wireless Network Profile in Windows 7
    1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Network and Sharing Center icon.
    2. In the left blue pane, click on the Manage wireless networks link.
    3. Double click on the wireless network that you want to backup.  
    4. Click on the Copy this network profile to a USB flash drive link.  
    5. Connect a USB flash drive to your computer, and click on Next.  
    Warning
    This will replace any other wireless network profile backup that you have previously backed up on the USB flash drive using this method. If you wish to keep more than one wireless network profile backup, then you would need to:
    Create a New Folder on the USB flash drive or some other location, and move (cut and paste) all 3 of the backup files below   from the root of the USB flash drive into the new folder before doing step 5.
    NOTE: I would recommend to name the new folder the same name you had for the wireless network to make it easier to know what it was for.
    6. When it’s finished, click on Close.  
    7. When you are finished, click on OK.
    8. Close the Manage Wireless Networks window.
    OPTION TWO
    To Restore or Import the Wireless Network Profile
    Warning
    If you used a New Folder as in the warning under step 5 in OPTION ONE above to keep mutliple wireless network profiles backed up, then you will need to do this first before doing step 1 below.
    In the USB flash drive, do the warning in step 5 in OPTION ONE above if the wireless network profile backup files in the root of the USB flash drive is not the backup that you wanted to restore (import).
    Afterwards, copy the all of the backup files from within a new folder that contains the wireless network profile that you do want to restore (import) to the root of the USB flash drive.
    1. On the XP, Vista, or Windows 7 computer (ex: laptop or netbook) that you want to restore or import the wireless network to, plug in the USB flash drive that contains the wireless network profile backup files from OPTION ONE above.
    NOTE: This must be done from a USB flash drive, or it will not work.
    2. In AutoPlay, click on the Connect to a wireless network option.  
    A) Go to step 4.
    OR
    3. Open the USB flash drive and run the setupSNK.exe in the root of the USB flash drive.
    4. Verify that this is the name (ex: Brink-Router) of the wireless network that you want to restore or import, and click on Yes if so.  
    NOTE:
    If it isn’t, then do what is in the Warning box right under OPTION TWO to have the correct wirless network profile backup files in the root of the USB flash drive.
    5. Click on OK.  
    6. The wireless network has now been restored (imported). You can repeat steps 1 and 2 in OPTION ONE above to verify.

  • Forgotten Password Wizard Shortcut

    How to Create a “Forgotten Password Wizard” Shortcut in Windows 7
    Information
    This article will show you how to create a Forgotten Password Wizard shortcut that can be used to create a Password Reset Disk for Windows 7 and Vista.

    You can also Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu this shortcut, or move where you like in Windows 7 for easy use.
    Warning
    You will have to have a USB flash drive connected to your computer before you will be able to use the Forgotten Password Wizard shortcut.
    EXAMPLE: Forgotten Password Wizard

    Create the “Forgotten Password Wizard” Shortcut
    1. Right click on a empty area on desktop, and click on New and Shortcut.
    2. Copy and paste the location below into the location area, and click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
    rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,PRShowSaveWizardExW
    3. Type Forgotten Password Wizard for the name, and click on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:  
    You can name this anything you would like though.
    4. Right click on the new Forgotten Password Wizard shortcut on the Desktop and click on Properties.
    5. Click on the Shortcut tab, then click on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)
    6. In the line under “Look for icons in this file”, copy and paste in the location below and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
    %SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll
    7. Select the icon highlighted in blue above and click on OK. (see screenshot above)
    NOTE:  
    You can use any icon that you would like instead though.
    8. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    9. Move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.

  • Add "Copy to Clipboard" to Context Menu

    How to Add “Copy to Clipboard” to the Context Menu in Windows 7
    Information
    This will show you how to add or remove Copy to Clipboard from the right click context menu of BAT, CMD, LOG, REG, RTF, TXT, and VBS files.
    If added, this makes it a lot easier to copy the entire contents of a file with one of these file extensions to the clipboard, then paste the contents where you like.

    Note
    This will not work for the RTF (WordPad) file extension context menus if you have Microsoft Office Word installed and set as the default program to open RTF files instead of WordPad.
    EXAMPLE:
    Context Menu with “Copy to Clipboard” Added or Removed

    HERE’S HOW
    Through Registry Edititor
    NOTE: 
    This option will allow you to manually pick and choose to add or remove Copy to Clipboard from either one, more, or all of the context menus of the BAT, CMD, LOG, REG, RTF, TXT, and VBS files.
    1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.
    2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).
    3. To Add “Copy to Clipboard” to the Context Menu
    A) In regedit, navigate to the location below for the file extension that you wish to add Copy to Clipboard to.
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\shell
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cmdfile\shell
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rtffile\shell
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VBSFile\shell
    B) In the left pane of regedit, right click on shell, click on New and Key, type Copy to Clipboard, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
    C) In the right pane of Copy to Clipboard, right click on a empty space, click on New and String Value, type Icon and press Enter, right click on Icon, and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)
    D) In the Edit String box, copy and paste the commmand below and click on OK.
    DxpTaskSync.dll,-52
    E) In the left pane of regedit, right click on Copy to Clipboard and click on New and Key. Type command, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
    F) In the right pane of command, right click on (Default) and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)
    G) In the Edit String box, copy and paste the commmand below and click on OK.
    cmd /c clip < "%1"
    H) Repeat step 3 above for any other file extenstion that you wish to add Copy to Clipboard to it’s context menu.
    I) When finished, go to step 5.
    4. To REMOVE “Copy to Clipboard” from the Context Menu
    A) In regedit, navigate to the location below for the file extension that you wish to remove Copy to Clipboard from.
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\shell\Copy to Clipboard
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cmdfile\shell\Copy to Clipboard
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\Copy to Clipboard
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rtffile\shell\Copy to Clipboard
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell\Copy to Clipboard
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VBSFile\shell\Copy to Clipboard
    B) In the left pane of regedit, right click on Copy to Clipboard, and click on Delete. (see screenshot below)
    C) Click on Yes to approve deleting the key. (see screenshot below)
    D) Repeat step 4 above for any other file extenstion that you wish to remove Copy to Clipboard from it’s context menu.
    E) When finished, continue on to step 5.
    5. Close Registry Editor.