Category: pc support

Customize Windows Explorer Toolbar Buttons

How to Customize Windows Explorer Toolbar Buttons in Windows 7

Information

This article will show you how to customize the toolbar (command bar) in Windows Explorer to add, remove, or rearrange toolbar buttons of your choice for all users.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.

EXAMPLE:

Windows Explorer Toolbar

Add, Remove, or Rearrange Toolbar Buttons in Windows Explorer

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press enter.

2. If prompted byUAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the Windows Explorer location below for the toolbar that you would like to add or remove buttons from.

General Items Folder Template (see also step 4)

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{5c4f28b5-f869-4e84-8e60-f11db97c5cc7}

Videos Folder Template

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{5fa96407-7e77-483c-ac93-691d05850de8}

Documents Folder Template (see also step 4)

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{7d49d726-3c21-4f05-99aa-fdc2c9474656}

Music Folder Template

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{94d6ddcc-4a68-4175-a374-bd584a510b78}

Pictures Folder Template (see also step 4)

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{b3690e58-e961-423b-b687-386ebfd83239}

General (Generic) Library Folder

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{da3f6866-35fe-4229-821a-26553a67fc18}

Main Library Folder

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{b3690e58-e961-423b-b687-386ebfd83239}

Videos Library Folder

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{631958a6-ad0f-4035-a745-28ac066dc6ed}

Documents Library Folder

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{fbb3477e-c9e4-4b3b-a2ba-d3f5d3cd46f9}

Music Library Folder

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{3f2a72a7-99fa-4ddb-a5a8-c604edf61d6b}

Pictures Library Folder

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{0b2baaeb-0042-4dca-aa4d-3ee8648d03e5}

4. If the name of the Windows Explorer location you selected above is in RED (General Items, Documents, and Pictures folder templates), then:

NOTE:

If not in red, then skip this step and go to step 5 or 6.

In the left pane under FolderTypes, right click on the {long number} key below and click on Permissions. Take ownership (step 3 in Option Two of Method TWO at this link) of this key with your administrator account, and set permissions to Allow your administrator account Full Control of the key. (see screenshots below)

Continue on to step 5 or 6 below.

5. To Add or Remove Buttons to be Displayed when a Item is Selected

NOTE:

When you select an item (ex: file or folder), the buttons displayed on the Windows Explorer toolbar locations below are defined in the TasksItemsSelected registry key.

A) In the left pane, click on the TasksItemSelected key under the exanded {long number} key above. (see screenshot below)

NOTE:

If there is not a TasksItemSelected key, then right click on the {long number} key, click on New and Key, type TasksItemSelected and press enter.

B) Go to step 7.

6. To Add or Remove Buttons to be Displayed when No Items are Selected

NOTE:

When you open a folder without anything selected, the buttons displayed on the Windows Explorer toolbar locations below are defined in the TasksNoItemsSelected registry key.

A) In the left pane, click on the TasksNoItemSelected key under the exanded {long number} location above. (see screenshot below)

NOTE:

If there is not a TasksNoItemSelected key, then right click on the {long number} key, click on New and Key, type TasksNoItemSelected and press enter.

7. In the right pane of TasksItemSelected or TasksNoItemSelected, right click on (Default) and click on Modify. (see screenshots below steps 5A and 6A)

8. To Add a Toolbar Button

A) Type in the Value data (see table below) for the button that you want to add in the order you want it to be displayed within the other listed buttons. (see screenshot below step 11.

NOTE:

Be sure to leave only one semicolon (;) inbetween each Value data entry to separate them.

FOR EXAMPLE:

If I wanted to add the Cut and Paste buttons to the Pictures Library tool bar after the default Burn button, I would add Windows.Cut and Windows.Paste in the Edit String (modify) window like this below.

