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  • How to Install, Enable, and Disable Windows Virtual PC Integration Features

    Information
    The Integration Components package contains integration features, which improve the interactions between the virtual machine (guest) and the physical computer (host).
    This article will show you how to install, enable, and disable them in Windows Virtual PC. Once you have installed the integration components in a virtual machine, you will be able to enable or disable the integration features at will.

    Note
    After the Integration Components package is installed, you can turn some of the integration features on or off by modifying the virtual machine settings. The two exceptions are mouse integration and time synchronization, which are always turned on when the package is installed.
    Windows Virtual PC Integration Features:
    Mouse integration – This makes it possible for you to move the mouse seamlessly between the desktops of the host operating system and the guest operating system.
    Time synchronization – This keeps the time in the guest operating system (virtual machine) synchronized with the host operating system (your Windows 7 computer).
    Audio – This setting controls whether audio input and output for the virtual machine is redirected to audio devices in the host, or is managed by an emulated audio device. To improve audio performance, clear the check box for a virtual machine running Windows XP, and select the check box for a virtual machine running Windows Vista or Windows 7.
    Clipboard – You can copy and paste data between the host operating system and the guest operating system. For example, you can copy a URL from the browser in a guest operating system, and paste it to a browser in the host operating system.
    Hard drives – This feature shares the drives you select on the host with the virtual machine so that you can easily access host data from within the virtual machine.
    This feature also makes it possible to access the host desktop and Documents folder from virtual applications when you select those resources to share.
    Printers – This feature makes it possible to share printers between the host operating system and guest operating system. To share printers when Windows XP is the guest operating system, you must also install the printer drivers.
    USB devices – Printers, storage devices, and smart card readers are automatically shared with virtual machines. Other types of supported USB devices are supported by redirecting them to the virtual machine.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the virtual machine in Windows Virtual PC.
    2. To Install Integration Components
    NOTE: You would only have this option if you have not installed the Integration Components in this specific virtual machine yet. If you have, then you will have the option to either Enable Integration Features or Disable Integration Features instead.
    A) Click on Tools on the virtual machine menu bar, and click on Install Integration Components. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    You may need to press CTRL+ALT+Left Arrow to move the mouse pointer out of the virtual machine to click on the menu bar.
    B) Click on Continue. (see screenshot below)B) Click on Continue. (see screenshot below)
    C) Click on Run Setup.exe. (see screenshot below)
    D) Click on Next. (see screenshot below)
    E) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
    F) When it’s finished installing, click on Finish. (see screenshot below)
    G) Click on Yes to restart the virtual machine. (see screenshot below)
    H) Log on to the virtual machine by typing in your password for the virtual machine and pressing enter. (see screenshot below)
    I) You will now need to enable the integration features. Continue to step 3.
    3. To Enable Integration Features
    NOTE:
    You will only be able to enable the integration features if you had already installed the integration components (step 1). After the first time you do this, you will usually only need to do step 3A to enable the integration features.
    A) Click on Tools on the virtual machine menu bar, and click on Enable Integration Features. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    You may need to press CTRL+ALT+Left Arrow to move the mouse pointer out of the virtual machine to click on the menu bar.
    B) Check the Remember my credentials box, and click on Use another account. (see screenshot below)
    C) Type in your user name and password for this virtual machine, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    D) Integration features will now be enabled.
    4. To Disable Integration Features
    A) Click on Tools on the virtual machine menu bar, and click on Disable Integration Features. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    You may need to press CTRL+ALT+Left Arrow to move the mouse pointer out of the virtual machine to click on the menu bar.
    B) Log on to the virtual machine by typing in your password for the virtual machine and pressing enter. (see screenshot below)
    C) Integration features will now be disabled.

    So now you have 2 Operating system’s at the cost of one, Windows 7 and Windows XP

  • How to Open Windows PowerShell in Windows 7

    Information
    Windows PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting environment program included in Windows 7 that brings the power of the .NET Framework to command-line users and script writers to help IT professionals and power users control and automate the administration of the Windows operating system and applications that run on Windows. It introduces a number of powerful new concepts that enables you to extend the knowledge you have gained and the scripts you have created within the Windows Command Prompt and Windows Script Host environments.

