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Category: operating system

  • How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 7

    Information
    This will show you how to map or unmap a shared folder on your computer or shared network folder from a computer on your network to create a shortcut of it as a drive with a drive letter in the Computer window for easier access.
    Note:
    You will need to be connected to your network to be able to map a shared network folder as a drive from it.
    You will be able to map a shared folder on your computer as a drive whether you are connected to a network or not since it’s on your computer and does not require a network connection to access it.

    EXAMPLE:
    A Mapped Network Drive
    NOTE:
    For example, this is a shared network folder from a server on my network that was mapped as a drive on my computer.
    OPTION ONE
    Map a Network Drive
    1. Open the Start Menu and click on the Computer button on the right dark side.
    2. Click on the Map network drive toolbar button. (See screenshot below)
    3. Select a drive letter that you want to be assigned to this mapped network drive. (see screenshot below)
    4. Click on the Browse button. (See screenshot below)
    5. Select a listed shared folder on your computer OR a shared network folder that you want to have mapped as a drive, then click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    6. If you want to always have the map network drive available in the Computer window, then check the Reconnect at logon box. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    If you do not check the Reconnect at logon box, then the mapped network drive in Computer will be disconnected (unmapped) automatically whenever you log off or restart the computer next.
    7. If you want to log on to network for the shared network folder with a different user name and password than what you already have set for this network connection, then check the Connect using different credentials box. (see screenshot below step 9)
    NOTE:
    Normally you would leave this option unchecked unless you wanted to log on as a different user on the network than the default one you already have set up.
    8. Click on Finish. (see screenshot below step 6)
    9. If you checked the Connect using different credentials box in step 7, then you will now be prompted to enter the user name and password that you want to use instead to log on to the network with. If you want to be automatically logged on each time you open the mapped network drive, then check the Remember my credentials box. Click on OK after entering them. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    If not, then skip this step and continue to step 10.
    10. You will now have a mapped network drive of this shared folder or shared network folder in Computer. (See screenshot below)
    OPTION TWO
    Unmap a Network Drive
    NOTE:
    This will disconnect the mapped network drive to only remove it from the Computer window. It will not delete the shared folder or shared network folder.
    1. Open the Start Menu and click on the Computer button on the right dark side.
    2. Right click on the mapped network drive that you want to unmap, and click on Disconnect. (See screenshot below)
    3. The mapped network drive is now unmapped, and will no longer show in the Computer window.

  • How to Turn ClickLock On or Off in Windows 7

    Information
    In this tutorial you will learn about the usage of mouse ClickLock to easily select multiple objects.

    Note
    ClickLock enables you to highlight or drag without holding down the mouse button.
    Tip
    This feature is very useful for selecting items with a laptop touchpad.
    Here’s how:
    1. Open the Start menu. Type in “Mouse” (without the quotation marks) and hit Enter.
    2. To Turn On ClickLock –
    A) At the bottom of the dialog box, check the “Turn on ClickLock” box. Then, hit the “Apply” button, and then the “OK” button.
    B) Go to step 4.
    3. To Turn Off ClickLock –
    A) At the bottom of the dialog box, uncheck the “Turn on ClickLock” box. Then, hit the “Apply” button, and then the “OK” button. (See screenshot above)
    B) You’re done.
    4. Let’s go to a folder with some items. Press and hold the left mouse button and slowly begin to make a selection. After 3 seconds of the left mouse button being held, release it. You will notice that the process of selecting is still ongoing. This also works for selecting text and other content.
    Tip
    You can adjust how long you have to hold the mouse button before ClickLock activates by going to the Mouse options again and clicking the “Settings” button to the right of the “ClickLock” checkbox. Drag the slider to adjust this setting.

  • How to Manually Sync Your Offline Files in Windows 7

    Information
    When you make a network file, or all files in a network folder, available offline, Windows creates a copy of the file or folder on your computer. This is called an offline file. The next time you disconnect from the network, you’ll still be able to open, modify, and save the file the same way you would if you were still connected. And when you do connect to the network again, Windows will automatically sync the offline file on your computer with the corresponding file on the network for the latest changes.
    When you are connected to the network, this will show you how to also manually sync your offline files whenever you like to have the latest versions of files stored on the network right away.