Code:

Windows.slideshow;Windows.burn;Windows.Cut;Windows.Paste;Windows.CscWorkOfflineOnline

Toolbar Button	Value Data	Description
Burn	Windows.burn	It allows you to burn the folder or the file selected
Close	Windows.closewindow	It allows you to close the active window
Copy	Windows.Copy	It allows you to copy the item selected in the clipboard
Cut	Windows.Cut	It allows you to move the item selected into the clipboard
Delete	Windows.Delete	It allows you to delete the item selected
Details pane	Windows.previewpane	It allows you to toggle the Details pane on or off
(Details view)	Windows.topviewrestoredefault	It allows you display the details view
E-mail	Windows.email	It allows you to send by email the item selected
Folder and search options	Windows.folderoptions	Opens Folder Options
Include in library	Windows.includeinlibrary	It allows you to include in any library the folder selected
Layout	Windows.layout	It allows you to turn on or off the navigation pane, the detail pane, the reading pane or the library pane
Library pane	Windows.librarypane	It allows you to turn on or off the library pane
Manage Default Printers	Windows.ManageDefaultPrinters	It allows you to manage the printer installed by default
Menu bar	Windows.menubar	It allows you to turn the menu bar on or off
Navigation pane	Windows.navpane	It allows you to turn the navigation pane on or off
New folder	Windows.newfolder	It allows you to create a new folder in the folder you have open or selected
Organize	Windows.organize	It allows you to turn on or off the options for the organization of items
Paste	Windows.Paste	It allows you to paste the content of the clipboard
Play all	Windows.playmusic	It allows you to play all the music files in a opened folder
Properties	Windows.properties	It allows you to display or hide all the properties of the item selected
Preview pane	Windows.readingpane	It allows you to turn the Preview pane on or off
Print	Windows.print	It allows you to print the document selected
Print server properties	Windows.OpenPrinterServerProperty	It allows you to display or hide the properties of your printer
	Windows.OpenSearchViewSite
Redo	Windows.redo	It allows you to cancel the last modification made
Rename	Windows.rename	It allows you to rename the item selected
Remove Properties	Windows.removeproperties	It allows you to delete all the properties you want about the item selected
See what’s printing	Windows.OpenPrintQueue	It allows you to display or hide all the files you’re printing
Select all	Windows.selectall	It allows you to select all of the items in the opened folder
Separator	Windows.separator	It allows you to create an empty space between the tasks
Share with	Windows.Share	It allows you to share the item selected in private or with your homegroup
Share with	Windows.ShareHomegroupFullAcces	It allows you to share the item selected in private or with your homegroup
Share with	Windows.ShareHomegroupReadAccess	It allows you to share the item selected in private or with your homegroup
Share with	Windows.SharePrivate	It allows you to share the item selected in private or with your homegroup
Share with	Windows.ShareSpecificUsers	It allows you to share the item selected in private or with your homegroup
Slide show	Windows.slideshow	It allows you to see any images through a slideshow
Start scan	Windows.StartScan	It allows you to execute a quick scan of the selected item
Sync	Windows.CscSync	It allows you to synchronize your folders or files with your device
Undo	Windows.undo	It allows you to cancel the last modification made, or restore the folder or file deleted from the Recycle Bin
	Windows.CscWorkOfflineOnline	??
	Windows.UpdatePrinterDriver	It allows you to update your printer’s drivers

9. To Remove a Toolbar Button

A) Remove the Value data (see table below step 8A) for the button that you want to remove. (see screenshot below step 11)

NOTE:

Be sure to leave only one semicolon (;) inbetween each remaining Value data entry to separate them.

FOR EXAMPLE:

If I wanted to remove the Cut and Paste buttons added to the Pictures Library tool bar from step 8, I would edit out Windows.Cut and Windows.Paste in the Edit String (modify) window like this below.

BEFORE

Code:

Windows.slideshow;Windows.burn;Windows.Cut;Windows.Paste;Windows.CscWorkOfflineOnline

AFTER

Code:

Windows.slideshow;Windows.burn;Windows.CscWorkOfflineOnline

10. To Rearrange Display Order of the Toolbar Buttons

A) Arrange the Value data (see table below step 8A) listed in the Edit String (modify) window in the order of how you would like them displayed on the toolbar. (see screenshot below step 11)

NOTE:

Be sure to leave only one semicolon (;) inbetween each Value data entry to separate them.

FOR EXAMPLE:

If I wanted to rearange the Cut and Paste buttons added to the Pictures Library tool bar from step 8, I would edit the Windows.Cut and Windows.Paste value data in the Edit String (modify) window like this below.