    Built-in Windows PowerShell commands, called cmdlets, let you manage the computers in your enterprise from the command line. You can use each cmdlet separately, but their power is realized when you use these simple tools in combination to perform complex tasks. Windows PowerShell includes more than one hundred basic core cmdlets, and you can write your own cmdlets and share them with other users.
    This tutorial will show you how to open the PowerShell command-line shell. For more detailed information on PowerShell, see: Windows PowerShell
    EXAMPLE:
    Windows PowerShell Command-Line Shell
    NOTE:
    If you have 64-bit Windows 7, then you will have both a 32-bit (x86) (top left screenshot below) and 64-bit (top right screenshot below) version of Windows PowerShell. You can also use Run as administrator on both of these versions to open a elevated Windows PowerShell (bottom screenshot below).
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start Menu, click on All Programs, expand Accessories, and expand the Windows PowerShell folder. (see screenshot below)
    2. If you have a 64-bit Windows 7
    A) Click on the Windows PowerShell (x86) shortcut to open a 32-bit Windows Powershell.
    NOTE:
    This file is located at:
    C:\Windows\sysWOW64\Windowspowershell\v1.0\powershell.exe
    B) Click on the Windows PowerShell shortcut to open a 64-bit Windows Powershell.
    NOTE:
    This file is located at: C:\Windows\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
    3. If you have a 32-bit Windows 7
    A) Click on the Windows PowerShell shortcut to open Windows Powershell.
    NOTE:
    This file is located at: C:\Windows\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
    4. To have Windows PowerShell “Run as Administrator”
    A) In step 2 or 3 above, right click on the shortcut (Start Menu) or file, and click on Run as administrator.

  • How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker

    Information
    The sfc /scannow command (System File Checker) scans the integrity of all protected Windows 7 system files and replaces incorrect corrupted, changed, or damaged versions with the correct versions if possible.

    Warning
    Be aware that if you have modified your system files as in changed theme explorer/system files, running sfc /scannow will revert the system files such as explorer.exe back to its default state. Make the appropriate backups of your system files that you have modified for theme if you wish to save them before running sfc /scannow.
    OPTION ONE
    To Run the SFC /SCANNOW Command
    1. Open a elevated command prompt.
    2. To Scan and Repair System Files
    NOTE:
    Scans the integrity of all protected system files and repairs the system files if needed. Please see red WARNING box at the top of this tutorial.
    A) In the elevated command prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    This may take a little bit to finish.
    B) Go to step 4.
    3. To Only Verify if the System Files are Corrupted
    NOTE:
    Scans and only verifies the integrity of all protected system files only. This command will not change your system files as in the red WARNING box at the top of this tutorial.
    A) In the elevated command prompt, type sfc /verifyonly and press Enter.
    4. When the scan is complete, hopefully you will see all is OK like the screen shot below.
    NOTE:
    If not, then you can attempt to run a System Restore using a restore point dated before the bad file occurred, to fix it. You may need to repeat  a System Restore until you find a older restore point that may work.
    5. When done, close the elevated command prompt.
    OPTION TWO
    How to See and Read the SFC /SCANNOW Scan Results
    NOTE:
    When SFC runs, it logs it’s actions to the C:\WINDOWS\LOGS\CBS\CBS.LOG. This will show you how to see only the specific SFC entries with the [SR] tags in the CBS.log. This can be helpful to show you what files SFC could not fix automatically if you wanted to try and manually replace them. For more on this, see: How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista.
    1. Open a elevated command prompt.
    2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    This will place a sfcdetails.txt file on your desktop with the SFC scan details from the CBS.LOG.
    Code:
    findstr /c:”[SR]” %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log >%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt
    3. Close the elevated command prompt.
    4. Open the sfcdetails.txt file on your desktop to see the SFC scan details in the CBS.LOG.
    5. You can safely delete the sfcdetails.txt file afterwards if you like.
    Tip:
    If you need to replace a corrupted system file that SFC cannot fix, then this will show you how to by extracting a new copy directly from your Windows 7 installation DVD.
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD

  • How to Rebuild the Windows 7 Index

    Information
    If the Windows 7 index cannot find a file in its search results that you know exists or not exists in an indexed location, then this will show you how to manually rebuild and update the index to have accurate search results from changes to the included locations since the last rebuild or update.

