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Category: microsoft

  • How to find out if Windows 7 is a 32-bit or 64-bit System Type

    Information
    This article will show you how to tell if you have a 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 version.

    Here’s How:
    1. Press the Windows Key + Pause/Break key.
    A) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Open the Start Menu.
    A) Right click on the Computer button and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
    3. If You Have a 32-bit (x86) Windows 7 System Type
    4. If You Have a 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 System Type


    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZoGFk50M0k&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  • How to Convert a FAT or FAT32 Volume to NTFS in Windows 7

    Information
    This article will show you how to convert a drive or partition volume with a FAT (FAT16) or FAT32 file system to a NTFS file system in Windows 7 without having to format the volume and lose your data on it.

    Note
    Before you start to convert a FAT or FAT32 volume to NTFS, please consider the following limitations and requirements:
    UDF and CDfs file systems are only used with optical media and cannot be converted to NTFS.
    FAT12 is the only format used on floppy diskettes (as if these are used anymore ). This does not apply to a USB flash key though.
    The conversion to NTFS is a one-way process. After you convert a drive or a partition to NTFS, you cannot convert it back to FAT or to FAT32 unless you format it again as FAT or FAT32.
    The convert command requires that you have enough free space on the drive or on the partition that you want to convert to be able to convert it. If Convert.exe determines that there is not sufficient free space on the volume, it will not convert the volume.
    If the files are being used on the volume that you are trying to convert, then you will be prompted with:
    “Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Convert may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? “
    Quit all the programs that are using the files on the drive, and then type Y at the command prompt to convert the drive to NTFS.
    If the drive or partition volume that you are trying to convert is in use, then you will be prompted with:
    “Convert cannot gain exclusive access to the drive letter drive, so it cannot convert it now. Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts? “
    To resolve this issue, type Y at the command prompt. The volume or drive will be converted to NTFS the next time that you restart your computer.
    Warning
    Although the chance of corruption or data loss during the conversion is minimal, it is recommended that you backup any data that you do not want to lose on the volume that you want to convert before you start the conversion to be extra safe.
    The only way to convert a NTFS disk back to a FAT or FAT32 disk is to format the disk.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open a Elevated command prompt, or a command prompt at boot.
    2. In the elevated command prompt, type convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    Substitute drive letter for the drive letter of the FAT or FAT32 drive or partition that you want to convert to NTFS. For example, I want to convert my USB flash key with the drive letter G: , so I would type convert g: /fs:ntfs and press enter.
    3. If prompted to Enter current volume label for drive (drive letter) (ex: G: ), then enter the name (ex: NEW VOLUME) of this drive letter as it is displayed in the Computer window and press Enter. (see screenshots below)
    4. When the conversion to NTFS is complete, you receive the Conversion complete message. (See screenshot above)
    NOTE:
    This may take a while to convert depending on full and large the drive is. It may also seem like it has hung at points, but be patient and let it finish.
    5. Close the elevated command prompt.

  • How to Backup and Restore the Windows 7 Registry

    Information
    This will show you a few options on how to export the registry as a .reg file backup, and how to import the .reg file to restore to the registry in Windows 7. You can select to backup and restore all or part of the registry.

    Warning
    Importing or merging the .reg file backup will only restore the keys and values that were in the backup. If you have added new keys and values since the .reg file backup was created, then these items will not be affected when you import or merge the backup to the registry. If you wanted to replace the registry completely with a backup, then System Restore (see Method One in OPTION ONE & TWO below) will allow you to do this instead.
    OPTION ONE
    Backup Registry
    METHOD ONE
    Using System Restore
    NOTE: This is the best method to use since it will completely replace the current registry with the contents of the registry as it was on the date the restore point was created. However, using System Restore will also backup and restore all of the system files in Windows 7 and not just the registry.
    1. Create a restore point.
    NOTE:
    See information at that link for more details on this.
    METHOD TWO
    Export COMPLETE Registry as a Backup
    NOTE:
    This will allow you to export complete current registry to a .reg file as a backup.
    1. Open the Start menu and type regedit in the search line, then press Enter. (See screen shot below)
    2. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to approve.
    3. Click on File on the menu bar, then click on Export. (See screen shot below)
    4. Select where you want to save the exported .reg file to, select (dot) the All option under Export range, type in a name for the .reg file, and click on the Save button. (See screenshot below)
    METHOD THREE
    Export Only Part of the Registry as a Backup
    NOTE:
    This will allow you to only export a HKEY or key branch in the registry to a .reg file as a backup.
    1. Open the Start menu and type regedit in the search line, then press Enter. (See screenshot below)
    2. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to approve.
    3. To Export a Registry HKEY Branch –
    NOTE:
    This will allow you to back up the entire selected HKEY branch with all of its sub keys and key values to a .reg file as a backup.
    A) Right click on a HKEY branch that you want to backup, and click on Export. (See screenshot below)
    B) Select where you want to save the exported .reg file to, type in a name for the .reg file, and click on the Save button. (See screenshot below)

