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Category: Tips and Tricks

  • Restoring files from previous versions

    Restoring files from previous versions
    You can restore deleted files and folders or restore a file or folder to a previous state.

    To restore a deleted file or folder
    Open Computer by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Computer.
    Navigate to the folder that used to contain the file or folder, right-click it, and then click Restore previous versions. If the folder was at the top level of a drive, for example C:\, right-click the drive, and then click Restore previous versions.
    You’ll see a list of available previous versions of the file or folder. The list will include files saved on a backup (if you are using Windows Backup to back up your files) as well as restore points, if both types are available.
    Note
    To restore a previous version of a file or folder that’s included in a library, right-click the file or folder in the location where it’s saved, rather than in the library.
    For example, to restore a previous version of a picture that’s included in the Pictures library but is stored in the My Pictures folder, right-click the My Pictures folder, and then click Restore previous versions.
    Double-click a previous version of the folder that contains the file or folder you want to restore. (For example, if a file was deleted today, choose a version of the folder from yesterday, which should contain the file.)
    Drag the file or folder that you want to restore to another location, such as your desktop or another folder.
    The version of the file or folder is saved to the location that you selected.
    Tip
    If you don’t remember the exact file or folder name or its location, you can search for it by typing part of the name in the search box in the Documents library.
    To restore a file or folder to a previous state
    1.   Right-click the file or folder, and then click Restore previous versions.
    You’ll see a list of available previous versions of the file or folder. The list will include files saved on a backup (if you’re using Windows Backup to back up your files) as well as restore points, if both types are available.
    2.   Before restoring a previous version of a file or folder, select the previous version, and then click Open to view it to make sure it’s the version you want.
    Note
    You can’t open or copy previous versions of files that were created by Windows Backup, but you can restore them.
    3.   To restore a previous version, select the previous version, and then click Restore.
       
    Warning
    The file or folder replaces the current version on your computer, and the replacement can’t be undone.
       
    Note
    If the Restore button is unavailable, you can’t restore a previous version of the file or folder to its original location. You might be able to open it or save it to a different location.

  • Create an Elevated Program Shortcut

    How to Create an Elevated Program Shortcut without a UAC Prompt
    Information
    This will show you how to create a elevated “Run as administrator” shortcut of any installed program in Windows using Task Scheduler so that it will not give you a UAC prompt for permission when you start it while still having UAC turned on.
    In the tutorial, you will first create a new task, then a new shortcut to run the task. Afterwards, how to change the icon of the shortcut.
    Note
    Special thanks to OEM for pointing this out, and the previous Vista version by DMEX.
    You can run at startup as a task, Pin to Start Menu, Pin to Taskbar this shortcut, or move to where you like for easy use.
    Warning
    This shortcut and task can only be created and work while logged in as an administrator account. This shortcut will not work in a standard user account.
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start Menu, then type taskschd.msc in the search line and press enter.
    NOTE:  
    This will open Task Scheduler. This file is located at:
    C:\Windows\system32\taskschd.msc.
    2. While having Task Scheduler Library selected in the left pane, click on Create task in the far right pane. (see screenshot below)
    3. Under the General tab, type in the “Name” of the program you want to create this shortcut for. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: 
    This will be the name of the task. As an example, I will use CCleaner for that program. Make note of this name, you will need it later in step 12 below.
    4. Check the Run with highest privileges box. (See screenshot below)
    5. Click on the Configure for drop down box to open it, and select Windows® 7, Windows Server™ 2008 R2. (see screenshot above and below)
    NOTE:
    This is like compatibility mode. If the program does not support running in Windows 7 normally, then you can select the OS that is does support running in instead to have it run in compatibility mode as if it was running in that OS instead of Windows 7.
    6. Click on the Actions tab, then on the new button. (See screenshot below)
    7. Under “Action”, select Start a program and click on the Browse button. (See screenshot below)
    8. Navigate to the .exe file of the program that you want to create this shortcut for, then select it and click on Open. (See screenshot below)
    9. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    10. Click on the Conditions tab, and un check the Stop if the computer switches to battery power box first, then un check the Start the task only if the computer is on AC power box. (See screenshots below)
    NOTE:
    This step is mostly for laptops, so that you will be able to run the program when the laptop is running on battery power.
    11. Click on OK. (See screenshots above)
    12. You will now see your new task created with the name (ex: CCleaner) you gave it in step 3. Close Task Scheduler. (See screenshot below)
    13. Right click on a empty area of the desktop, then click on New and Shortcut.
    14. Type in schtasks /run /tn task-name for the location, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below tip)
    Tip
    Substitute task-name with the name that you used in step 3 and see in step 12 (ex: CCleaner).
    NOTE:
    Note the space after schtasks, run, and tn in the commands below.
    For a Name without Spaces – For example, type:
    schtasks /run /tn CCleaner
    For a Name with Spaces – You will need to have quotes around the name if it has spaces. For example, type:
    schtasks /run /tn “Cleaner Program”
    15. Type in a name you want for the shortcut (ex: CCleaner), then click on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)
    16. Right click on the new shortcut (ex: CCleaner) on the desktop, then click on Properties.
    17. Click on the Shortcut tab and on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)
    18. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    19. Click on the Browse button. (See screenshot below)
    20. Navigate to the .exe file of the program that you have created this shortcut with, then select it and click on Open. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    If you have an icon of your own that you would prefer to use instead, and then navigate to where you have that icon saved at instead.
    21. Select the icon you want for the shortcut, and then click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    22. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    23. You can now run at startup as a task, Pin to Start Menu, Pin to Taskbar this shortcut, or move to where you like for easy use.
    24. When you run this new elevated shortcut, you will now no longer have to click on YES to approve the UAC prompt to allow the program run as administrator.
    Tip
    To Undo and Remove this Task:
    While having Task Scheduler Library selected in the left pane, right click on the task in the right pane that you created in step 12, then click on Delete and yes to approve.
    Delete the shortcut.

  • 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.

  • 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.