    Note
    The index will often run (indexing) automatically in the background to rebuild and update for changes made to the included index locations since the last index rebuild to increase search result accuracy.
    By default, the indexing speed is reduced due to user activity. If the computer is running idle, then the indexing speed will be at full speed instead to finish indexing faster.
    Warning
    Rebuilding the index can take several hours, and searches might be incomplete until the index is fully rebuilt.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and double click on the Indexing Options icon.
    2. Click on the advanced button. (See screenshot below)
    3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
    4. Click on the Rebuild button. (See screenshot below)
    5. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    6. After a moment, you will notice the index being rebuilt. 
    7. Once it is done Click on Close. (See screenshot below)


    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWmIp-amcr0&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  • How to Setup and Use ReadyBoost in Windows 7

    Information
    This article will show you how to setup and use ReadyBoost in Windows 7 with USB flash drives and flash memory cards to help speed up your computer.

    Note
    ·         You can enable or disable ReadyBoost for a specific flash drive or other removable storage device (ex: memory card).
    ·         For ReadyBoost to effectively speed up your computer, the flash drive or memory card should have at least 1 GB of free available space.
    ·         Windows 7 shows you how much space it recommends that you allow it to reserve and use on the flash drive or memory card for optimal performance at the bottom of the properties window. (See screenshot below step 4B below)
    ·         If your flash drive or card doesn’t have enough available space for ReadyBoost, you’ll see a message telling you to free some space on it.
    ·         For best results, use a flash drive or flash memory card with at least double the amount of available space as the amount of memory (RAM) in your computer.
     Warning
    ·         If your Windows 7 is installed on a solid-state drive (SSD), you may not see an option to speed up your computer with ReadyBoost when you plug in a USB flash drive or flash memory card. This is because SSD drives are faster and they’re very unlikely to benefit from using ReadyBoost.

    ·         In some situations, you might not be able to use all of the memory on your device to speed up your computer. For example, some flash memory devices contain both slow and fast flash memory, but ReadyBoost can only use fast flash memory to speed up your computer.

    ·         ReadyBoost cannot beat the performance gain by just adding more RAM in your computer instead.
    Here’s How:
    1. Plug a USB flash drive or flash memory card that you want to use ReadyBoost with into your computer.
    2. If AutoPlay pops-up, click on Speed up my system. (See screenshot below)
    A) Go to step 4.
    OR
    3. If AutoPlay does not pop-up, then open the Start Menu and click on Computer. In Computer, right click on the USB flash drive or flash memory card, and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
    4. To Turn On ReadyBoost –
    A) To use all of the flash drive or memory card free space for ReadyBoost –
    Select Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost. (See screenshot below)
    B) To specify how much free space on the flash drive or memory to use for ReadyBoost –
    Select Use this device. (See screenshot below)
    Either slide the slider or enter the amount of free space you want to reserve to ReadyBoost.
    NOTE:
    See the note box at the top of the tutorial for details about how much free space to use.
    5. To Turn Off ReadyBoost –
    Select Do not use this device. (See screenshots above)
    6. Click on OK.
    7. You will see this for a brief moment while Windows 7 configures the ReadyBoost cache on your flash drive or memory card. (See screenshot below)
    Tip
    To Temporarily Remove the ReadyBoost Device
    NOTE:
    If you wanted to temporarily remove the USB flash drive or memory card that ReadyBoost is currently using, then this will show you how to safely remove it.
    1. Open the Start Menu and click on Computer, then right click on the USB flash drive or flash memory card being used by ReadyBoost, and click on Eject. (See screenshots below)
    A) Click on Continue. (See screenshot below)
    B) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area on the right side of the taskbar, then click on the USB flash drive or flash memory card being used by ReadyBoost to eject it. (See screenshot below)
    3. When you see this, it is now safe to remove the USB flash drive or flash memory card. (See screenshot below)
    4. When ready, you can just plug the USB flash drive or flash memory card back in to have ReadyBoost automatically start using it again.