    METHOD ONE
    Through Sync Center
    1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the Sync Center icon.
    2. To Sync All Offline Files at Once –
    A) Select the Offline Files folder to only highlight it, then click on the Sync toolbar button. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    Notice the Status of when the offline files have last been synced under the progress bar.
    B) You will now notice the progress bar fully green to indicate that the sync completed. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    After a few moments, the progress bar and status will return to normal like above with the new last sync date and time now.
    C) Go to step 4.
    3. To Sync Only a Single or Multiple Offline Files –
    NOTE:
    Notice the Status of when the offline files in the offline folders have last been synced under the progress bar.
    A ) Click on the Offline Files folder to open it. (see screenshot above)
    B) To Sync All Offline Files at Once –
    Click on the Sync All toolbar button. (see screenshot below)
    C) To Sync all Offline Files in Only One or More Selected Offline Folders –
    Select One or More offline folders, and click on the Sync toolbar button. (see screen shots below)
    D) You will now notice the progress bar(s) fully green to indicate that the sync completed for the select offline folders. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    After a few moments, the progress bar and status will return to normal like above with the new last sync date and time now.
    4. When done, close the Sync Center.
    METHOD TWO
    From the Offline Files Location
    1. Browse to the network folder that is or contains the file(s) that are set as Always available offline. (see screenshot below)
    2. To Sync All Offline Files in Selected Offline Folders at Once –
    A) Select one or more offline folders, then right click on a selected offline folder and click on Sync and Sync selected offline files. (see screenshot below)
    OR
    B) Open a offline folder, then click on the Sync toolbar drop down menu and Sync selected offline files in this folder. (see screenshot below)
    C) Go to step 4.
    3. To Sync Selected Offline Files in a Selected Network Folder –
    NOTE: This is for when only one or a few files in a network folder have been made always available offline and not the network folder itself.
    A) Open a network folder that contains the offline files. (see screenshot below step 1)
    NOTE:
    This network folder will not have the green Sync Center overlay icon on it’s icon since it is not a offline folder, but only contains offline files.
    B) To Sync All Offline Files at Once in the Network Folder –
    Click on the Sync toolbar drop down menu and Sync selected offline files in this folder. (see screenshot below) (see screenshot below)
    C) To Sync one or more Offline Files in a Selected Network Folder –
    Select one or more offline files, then right click on a selected offline file and click on Sync and Sync selected offline files. (see screenshot below)
    D) The offline files have now been synced.

  • How to Import and Export Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings


    Information
    By default, Windows 7 Internet Explorer displays pop-ups that appear as a result of you clicking a link or button. Pop-up Blocker, when turned on, blocks pop-ups that are displayed automatically (without you clicking a link or button).
    This article will show you how to import and export all of your personal Pop-up Blocker settings in Internet Explorer in Windows 7 and Vista.
    Note
    It can be handy to backup your Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker settings by exporting them to a REG file so that you can use it to easily import your settings back, say after a clean install of Windows 7 or after resetting Internet Explorer.
    EXAMPLE:
    Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings
    OPTION ONE
    To Export Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings
    1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.
    2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista).
    3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\New Window
    4. In the left pane, right click on New Window and click on Export. (see screenshot above)
    5. Navigate to your Desktop, then type in a name (ex: IE_Pop_up_Blocker_Settings) for this REG file and click on the Save button.
    6. Now move this exported REG file to where you like to keep it at as a backup of all of your personal Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker settings.
    OPTION TWO
    To Import Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings
    1. Double click on the exported REG file (ex: IE_Pop_up_Blocker_Settings.reg) that was exported from OPTION ONE above.
    2. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista), Yes, and OK.
    3. If open, close and reopen all instances of Internet Explorer to apply.

