Category: how to add computer name/workgroup name

  • Create an Elevated Program Shortcut

    How to Create an Elevated Program Shortcut without a UAC Prompt
    Information
    This will show you how to create a elevated “Run as administrator” shortcut of any installed program in Windows using Task Scheduler so that it will not give you a UAC prompt for permission when you start it while still having UAC turned on.
    In the tutorial, you will first create a new task, then a new shortcut to run the task. Afterwards, how to change the icon of the shortcut.
    Note
    Special thanks to OEM for pointing this out, and the previous Vista version by DMEX.
    You can run at startup as a task, Pin to Start Menu, Pin to Taskbar this shortcut, or move to where you like for easy use.
    Warning
    This shortcut and task can only be created and work while logged in as an administrator account. This shortcut will not work in a standard user account.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start Menu, then type taskschd.msc in the search line and press enter.
    NOTE:  
    This will open Task Scheduler. This file is located at:
    C:\Windows\system32\taskschd.msc.
    2. While having Task Scheduler Library selected in the left pane, click on Create task in the far right pane. (see screenshot below)
    3. Under the General tab, type in the “Name” of the program you want to create this shortcut for. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: 
    This will be the name of the task. As an example, I will use CCleaner for that program. Make note of this name, you will need it later in step 12 below.
    4. Check the Run with highest privileges box. (See screenshot below)
    5. Click on the Configure for drop down box to open it, and select Windows® 7, Windows Server™ 2008 R2. (see screenshot above and below)
    NOTE:
    This is like compatibility mode. If the program does not support running in Windows 7 normally, then you can select the OS that is does support running in instead to have it run in compatibility mode as if it was running in that OS instead of Windows 7.
    6. Click on the Actions tab, then on the new button. (See screenshot below)
    7. Under “Action”, select Start a program and click on the Browse button. (See screenshot below)
    8. Navigate to the .exe file of the program that you want to create this shortcut for, then select it and click on Open. (See screenshot below)
    9. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    10. Click on the Conditions tab, and un check the Stop if the computer switches to battery power box first, then un check the Start the task only if the computer is on AC power box. (See screenshots below)
    NOTE:
    This step is mostly for laptops, so that you will be able to run the program when the laptop is running on battery power.
    11. Click on OK. (See screenshots above)
    12. You will now see your new task created with the name (ex: CCleaner) you gave it in step 3. Close Task Scheduler. (See screenshot below)
    13. Right click on a empty area of the desktop, then click on New and Shortcut.
    14. Type in schtasks /run /tn task-name for the location, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below tip)
    Tip
    Substitute task-name with the name that you used in step 3 and see in step 12 (ex: CCleaner).
    NOTE:
    Note the space after schtasks, run, and tn in the commands below.
    For a Name without Spaces – For example, type:
    schtasks /run /tn CCleaner
    For a Name with Spaces – You will need to have quotes around the name if it has spaces. For example, type:
    schtasks /run /tn “Cleaner Program”
    15. Type in a name you want for the shortcut (ex: CCleaner), then click on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)
    16. Right click on the new shortcut (ex: CCleaner) on the desktop, then click on Properties.
    17. Click on the Shortcut tab and on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)
    18. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    19. Click on the Browse button. (See screenshot below)
    20. Navigate to the .exe file of the program that you have created this shortcut with, then select it and click on Open. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    If you have an icon of your own that you would prefer to use instead, and then navigate to where you have that icon saved at instead.
    21. Select the icon you want for the shortcut, and then click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    22. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    23. You can now run at startup as a task, Pin to Start Menu, Pin to Taskbar this shortcut, or move to where you like for easy use.
    24. When you run this new elevated shortcut, you will now no longer have to click on YES to approve the UAC prompt to allow the program run as administrator.
    Tip
    To Undo and Remove this Task:
    While having Task Scheduler Library selected in the left pane, right click on the task in the right pane that you created in step 12, then click on Delete and yes to approve.
    Delete the shortcut.
  • Convert a Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk

    How to Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk
    Information
    A disk is a separate physical hard drive. This will show you how to convert a dynamic, also known as “software RAID”, disk to a basic disk in Windows Disk Manager or in a command prompt. By default Windows uses Basic disks.
    Basic and dynamic disks both support using MBR and GPT partition (volume) styles.
    For more detailed information on basic and dynamic disks, see: Basic and Dynamic Disks (Windows)
    Warning
    VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ THIS FIRST.
    You must be a administrator to do this in Windows.
    Before you convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk, be sure to backup anything that you do not want to lose on that dynamic disk. Converting the dynamic disk back to a basic disk requires that all dynamic volumes are deleted on the disk first.
    If you disable the Disk Defragmenter service, then you will get the error below when you try to do anything in Disk Management. If you get this error, then make sure that the Disk Defragmenter service is set to only Manual.
    Using Disk Management
    WARNING:  
    Be sure to read the red WARNING box above, and backup any data on the dynamic disk that you wish to keep first. See OPTION FOUR below if you wanted to be able to convert a dynamic disk back to a primary disk without losing the data on it.
    1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the Administrative Tools icon, then close the Control Panel window.
    2. Click on Computer Management in Administrative Tools, then close the Administrative Tools window.
    3. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.
    4. In the left pane under Storage, click on Disk Management.
    5. In the dynamic disk (ex: Disk 1) that you want to convert to a basic disk, right click on each volume on the disk and click on Delete Volume until the whole disk is unallocated space.
    NOTE:
    If prompted, click on Yes to continue deleting the volume(s).
    6. If the disk (ex: Disk 1) that you want to convert to a basic disk is still displayed has being Dynamic (left side under Disk #), then right click on the disk (ex: Disk 1) and click on Convert to Basic Disk if available.
    7. You can also confirm that the disk is a basic disk if it’s displayed has being Basic (left side under Disk #), or if you right click on the disk # and it has Convert to Dynamic Disk instead now. (See screenshot below)
    8. You can now create partitions on the now basic disk if you like.
    9. When done, close Disk Management.
  • Install Themes From Windows 7


    How To Download And Install Themes From Windows Website
    Windows 7 Personalization allows you to change the wallpapers and also the themes. Setting different wallpaper is quite easy and just takes a couple of clicks as we know.
    But how can we change the theme?
    Microsoft Windows has a personalization gallery for users who would like to try different themes.

    Note:
    This article does not apply to Windows XP or Windows Vista
    Here’s how to download and set a new theme:
    Choose from different categories of themes like Animals, Automotive, and Nature etc.
    Just click on the theme you want to set and click on open.

    The theme gets downloaded and gets set automatically. Downloading of these themes is free and is unlimited.

    To change the theme, Right click on the desktop and go to “Personalize”
    You would find the newly installed themes in the list of “My Themes”. Just click on the theme once to set that theme!
  • Add or Remove Windows 7 Index Locations

    Information
    Windows 7 uses the index to perform very fast searches on your computer. This will show you how to add or remove folder locations to be included in the index search results.
    Note
    You will not be able to add removable locations to be included in the index. For example, USB flash drives or memory cards.
    Warning
    If you make the index too large by including the entire hard drive, or to many folders, then your searches will slow down and take longer for the search results to display. You will also find your hard drive running longer and more often in the background while the index updates itself for changes made to the included folder locations. For the best results, it is recommended that you only add folders that you search frequently to be included in the index.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and double click on the Indexing Options icon.
    2. Click on the Modify button.
    NOTE:
    You will notice a quick preview of included folder locations in the index here. These are the default locations.
    3. If You Don’t See All Locations on Your Computer in the List
    A) Click on the Show all locations button.
    B) If prompted by UAC, then either click on Yes or provide the Administrator password.
    4. To Add Folder Location to be Included in Index Search Results
    A) Continue to click on the arrows to the right of the check box to expand the folder tree until you reach the location of the folder you want to add, and select it.
    B) Check the selected folder’s box.
    5. To Remove Folder Location from being Included in Index Search Results
    A) Continue to click on the arrows to the right of the check box to expand the folder tree until you reach the location of the folder you want to remove, and select it.
    B) Uncheck the selected folder’s box.
    6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have finished adding or removing folder locations to be included in the index.
    7. When finished, click on OK.
    8. Click on the Close button.  
  • Assigning Computer Name and Workgroup in Windows 7

    Assigning Computer Name and Workgroup in Windows 7

    Assigning computer name and workgroup in Windows 7 is highly recommended, because it allows other computers to access your computer to access shared file or printer easily by using computer name. 

    Note: Please note you need to assign unique computer name on each computer, but can group all home computers under same workgroup for easy access. Default workgroup in Windows 7 is WORKGROUP
    1) Go to Start, right click Computer and click on Properties.
    2) System Properties window will appear, and you can see the configured computer name and also workgroup. Just click Change settings to change those settings.
    Note: You can also click Advanced system settings to make similar change.
    3) System Properties window will appear. Select Computer Name tab and then click Change
    4) Proceed to key in new computer name and workgroup name in Computer Name/Domain Changes window. Finally click OK button to close all windows and restart your computer.
    Note: Make sure computer name is unique in your network, not more then 15 characters and avoid from using this characters for naming your computer: ` ~ @ # $ % ^ & ( ) = + [ ] { } | ; : , ‘ “ . / ?