    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq_tRLXM5_E&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  • How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 7

     
    Information
    This article will show you how to change the product key number in Windows 7 so that you can use another product key number to activate your Windows 7.
    This can be helpful if you have entered the incorrect or no product key number during installation, or you just wanted to use a different product key .
    This process may or may not work on Windows Xp.

    Note
    You can only use a product key for the same Windows 7 edition that you currently have installed. For example, you cannot change the product key in Windows 7 Home Premium with a Windows 7 Ultimate product key.
    OPTION ONE
    Change Product Key Number in System Properties
    1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the System icon.
    A) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Open the Start Menu, and right click on the Computer button and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
    3. Under the Windows activation section at the bottom, click on the Change product key link. (See screenshot below)
    4. Type in your new valid Windows 7 product key that you want to change it to, and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
    5. If activation was successful, then click on the Close button. (See screenshot below)
    Note
    If the product key is found to be non-genuine, or not valid, it’s likely that the product key is either being used on another computer or is counterfeit. For more information about genuine Windows, go to the genuine Windows website.
     
    6. Windows 7 is now activated and genuine with the new product key number. (See screenshot below)
    OPTION TWO
    Change Product Key Number in Command Prompt
    1. Open a elevated command prompt.
    2. In the elevated command prompt, type in the command below and press enter.
    NOTE:
    Substitute XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX in ths command below with your actual product key number instead.
    slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
    3. In the elevated command prompt, type in the command below to activate your Windows 7 with this new product key number and press enter.
    slmgr.vbs -ato
    4. Close the elevated command prompt.
    This process may or may not work on Windows Xp.

  • How to Create a Task that will shut down the PC Automatically

    INFORMATION
    This article will show a very easy way to create a task in the Task Scheduler that will shut down the PC whenever you like. 
    This will work for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but not on Windows XP.

    SOLUTION
    1) In the Windows start menu search box type “Task Scheduler” (without the quotes) right click the entry and select “Run as Administrator” then enter your user credentials for the UAC prompt and click “Yes” to open the Task Scheduler.
    2) In the Task Scheduler window that opens, in the “Actions” menu in the right pane click “Create Task”.
    3) In the Create Task window under the General tab, set a name and description for the task then dot “Run whether user is logged on or not” then put a check/tick at “Run with highest privileges”, be sure to set the “Configure for:” for your flavor of Windows, then continue on to #4 below.
    4) Now at the Actions tab at the lower left click “New”, in the “New Action” dialog box leave “Action” set at “Start a program” at “Program/script:” type shutdown.exe then at “Add arguments” type /s /f (take note of the space between the /s and /f) then click OK.
    5) Now at the Triggers tab at the lower left click “New” in the “New Trigger” dialog box set the parameters that you want for the task, as everyone’s needs will be different, I just highlighted a few of the ones that need to be set to give some ideas.
     
    6) After you have the Triggers set click “OK”, you will then be prompted to enter your user credentials one last time and then click “OK” to finish creating the task. That’s it the task has been created, at “File” click “Exit” to close the Task Scheduler.

    NOTE
    Be sure to have a look at the “Conditions” tab if you need to add any parameters that must be met before the task is able to run.
    Should the PC be in use at the scheduled shutdown time you will get a dialog box stating that you are about to be logged off.
    This will work for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but not on Windows XP.