    4. To Export a Registry KEY Branch –
    NOTE:
    This will allow you to backup the entire selected KEY branch under a HKEY with all of it’s subkeys and key values to a .reg file as a backup.
    A) Right click on a KEY branch under the HKEY that you want to backup, and click on Export. (See screenshot below)
    B) Select where you want to save the exported .reg file to, type in a name for the .reg file, and click on the Save button. (See screenshot below step 3B)
    OPTION TWO
    Restore Registry
    METHOD ONE
    From a System Restore Point
    NOTE: This will replace your current registry and system files in Windows 7 by restoring the registry and system files in Windows 7 back to how they were on the date the restore point (Option One, Method One) was created.
    1. Do a System Restore using a restore point with the date you want to restore you Windows 7 registry and system files back to.
    NOTE: See information at link for more details on this.
    METHOD TWO
    From a REG File to Restore All of the Registry
    NOTE:  
    This will allow you to replace and restore only the keys and values that were in the backup .reg file (Option One, Method Two) at the date it was created. Any added new keys and values since the .reg file backup was created will not be affected by the backup.
    1. Using the System Recovery Options, select to boot into a Command Prompt.
    NOTE:  
    You will need to boot into a command prompt at boot to be able to restore the entire registry. You will not be able to from within Windows 7 since some of the registry keys will be in use with access denied.
    2. In the command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. (See screenshot below step 3)
    3. In the command prompt, type list volume and press Enter.
    NOTE:  
    Make note of what the drive letter is for your Windows 7 drive or partition. Remember, if Windows 7 created a 200 MB system partition during installation, then Windows 7 will not be on the C: drive, but instead on the D: drive if Windows 7 is the only OS installed on your computer. (See screenshot below)
    4. In the command prompt, type exit and press Enter. (See screenshot above)
    5. In the same command prompt, type regedit /s “full path to saved .reg file” and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:  
    For example, I only have Windows 7 installed with the 200 MB system partition it created during installation. I saved my Registry Backup.reg file to my desktop on the D: drive (from step 3), so I would type:
    regedit /s D:\Users\User-Name\Desktop\Registry Backup.reg
    and press Enter. Your file path will vary of course.
    6. Close the command prompt window, and restart the computer.
    METHOD THREE
    From a REG File to Restore Part of the Registry
    NOTE: This will allow you to replace and restore only the keys and values that were in the backup .reg file (Option One, Method Three) at the date it was created. Any added new keys and values since the .reg file backup was created will not be affected by the backup.
    1. Merge from the REG File –
    A) Right click on the backup .reg file and click on Merge. (See screenshot below)
    B) Click on Yes and Yes to approve the merge.
    C) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Import from Regedit –
    A) Open the Start menu and type regedit in the search line, then press Enter. (See screenshot below)
    B) If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to approve.
    C) Click on File on the menu bar, then click on Import. (See screenshot below)
    D) Navigate to where you saved the backup .reg file and select it, then click on the Save button. (See screenshot below)
    E) You will now see the import progress window. (See screenshot below)
    3. Click on OK.
    Tip
    If you get the error below, then you will need to do OPTION TWO – Method Two instead to restore the backup .reg file since the keys in the backup are in use.


