Tutorials

How to Delete a Partition or Volume in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This will show you how to delete a partition or volume on a hard disk using Disk Management or Diskpart in Windows 7 and Windows 8 to create empty unallocated space that you can use to create new partitions with. You will not be able to delete the Windows partition that you are currently logged in to. The only way would be to delete it at boot or during a Windows installation. You also can't delete the system partition, boot partition, or any partition that contains the virtual memory paging file, because Windows needs this information to startup and run properly. You must be logged on in an administrator account to be able to do this tutorial. When you delete...

How to Change Windows 7 Default Folder Icons using Resource Hacker Windows 7 Folders are Live Folders , and they are not a single icon, but a combination of 5 different icons . In imageres.dll's icon group, the numbers of these 5 icons are respectively 3, 4, 5, 6, and 162 . So it is to change all the five icons to change the folder icon's look. Tools Required : 1. Resource Hacker 2. System File Replacer To be safe and secured, it is better to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html before starting any customization activities. Moreover, I recommend to have manual backup (copy and paste in a secured place) of the files before modifying, so that it may be changed easily to default...

How To Place Removable Media Shortcuts in Windows 7 This will show you how to place a temporary Shortcut on the Desktop for Removable Media This shortcut will appear when you plug in your device, and disappear when you remove it. It does NOT work like regular shortcuts, which remain on the desktop all the time. It will work for Disks, USB devices, RAM, Fixed, and Network Media. This program runs silently in your tray, taking almost no memory whatsoever. Here's How: 1) Visit Desktop Media and download Desktop Media OR http://www.ianandmonica.com/desktopmedia/download.php 2) Install DM to your computer 3) The program should already be running after install. If it is not, start it up from the Start Menu 4) Thats it! You...

How to Add or Remove "Compatibility" Tab in Properties Page in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This will show you how to add or remove the Compatibility tab when users right click or press and hold on a program's shortcut (LNK), .EXE, BAT, CMD, or MSI file and click/tap on Properties in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial. EXAMPLE: "Compatibility" Tab in Properties Page To Add or Remove "Compatibility" Tab Using a REG File Download 1. To Add "Compatibility" Tab to Properties NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below. Add_Compatibility_Tab_to_Properties.reg...

How to Restore the Default Games in Windows 7 Games Explorer Folder This will show you how to restore the default Windows 7 More Games, Chess Titans, FreeCell, Hearts, Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Spades, Mahjong Titans, Minesweep, Purple Place, Solitaire, and Spider Solitaire games in the Games folder. The Chess Titans, Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Spades, Mahjong Titans games are not available in the Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions.The Games folder is central repository for games on your computer that also offers game updates, statistics, news feeds, WEI requirements, and more. For more information about the Games Explorer folder, see: Explore the features: Games Explorer You will...

How to Clear and Reset Thumbnail Cache in Windows By default, Windows stores the images for thumbnail previews in cache memory so that it can redisplay the images quickly each time you reopen a folder in Windows Explorer (Vista and Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8). This tutorial will show you how you to clear and reset the thumbnail cache to force Windows to reload the thumbnail picture views into the cache again as needed as you open folders. The thumbnail cache .db files are located in the hidden system folder location below: C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer You may want to clear the thumbnail cache if the Windows Explorer thumbnail pictures have become corrupted and not displaying...

How to Use a Batch File to Create a Command Prompt Menu to Execute Commands This tutorial shows the process one goes through when creating a batch file that opens a command prompt menu allowing you to launch commands, programs and more. I will only be executing programs in this tutorial, but you can use this to execute any DOS command that is available in command prompt. Lines typed in the Courier New font should be added to the document. Opening Notepad First Open Notepad and Create a New Text Document Clearing the Command Window The next thing we'll do is tell the batch file not to show the second command we input. This uses the ECHO OFF command. As mentioned, ECHO OFF only hides the next command, if you wish to hide all...

How to Reset Check Disk to Not Run at Startup This will show you how to reset Check Disk or chkdsk back to it's default state of not running at the next startup. This can be handy if you had scheduled disk check to run on the next startup and changed your mind, or Check Disk will not stop running at startup. See also: The Chkdsk.exe program does not start correctly on a Windows 7-based computer You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial. Reset chkdsk using an Elevated Command Prompt 1. Open an elevated command prompt. 2. To Check to See if a Disk Check is Scheduled for a Drive A) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below and press Enter. (see screenshots below) NOTE...