  • How to Restore the Default Windows 7 Gadgets

    Information
    This article will show you how to restore the desktop gadgets that come pre-installed with Windows 7.
    EXAMPLE:
    Gadgets
    Note:
    Some gadgets are already uninstalled.
    Here’s how:
    1. Open the Control Panel (in Category View), then click on Appearance & Personalization. (See screen shot below)
    2. Click the ‘Restore desktop gadgets installed with Windows’ button as highlighted in the second image. (See screen shot below)
    3. This will bring up the Desktop Gadgets window with a message stating ‘All Windows and administrator installed gadgets have been restored’ (See screen shot below)
    4. When finished, just close down the Desktop Gadgets and Control Panel windows.


    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swjg_5F0kGg&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  • How to Import Windows Calendar from Vista into Windows 7

    Information
    This article will show you how to import Windows Calendar from Vista into Windows 7, and to enable using Windows Calendar from the toolbar button in Windows Mail in Windows 7 if you also imported it.
    There is no Windows Calendar feature included in Windows 7 by default.
    Warning
    If running 64bit Windows 7 it is essential to import Windows Calendar from a 64bit Vista installation into the normal 64bit program files. And the same for 32 to 32bit.
    Step 1
    ·         In Vista open: Program Files –> Windows Calendar.

    ·         Copy the entire Windows Calendar folder.

    ·         Paste this folder into Program files in Windows 7.

    ·         Still in program files, open the pasted Windows Calendar folder –> Right click: WinCal –> Send to desktop as shortcut.

    ·         If desired create a Windows Calendar shortcut in Start menu programs as follows:

    ·         Choose View options to show hidden folders.

    ·         Open: Computer –> C: Drive –> Program Data –> Microsoft –> Windows –> Start Menu –> Programs.

    ·         Paste copy of WinCal shortcut into Start Menu Programs & re-name to: Windows Calendar.
    Step 2
    ·         In Vista open: Control Panel –> Administrative Tools –> Task Scheduler.

    ·         In left window pane expand tree for: Task Scheduler Library –> Microsoft –> Windows.

    ·         Scroll down Windows tree to: WindowsCalendar –> Click to highlight –> In right window pane click: Export.

    ·         It opens a file named “Reminders – ‘Your User name’.XML”

    ·         Save this file to desk top or storage folder.
    Step 3
    ·         Open saved “Reminders.XML” file with Notepad, but do not set Notepad as default opener.

    ·         Wherever your user name and computer name appear, it must be changed to exactly match your user name and computer name in Windows 7. To find Computer name, right click: Computer –> Properties.

    ·         See following pic to find where changes need to be made. Note: This image shows “Reminder file” opened in normal view, but it must be opened with Notepad to make changes. Click image to enlarge.



    ·         For example, “Paraclete/Bernard” becomes “Lizzi’s Computer/Lizzi”.

    ·         Once changes are made click: Save. Changes will be saved as XML file.
    Step 4
    ·         In Windows 7 open: Control Panel –> Administrative Tools –> Task Scheduler.

    ·         In left window pane expand tree for: Task Scheduler Library –> Microsoft –> Windows.

    ·         Click: Windows to highlight –> Right click again & select: New Folder.

    ·         Name new folder exactly as follows: WindowsCalendar with no spaces.

    ·         Click: OK. The new WindowsCalendar folder is added to the Windows tree in the left pane.
    Step 5
    ·         Click new folder: “WindowsCalendar” in the Windows tree to highlight –> Right click again to open menu.

    ·         Select: Import Task –> Browse to where you have saved the “Reminders – .XML” file.

    ·         Click: “Reminders – .XML” file to import it. If a message appears saying: “The format of the task is not valid” it means you have not changed the computer and user names correctly.

    ·         In bottom of new window that appears, open: Drop down menu –> Select: Windows 7 –> Click: OK.
    Step 6
    Open and run the regedit file WinCalEdit.zip attached here WinCalEdit.zip. This enables Windows Calendar to open in the desktop WinMail.exe interface.

  • 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.