    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkmNKmXHrAw&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0]

  • Speed Up the Shut Down Time in Windows 7

    Information:
    This article will show you how to set the Wait to Kill time Windows 7 waits for programs to save data and close before shutting down.
    This process is applicable to Windows Xp and Windows Vista as well

    Warning:
    You should always save and close all programs before shutting down the computer to help prevent any data loss.
    Solutions:
    Through Registry Editor
    1. Open the Start Menu.
    2. In the search box, type regedit and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
    3. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
    4. In the right pane, right click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)
    5. Type in a number between 2000-20000 (2-20 seconds) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    The default time is 12000. I use 2000 (2 seconds) and have not had any problems. Your experience may vary.
    6. Close regedit.
    NOTE:
    If you have problems with programs from your computer shutting down to quickly, then repeat the above steps and increase the time (step 5) a bit.
    This process is applicable to Windows Xp and Windows Vista as well

  • How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows 7

    Information
    If one or more of your icons are not displaying correctly, or that your icon cache is corrupted, then you might consider rebuilding the icon cache to reset and reload the icon images into the icon cache.
    This  article is also applicable for Windows Xp and Windows Vista

    Note
    This will not help with any of the following icon issues:
    A shortcut’s icon that is not displayed properly due to the source of the shortcut being moved or deleted. You may need to recreate a new shortcut directly from the source (ex: program’s exe) file to replace it instead.
    All icons for a specific file extension display the wrong icon. This may be do to setting the wrong association for what program to open the file extension instead. You can restore the default file extension’s associations to fix this icon instead.
    Solution:
    Rebuild the Icon Cache using the Command Prompt
    1. Close and save anything that you are working on. This command will kill explorer and restart the computer when completed.
    2. Open the Start Menu, and type cmd in the search box and press enter.
    3. In the command prompt, Copy and Paste each command line below exactly as is and press enter after each command.
    taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
    CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
    DEL IconCache.db /a
    shutdown /r
    4. The IconCache.db file has now been rebuilt.

  • Bootmgr is missing – Fix

    You may get this error while booting your computer.
    Information
    This problem is not hardware related and can be fixed with a Windows 7 DVD OR a system repair disc.

    Here’s How TO ACHIVE THIS:
    NOTE: Sometimes it may take running a startup repair a few times before it fully fixes the startup issue.
    1. Boot to the System Recovery Options screen.
    2. Select the Startup Repair option. (See screenshot below)
    3. Now click on Startup Repair. Run the startup repair and it will attempt to fix this issue.
    NOTE:
    It will ask you to reboot your system. Reboot to see if it works. If it doesn’t work, follow step 4.
    4. Click on Command Prompt.
    A) Type c: and press .
    B) At the C:\ prompt, type cd boot and press .
    C) At the C:\Boot prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each command.
    Code:
    bootrec /RebuildBcd
    bootrec /FixMbr
    bootrec /FixBoot

    D) Now close the command prompt, remove the DVD and reboot your computer.

  • How to Change the Default Operating System to Start in Windows 7

    Information
    If you dual boot with one or more operating systems installed other than Windows 7, then this will show you how to change the default operating system to start in the Windows Boot Manager.

    EXAMPLE: Windows Boot Manager
    NOTE:
    This is the boot screen where you select what operating system that you would like to start. By default, you have 30 seconds to choose another operating system before the default operating system will start automatically.
    Option One
    Through Startup and Recovery
    1. Open the Start Menu.
    A) Right click on the Computer button on the dark right side and click on Properties.
    B) Go to step 3.
    OR
       
    2. Open the Control Panel (All Items view) and click on the System icon.
    3. In the left blue pane, click on the Advanced system settings link. (See screenshot below)
    4. Close the System window. (See screenshot above)
    5. Under the Advanced tab, click on the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. (See screenshot below)
    6. Under System Startup, select a operating system from the drop down menu to be the new default operating system, then click on OK. (See screenshots below)
    7. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5)
    Option Two
    Through System Configuration
    1. Open the Start Menu.
    A) In the search line, type msconfig.exe and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
    B) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Open the Control Panel (All Items view) and click on the Administrative Tools icon and System Configuration.
    A) Close the Administrative Tools window.
    3. Click on the Boot tab. (See screenshot below)
    4. Select another operating system that is not set as the Default OS to be the new default operating system instead. (See screenshot above)
    5. Check the Make all boot settings permanent box, and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3)
    6. Click on Yes to confirm. (See screenshot below)
    7. Click on the Restart button. (See screenshot below)
    WARNING:
    This will restart the computer immediately. Make sure you save and close anything open that you do not want to lose first.



