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Category: tech support

  • DISPLAY FREQUENTLY USED PROGRAMS IN THE NOTIFICATION AREA

    HOW TO DISPLAY FREQUENTLY USED PROGRAMS IN THE NOTIFICATION AREA

    All of us know, In Windows 7 accessing programs is much easy and you can find them right in the start menu. But it is always good to find something much easier

    In accessing frequently used and favorite programs like VLC Media Player or Internet Explorer, the notification area can be used as a one click point to open those programs
    This articles does not apply to Windows XP or any other version of Windows
    Here’s how:
    Open the application that you would like to have an icon in the notification area
    Click on the Up Arrow in the right bottom corner of the screen. You would see the icon of the application or the external hardware connected to the computer
    Just drag and drop the icon into the task bar
    Kudos!! You have just set your favorite application on the notification area
    To remove the any icon from the notification area, click on the Up arrow and click on “Customize”
    In the Window that opens, choose what you would like to do with the icon of each application like hide icon and notifications etc.

  • Change the Time to Change Password

    How to Change the Time to Warn a User to Change Password Before Expiration
    Information
    If you have password expiration enabled, then this will show you how to change how far in advance (in days) users are warned that their password is about to expire.

    Warning
    You can only do this while logged in as an administrator.
    OPTION ONE
    Through Local Security Policy Manager
    NOTE:
    This option is only available for the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.
    1. If you have not already, you must enable password expiration for each user account that you want to have their password expire for that user to be able to get a warning that their password will expire before the maximum password age has been reached.
    2. Open the Local Security Policy editor.
    3. In the left pane, expand Local Policies, and click on Security Options. (see screenshot below)
    4. In the right pane, double click on Interactive logon: Prompt user to change password before expiration. (see screenshot above)
    5. Type in how many days you want Windows 7 to begin prompting users to change their password before it expires, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    6. Close the Local Security Policy editor.
    OPTION TWO
    Through Registry Editor
    NOTE:
    This option is available for all Windows 7 editions.
    1. If you have not already, you must enable password expiration for each user account that you want to have their password expire for that user to be able to get a warning that their password will expire before the maximum password age has been reached.
    2. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press enter.
    3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
    4. In regedit, navigate to the location below: (see screenshot below)
    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    5. In the right pane of Winlogon, double click on PasswordExpiryWarning. (see screenshot above)
    6. Select (dot) Decimal, then type in how many days you want Windows 7 to begin prompting users to change their password before it expires and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    7. Close regedit.
    8. Restart the computer to fully apply.

  • Convert a Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk

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

  • Run program in Administrator Mode

             Many utilities need to be run as administrator in order to function properly, especially older utilities that haven’t been updated to support Windows 7.All shortcuts in Windows since Vista have a special property that you can set that will allow the application to run as Administrator. This works perfectly for creating a batch file to restart a service, for instance.


    To set this property, just right-click on any shortcut, and click the Advanced button on the Shortcut page to get to the Advanced Properties dialog.



    You’ll see a dialog with a checkbox for “Run as administrator”.



    From now on, the application will always run as administrator if you use the shortcut to launch it. (You’ll be prompted by UAC if you have it enabled in Windows 7).

  • Install Themes From Windows 7


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

    Note:
    This article does not apply to Windows XP or Windows Vista
    Here’s how to download and set a new theme:
    Open your internet browser and Visit Windows Personalization Gallery at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows/downloads/personalize/themes
    Choose from different categories of themes like Animals, Automotive, and Nature etc.
    Just click on the theme you want to set and click on open.

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

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

  • Add or Remove Windows 7 Index Locations

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

  • Display Color Calibration in Windows 7


    Information
    Calibrating your display helps to ensure that colors are represented accurately on your monitor. This will show you how to use Display Color Calibration to calibrate your display in Windows 7.