BEFORE

Code:

Windows.slideshow;Windows.burn;Windows.Cut;Windows.Paste;Windows.CscWorkOfflineOnline

AFTER

Code:

Windows.slideshow;Windows.burn;Windows.Paste;Windows.Cut;Windows.CscWorkOfflineOnline

11. When finished adding, removing, or rearranging the button’s Value data (ex: Windows.burn) in the Edit String box, click on OK. (see screenshot below)

12. Repeat the steps above if you would like to add, remove, or rearrage toolbar buttons for any other Windows Explorer location in step 3.

13. When finished, close regedit.

14. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer to see the changes applied at the location you selected in step 3 (not the registry location).

March 15, 2012

Starting WLAN AutoConfig Service – Windows 7 Tips

INFORMATION:

WLAN AutoConfig service is built-in tool in Windows 7 that can be used to detect and connect to wireless network, of course you need to have wireless adapter installed on computer. This built-in wireless network connection tool is the same as what you use in Windows Vista, and is similar to wireless zero configuration tool in Windows XP.

If you do not activate this service, you need to use the other wireless utility which is provided by wireless adapter manufacturer in order to connect to wireless network. Personally I prefer to use this built-in wireless network connection tool as I don’t have to learn about different wireless utilities for different wireless adapters.

1) Go to Start and right click Computer. Select and click Manage.

2. Computer Management window will appear. Under Services and Applications, click on Services.

Note: This is the other way to get to this Services window: Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services

3. Scroll down and select WLAN AutoConfig. Check whether it is started

4. Double-click the service and its properties window will appear. If the startup type is not set to automatic, click on the dropdown arrow and change it to Automatic and click Start to start the service if it’s not started. Click OK at last.

Note: If you don’t start this service, there is no Manage wireless networks option available for you to detect or manage wireless network in Network and Sharing Center window unless you use other wireless utility.

Computer with this built-in wireless network connection service started:

Computer without this built-in wireless network connection service started:

July 1, 2011
Dial Up connection – Windows 7 Tips

Dial Up Internet Connection Setup in Windows 7

Although dial up Internet connection is not popular anymore due to slow speed (up to 56Kbps only) if you compare to cable, DSL or wireless Internet connection, but it’s still used in those rural areas that do not have much faster Internet connection. In some cases, it’s also used as back up connection if the primary Internet connection fails.

Before we start, make sure your computer has been connected to dial up modem, and also that dial up modem is connected to working phone socket too.

If you use laptop, most likely it’s built-in with dial up modem, so in this case you can set up dial up connection anytime without additional dial up modem hardware.

Let’s start to create dial up connection:

1) Go to Start and click on Control Panel.

2) Proceed to click on View network status and tasks to open Network and Sharing Center.

Note: If you click on network connection icon on desktop, you can also access to Network and Sharing Center from there.

3) Proceed to click Set up a new connection or network in Network and Sharing Center window.

4) As you want to set up dial up connection, then click on Set up a dial-up connection. Click Next.

5) Ok, here you need to key in the technical details which are provided by ISP when you subscribed to this dial up service. You are required to key in Dial-up phone number, User name and password. Of course you should name your connection too. When you are ready, click Connect to establish the connection.

Note: If you plan to share this connection with other computer later, click on Allow other people to use this connection. In order to make it works, your computer must be connected with other computer wired or wireless by using wired network adapter or wireless adapter, and also the other computer should be configured to obtain IP address and other network settings automatically.

6) It will then dial up the connection. If you are not ready, click on Skip to skip the dialing but create a connection first.

7) I just skipped the dial up Internet connecting process, and then it tells me that the connection is ready for use.

Note: In future, you can dial up this connection by clicking on network connection icon and the connection will be shown in Dial-up and VPN section. If you would like to change the settings, right click that connection and click on Properties to do more configuration.

June 15, 2011
Windows 7 Tips – Recover Home Group Password

Quick Way to View Home group Password in Windows 7

You might have forgotten your home group password if you created it some time ago. if this is the case, we might be able to help you with this.

1) As usual, go to Start and click on Control Panel.

2) Proceed to click Choose home group and sharing options in Control Panel window.

Note: You can also locate this same option in Network and Sharing Center window.

3) Change homegroup settings window will appear, go ahead to click View or print the homegroup password.

4) Your homegroup password will then be shown, so you just need to write it down and share with other users, so that they could join the homegroup later. If you want, you can even click Print this page button to print the password.