  • How to Change the Windows Media Center Parental Controls Access Code

    Information
    This will show you how to change your access code for the Windows Media Center Parental Controls after you already have Parental Controls setup.
    Note
    This access code is used to access restricted content or to change parental control settings in Windows Media Center. Be sure to write it down somewhere safe in case you forget it.
    Windows Media Center is not available in the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions.
    This article is not applicable for Windows Xp
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start Menu, and click on All Programs and Windows Media Center to open Windows Media Center.
    2. In Media Center, scroll down to Tasks and select Settings. (see screenshot below)
    3. Select the General option. (see screenshot below)
    4. Select the Parental Controls option. (see screenshot below)
    5. Type in a your current 4-digit access code. (see screenshot below)
    6. Select Change Access Code. (see screenshot below)
    7. Type in a new 4-digit access code, then type it in again to confirm it. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    Be sure to write it down somewhere safe in case you forget it.
    8. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    9. Your access code has now been changed. You can now close Windows Media Center when finished if you like.

    This article is not applicable for Windows XP

  • How to Reset Windows Media Center Parental Controls to Default

    Information
    This will show you how to reset Windows Media Center Parental Controls back to default to remove the access code and disable all restrictions.
    Windows Media Center is not available in the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start Menu, and click on All Programs and Windows Media Center to open Windows Media Center.
    2. In Media Center, scroll down to Tasks and select Settings. (see screenshot below)
    3. Select the General option. (see screenshot below)
    4. Select the Parental Controls option. (see screenshot below)
    5. Type in a your current 4-digit access code. (see screenshot below)
    6. Select Reset Parental Controls. (see screenshot below)
    7. Click on Yes. (see screenshot below)
    8. Parental Controls have now been reset. You can now close Windows Media Center when finished if you like.


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

  • How to Setup and Use Windows Media Center Parental Controls

    Information
    You can use Parental Controls in Windows Media Center to prevent children or users from watching objectionable TV shows and movies.
    This article will show you how to setup and use Media Center Parental Controls.
    Parental Controls aren’t available in some countries or regions.
    Media Center uses the ratings from the TV broadcast signal to determine which shows to block. In rare cases, the Guide rating might not match the rating information received from the TV broadcast signal.
    Only TV shows and movies that don’t exceed the maximum allowed rating can be viewed without the access code. Not all TV shows and movies are rated, so you can also configure Parental Controls to block unrated content.
    Windows Media Center is not available in the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions.

    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start Menu, and click on All Programs and Windows Media Center to open Windows Media Center.
    2. In Media Center, scroll down to Tasks and select Settings. (see screenshot below)

    3. Select the General option. (see screenshot below)

    4. Select the Parental Controls option. (see screenshot below)

    5. If First Time Setting Up Parental Controls in Windows Media Center
    A) Type in a new 4-digit access code, then type it in again to confirm it. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    This access code is used to access restricted content or to change parental control settings. Be sure to write it down somewhere safe in case you forget it.

    B) Go to step 7.
    6. If You Have Setup Parental Controls Before in Windows Media Center
    A) Type in a your 4-digit access code. (see screenshot below)

    7. From here you can select to setup or change the TV Ratings or Movie/DVD Ratings. (see screenshot below)

    8. To Setup or Change TV Ratings
    A) Select TV Ratings. (see screenshot above)
    B) You can now make these changes to the TV Ratings: (see screenshots below 8C)
    Select (check) the Turn on TV blocking check box, and then use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to select a maximum allowed rating.
    If you want to restrict content that’s not rated, then select the Block unrated TV programs check box
    To adjust the settings by content in addition to rating, click Advanced. There are five areas that you can set restrictions for: fantasy violence, suggestive dialogue, offensive language, sexual content, and violence.
    C) When done click on Save to save your settings. (see screenshot below)

    9. To Setup or Change Movie/DVD Ratings
    A) Select Movie/DVD Ratings. (see screenshot below step 7)
    B) You can now make these changes to the Movie/DVD Ratings: (see screenshots below 9C)
    Select (check) the Turn on movie blocking check box, and then use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to select a rating.
    If you want to restrict content that’s not rated, then select the Block unrated movies check box.
    C) When done click on Save to save your settings. (see screenshot below)

    10. You can now close Windows Media Center when finished if you like.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y2Uw47QakA&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  • 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]