    Note
    Display Color Calibration improves your display color by enabling you to change different color settings. After you adjust the different color settings using Display Color Calibration, you will have a new calibration that contains your new color settings. The new calibration will be associated with your screen display and used by color-managed programs.
    The color settings that you can change, as well as how you change those color settings, depend on your monitor’s display and its capabilities. Not all monitors have the same color capabilities and settings, so you might not be able to change all the different color settings when using Display Color Calibration.
    Tip
    If you have a display calibration device that came with other software, consider using the color measurement device with the accompanying software instead of Display Color Calibration. Using the calibration device with the accompanying calibration software that often comes with it can help you get the best color on your display.
    In general, using a color measurement instrument to calibrate your display will result in a better calibration compared to the results of doing a visual calibration (which is done in Display Color Calibration).
    Warning
    Before starting Display Color Calibration, make sure that your display is set to its native screen resolution. This helps to improve the accuracy of the resulting calibration.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start menu.
    A) In the search line, type dccw and press enter.  
    NOTE:
    This file is located at C:\Windows\System32\dccw.exe.
    B) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).
    A) Click on the Color Management icon.
    B) Click on the advanced tab, and on the Calibrate display button.  
    3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
    4. Move the window to display on the display monitor that you want to calibrate, and then click on Next.  
    5. Set the display that you want to calibrate to its default basic color settings, and then click on Next.  
    6. Read the how to adjust gamma instructions, then click on Next when ready.  
    7. Adjust your gamma settings, then click on Next.  
    8. If you want to adjust the brightness and contrast settings for the display, then click on Next and continue on to step 9. If not, then click on the Skip brightness and contrast adjustment button, then go to step 13.  
    9. Read the how to adjust brightness instructions, then click on Next when ready.  
    10. Adjust your brightness settings, then click on Next.  
    11. Read the how to adjust the contrast instructions, then click on Next when ready.  
    12. Adjust your contrast settings, then click on Next.  
    13. Read the how to adjust color balance instructions, then click on Next when ready.  
    14. Adjust your color balance settings, then click on Next.  
    15. The display is now calibrated. You can compare this new Current calibration with the Previous calibration.
    16. If you wish to start ClearType Tuner to help make the text on your screen sharp and clear after you click on Finish below, then leave the box checked. Uncheck the box if you do not want to have ClearType Tuner open.
    17. Click on Finish to save and use this new Current calibration, or click on Cancel to cancel these changes and use the previous calibration.  

  • How to do Disk clean up in Windows 7


            If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your hard disk to free up disk space and help your computer run faster, use Disk Cleanup. It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need


    Click on Start –> All Programs –> Accessories –> System Tools. Then click on Disk Cleanup. Alternatively you can open Start Menu and search for Disk Cleanup.



    Once open, select the drive you want to clean up. Mostly this will be the drive where you have Windows installed. Select C:\ drive.




    Let Disk Cleanup determine which files can be cleaned up.




    You will then see a dialog with the files that can be cleaned without any harm to the system. Select the files that you do not need and click OK.





    If you have admin access, you might want to clean up system files as well. Click on System Files in the above dialog. You will then see a More Options tab which you can use to remove old system restore points and shadow copies.


    These is applicable for Windows XP and Windows 7 

  • HOW TO GET UPDATES FOR ALL MICROSOFT PROGRAMS AND DRIVERS ALONG WITH WINDOWS UPDATES

    Windows Update is a service provided by Microsoft that provides updates for the Microsoft Windows operating system and its installed components, including Internet Explorer.
    Along with the version of Windows that you are using and the internet explorer, you can also receive updates for other Microsoft products installed on the computer through Windows updates.
    For instance, if you are using Microsoft Office or Microsoft Money software, you can get updates for those software using Windows Updates.
    Here’s how:
    Open Windows Update from the “Start Search” option
    In the Windows Update screen that appears, look for the option “Find Out More”
    Internet Explorer would open up with a title “Install updates, Office and More”
    Agree to the Terms and Conditions by making a check mark and then clicking on “Install”
    The next time, you use Windows Update; you would get the updates for all the Microsoft programs installed on the computer.

  • How to Add or Remove the Security Tab in Windows Media Player Options



    Information
    This article will show you how to add or remove the Security tab in the Options of Windows Media Player for all users in Windows 7 and Vista but will not work on Windows XP.

    Warning:
    You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
    Note:
    If removed, any settings made in the Security tab prior to being removed will still be used.
    Even if removed, users can still change security and zone settings by using Internet Explorer security zone settings unless these settings have been hidden or disabled by Internet Explorer policies as well.
    EXAMPLE:
    Security Tab in Windows Media Player Options
    NOTE:
    You would click on Tools (menu bar) and Options in Windows Media Player to see this.

    Through the Local Group Policy Editor
    1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
    2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Media Player, and User Interface. (see screenshot below)
    3. In the right pane, right click on Hide Security Tab and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)
    4. To Add “Security” Tab in Windows Media Player Options
    A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    NOTE:
    Not Configured is the default setting.
    B) Go to step 6.
    5. To Remove “Security” Tab in Windows Media Player Options
    A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
    8. If open, close and reopen Windows Media Player options to see the changes.
    This article will work on Windows 7 and Vista but will not work on Windows XP.