June 13, 2011
Windows 7 Tips- Create System Image

How to Create a System Image in Windows 7

Most of us who like experimenting with newer softwares or tips and tricks more often then not end up screwing up our system and going through the whole process of installing OS and applications etc. But wait there is an easy way out, we could create an optimal system image and keep it handy for times like this so we can get back to the best possible config even after our experiments go wrong.

Creating an Image in Windows 7

Click on Start go to Getting Started and then select Back up your files.

Next click on the Create a system image hyperlink.

Decide where you want to save the image. You can choose an external drive, burn to multiple DVD’s, or store it on a network location.

You can include other drives if you want as well but remember that will add to the size of the final image.

At the confirmation screen notice the amount of space the image may take. If something doesn’t look right you can still go back from this point and make adjustments.

A progress meter is displayed while the images is created and backed up. In this example a disk of about 15GB in size took under 20 minutes backed up to an external drive. Times will vary depending on your system and where you’re backing it up to.

After the process is complete you get the option to create a system repair disc which you should do and make sure to save it in a secure location.

When it comes time to restore the image, you will be able to use the System Recovery Options to get the system back.

June 8, 2011
Backup and Restore – Windows 7 Tips

How To Use Backup and Restore in Windows 7

The backup utilities in previous versions of Windows have been less than spectacular resulting in a nice market for third party applications. Today we take a look at the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 7 that may be their best backup tool yet.

Set the Backup

To set up a backup in Windows 7 open up Computer right-click on your local drive and select Properties. Then click on the Tools tab and click the Back up now button.

In the Back up or restore your files window click the link to set up a backup.

Windows will search for a suitable drive to store the backup or you can also choose a location on your network. If you backup to a network location you might need the password to the share.

You can have Windows choose what to backup or you can choose the files and directories. Because I like more user control for this tutorial I am choosing what to backup but it’s completely up to you.

Note: If you let Windows choose it will not backup Program Files, anything formatted with the FAT file system, files in the Recycle Bin, or any temp files that are 1GB or more.

Select the files and folder to include in the backup. Also notice you can select the option to create an image of your local drive.

Now review the backup job and make sure everything looks correct.

Here you can also schedule the days and times the backup occurs.

Save the backup settings and kick off your first backup and while it runs you can monitor the progress.

Click the View Details button to see exactly what is being backup during the process.

When the backup is complete you will see the two backup files and image folder if you created one.

Double click on the backup file and can restore files or manage the size of the backups folder.

Restore Files from Backup

If you need to go back and restore a file from a backup click on Restore my files in the Backup and Restore Center.

Now you can browse or search the most recent backup for a file or folder your missing.

Next you can restore them back to the original location or choose a different spot then click Restore.

Progress of the restoration will vary depending on the size of the data and location it’s restoring from.

June 8, 2011
Windows 7 Tips

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List of Anti-Virus Software Compatible with Windows 7

Our Recommendation

If you want something that’s going to work really well, and is totally free, you should check out the free Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus solution, which isn’t going to slow down your PC.

Windows AntiVirus Detection

When you first install Windows 7, you’ll get a popup balloon message telling you that you need to find an antivirus program online… notice the wrench on the balloons that will let you turn them off easily.

Once you’ve installed a compatible package, the message will go away and you’ll see a message in the Action Center telling you that “Virus protection” is On:

The packages should also hook into the Windows 7 update mechanism and let you know when your virus definitions are out of date.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

AVG Free is the most popular anti-virus software out there, and not only does it work just perfectly under Windows 7, but it’s on the list of a small number of software packages that are officially compatible per Microsoft.

You’ll notice that it also offers Anti-Spyware protection, and Windows recommends that you only run a single Anti-Spyware application:

Avira AntiVirus Personal Edition

Avira is a popular freeware antivirus solution that seems to be a hit on our forum, with a number of the regulars in favor of it. This software works without any issues.

Norton AntiVirus

Hardly needing an introduction, Norton AntiVirus works just fine. They are also on Microsoft’s list of compatible software for Windows 7.

You’ll notice that this provides anti-spyware protection, so you’d likely want to disable Windows Defender for performance reasons.

Kapersky Anti-Virus

This antivirus software package is also on the Microsoft official list of Windows 7 compatible software.