    http://www.linkedtube.com/static/flash/player.swf?sum=How%20to%20Change%20the%20Default%20Operating%20System%20to%20Start%20in%20Windows%207&btn=TechSupp247&txt=Tech%20Supp%20247&vis=always&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftechsupp247&vid=gsY8Ib7-NOk

  • How to Enable/Disable Fast User Switching In Windows 7

    Computer’s are often shared between multiple users, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 makes it easier for users to share a computer using the Fast User Switching feature enabled, it allows more than one user to log on simultaneously at a single computer, if you are currently logged onto a computer, another user can log on to watch movies or play games, without you having to close your open programs and log off. Once the user is finished, you can return to your session with all your programs running.
    ** This process will work on Windows Xp and Windows Vista as well.

    Method 1: Using Local Group Policy Editor
    Click Start, type gpedit.msc in the Start Search or Run dialog box and press Enter.
    Now navigate to the following location:
    Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon
    To Disable Fast User Switching:
    Set Hide entry points for Fast User Switching to Enabled. By enabling the policy, Administrators can hide the Switch user button in the Logon UI, the Start menu and the Task Manager.
    To Enable Fast User Switching:
    Set Hide entry points for Fast User Switching to not configured for enabling Fast User Switching.
    Method 2: Using Registry
    To change settings via registry, follow these simple steps:
    Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search or Run dialog box and press Enter.
    Navigate to the following branch:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ System
    Create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named HideFastUserSwitching by right clicking on the right side of the editor and selecting New >  DWORD(32bit) Value.
    Set the Value data for HideFastUserSwitching to 1
    ** This process will work on Windows Xp and Windows Vista as well.

  • How to Speed Up the Shut Down Time in Windows 7


    Information
    This article will show you how to set the Wait to Kill time Windows 7 waits for programs to save data and close before shutting down. This process can be performed on Windows Xp and Vista as well.
    Warning
    You should always save and close all programs before shutting down the computer to help prevent any data loss.
    Through the Registry
    1. Open the Start Menu.
    2. In the search box, type regedit and press Enter. (See screen shot below)
    3. In regedit, go to: (See screen shot below)
    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
    4. In the right pane, right click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)
    5. Type in a number between 2000-20000 (2-20 seconds) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    The default time is 12000. I use 2000 (2 seconds) and have not had any problems. Your experience may vary depending on Xp or vista.
    6. Close regedit.
    NOTE:
    If you have problems with programs shutting down too quickly, then repeat the above steps and increase the time (step 5) a bit and as i mentioned this trick works on Windows Xp as well.

  • How to Enable or Disable Windows Media Center

    Information
    This article will show you how to enable or disable Windows Media Center from being able to run by all users in Windows 7.

    Windows Media Center is not available in the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions.
    EXAMPLE:
    Windows Media Center Disabled Message
    NOTE:
    This is the error message that will be displayed when a user tries to open Windows Media Center when it is disabled.
    OPTION ONE
    Through the Local Group Policy Editor
    1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
    2. In the left pane, click on the arrow to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, then click on Windows Media Center. (see screenshot below)
    3. In the right pane, right click on Do not allow Windows Media Center to run and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)
    4. To Enable Windows Media Center
    A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    B) Go to step 6.
    5. To Disable Windows Media Center
    Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
    OPTION TWO
    Through “Set Program Access and Computer Defaults”
    1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Default Programs icon.
    2. Click on the Set program access and computer defaults link. (see screenshot below)
    3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
    4. Click on the Custom gray bar or arrow to expand it. (see screenshot below)
    5. To Enable Windows Media Center
    A) Under the Choose a default media player section, check the Enable access to this program box to the right of Windows Media Center, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    B) Go to step 7.
    6. To Disable Windows Media Center
    Under the Choose a default media player section, uncheck the Enable access to this program box to the right of Windows Media Center, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
    7. Close the Default Programs window. (see screenshot below step 2)