June 2, 2011
Windows 7 Tips
Move the Show Desktop Icon to Taskbar in Windows 7

Pin Show Desktop Icon to the Taskbar

You might not care to get the Quick Launch icon back in Windows 7, but would like to pin the icon to the Taskbar where you want it. Unfortunately the process isn’t as easy as a simple drag and drop.
- Right-click the Desktop and select Text Document.
- Now name it Show Desktop.exe and click Yes when the warning message comes up.
Note: You will need to have file extensions viewable in order for this to work.
- Right-click on the dummy exe file we just made and select Pin to Taskbar.
- Now create your own Show Desktop icon by typing or pasting the following code into Notepad.
    [Shell]

    Command=2

    IconFile=explorer.exe,3

    [Taskbar]

    Command=ToggleDesktop

When you save it, make sure to select All Files in Notepad.
- Then save it as Show Desktop.scf and place it in the following folder.
C:\Users\computername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

Note: If you don’t see the folders like AppData make sure you have Show hidden files, folders, and drives selected in Folder Options.
- Next right-click on the Show Desktop.exe icon we pinned to the Taskbar, then right-click Show Desktop and select Properties.
- Enter the following into the Target field under the Shortcut tab.
C:\Users\computername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Show Desktop.scf

Note: In the path change “computername” to the actual name of your computer for both steps.
May 3, 2011
Windows 7 Tips

Move the Show Desktop Icon to Quick Launch in Windows 7

If you aren’t a fan of scrolling your pointer over to the lower right corner of your monitor to Show the Desktop, we have a cool tweak that will let you create a Show Desktop icon in the Quick Launch.

If you want to easily get access to the Desktop in Windows 7 you’ve undoubtedly noticed they moved it to the lower right corner. This can be annoying if you have a dual monitors, or even a large monitor that is 22” or higher.

There are a few ways you can go about it and we’ll take a look at them and you can choose which method works best for you.

First let’s look at how to put it back where it used to be in earlier versions of Windows. One of the easiest ways is to Add the Quick Launch Bar to the Windows 7 Taskbar.

After restoring the Quick Launch Bar, you should see the Show Desktop icon. Then just move the icon to where you want it in the Quick Launch bar. For example, here we moved it along with the Switch Between Windows icon next to the IE icon.

May 3, 2011

CityVille Beginner’s Guide

CityVille Tips & Tricks: Building Houses

There are tips on how to make the most of your building construction at City Ville. To start with,

Among the first building types that you may encounter when learning to play CityVille is communal housing. This is important to provide protection to your people, and the type of residential housing that you choose will affect your population and fame ratings. Many more types will become available while you look towards CityVille mastery, empowering you to expand your empire and create a wider and wealthier population. The better and more expansive a house is, the higher the rent repayments and chance to earn more CityVille coins.

Here are some things to think about:

1. When building, click on them to be completed. If you won’t, you wouldn’t be able to finish your building, at the same time;

2. Houses should be aligned, so as to enable you to build roads.

3. Population must also increase that is why you should increase building houses as well.

You must build houses in order to increase the population of your city effectively. Every CityVille house will support a specific number of citizens and generates income. In order to build your income quickly, choose the houses that you build according to the time that you expect to be playing the game.

BUILDING	POPULATION	COST	GRID SIZE	HARVEST TIME (minutes)	BASE COIN
Apartment Complex	90	4500	16	1440	200
Atrium Lofts	170	750000	25	1440	170
Colonial Chalet	120	10000	9	480	158
Country Home	30	600	16	5	10
Cozy Cottage	10	200	9	60	50
Family Townhouse	20	400	9	240	100
Glass Condos	160	600000	16	480	165
Hotel Suites	130	12500	18	2940	231
Lake House	90	495	16	120	200
Loft Apartments	50	1000	16	2940	220
Luxury Apartments	200	0	9	1440	105
Modern Chateau	60	1500	16	1440	200
Newlywed House	100	0	9	5	12
Ranch House	100	6000	16	1080	189
Skyscraper Condos	150	500000	16	240	105
Sprawling Mansions	140	15000	18	1080	195
Stylish Contemporary	80	3500	9	4380	240
Suburban House	40	800	16	1080	180
Terraced Brownstone	70	2500	9	480	150
Upscale Condo	110	8000	16	60	52

May 3, 2011