How to Access Device Manager During Installation of Windows 7 This tutorial can be used to disable problem devices during install of Windows 7. This can solve some problems including hanging and crashing during installation. For this tutorial I have selected to do a 'Custom (Advanced)' install on a newly created un-active partition. Here's How: 1, Boot normally with the Windows 7 DVD in your CD/DVD drive. When prompted to 'Press any key to boot from CD DVD....' just press any key. NOTE: You only have 8 seconds to take action 2, Select your regional settings & click 'Next' to continue 3, Click 'Install Now' 4, Click to accept the terms of the licence agreement then click 'Next' 5, Select the type of install and...

How to Add, Remove, or Rearrange Command Bar Buttons in Windows 7 Explorer This will show you how to customize the command bar (toolbar) in Windows Explorer to add, remove, or rearrange command bar buttons of your choice for all users in Windows 7. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. EXAMPLE: Windows Explorer Command Bar To Add and Remove Command Bar Buttons using "Explorer Toolbar Editor" Program NOTE: Explorer Toolbar Editor helps you add or remove buttons from the Windows Explorer toolbar in Windows 7. Explorer Toolbar Editor supports multiple folder types and displays the current set of buttons for each one. Also, you can use it to reorder the toolbar buttons. 1. Download, install...

Show Window Contents or Outline While Dragging in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to show window contents while dragging or show only window outline while dragging in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. EXAMPLE: Show window outline while dragging Through Visual Effects Settings NOTE: In Windows 8.1, you must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option. 1. Open the Visual Effects settings in Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1. 2. To Show Window Contents While Dragging A) Check the Show window contents while dragging box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below) 3. To Show Window Outline While Dragging A) Uncheck the Show window contents while dragging box, and click on OK. (see...

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7 Startup Repair is a system recovery tool that automates common diagnostic and repair tasks of unbootable Windows 7 installations. If the computer fails over into Windows RE because of a detected boot failure, Startup Repair launches automatically. If automatic failover to an on-disk Windows RE is not available, Startup Repair can also be launched as a manual recovery tool from a Windows RE CD/DVD. This tutorial will show you how to run Startup Repair to allow it to scan your Windows 7 computer for a startup problem and try to fix it so your computer can start correctly. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows 7 installation disc. If your computer...

Find and Identify Unknown Devices through Device Manager This guide will show you how to locate the unidentified hardware in your device manager by using Hardware Identification. The goal of this tutorial is to help identify an unidentified device.Prerequisite knowledge includes opening windows device manager, surfing the internet, data entry and basic windows navigation skills Installing the wrong driver can crash your system, this technique revolves around the use of a 3rd party online hardware ID database. Some devices (such as legacy devices) may not have hardware ID's. See the "But what if there's no Hardware ID in the drop down box?" for tips on finding out what these devices are. Here's how Open Device Manager and...

This tutorial shows imaging with free Macrium Version 5.0. If you are still using Macrium Version 4.2, go to this Vimeo site where the tutorial of that version is stored. The Video does not show the recovery part because I have no setup to screen capture it. But Keith (Kado) made this excellent recovery tutorial with text (but no sound) that he captured from a virtual partition. Note that the external disk to which you image must be formatted in NTFS. A disk that is formatted in Fat32 will accept an image, but the recovery programs cannot restore that image. You can, however, mount (open) a Fat32 image as VHD. The production of the WinPE recovery CD (which is highly recommended) may take up to 3 hours because Macrium needs to...

How to Set Maximum Memory to be Used by Windows 7 and Windows 8 This will show you how to specify the maximum amount of physical memory (RAM) to be used by Windows to simulate a low memory configuration by using less RAM, or to make sure that you are using all of your installed RAM. Windows uses all of your installed RAM memory by default. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. 32-bit (x86) Windows 7/8 Maximum RAM Limit All editions: 4GB 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 Maximum RAM Limit per Edition Home Basic: 8GB Home Premium: 16GB Professional: 192GB Enterprise: 192GB Ultimate: 192GB 64-bit (x64) Windows 8 and 8.1 Maximum RAM Limit per Edition (core): 128GB Pro: 512GB Enterprise: 512GB If...

How to Enable or Disable Windows Media Center Updates to Wake Up the Computer This will show you how to enable or disable the Windows Media Center (mcupdate) task from waking up the computer from sleep when it checks for Media Center updates in Windows 7 and Vista. If disabled, the mcupdate task will still check for Media Center updates if the computer is running, but will not wake the computer to do so. You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. The N and KN editions of Windows 7 have all the features that normally come with each individual Windows 7 edition, except for Windows Media Player 12 and related programs, such as Windows Media Center or Windows DVD Maker. The N editions of...

How to Create a Task to Run a Program at Startup and Log On in Windows 7 This will show you how to create a task in Windows 7 Task Scheduler to run a program of your choice at the Startup and/or Log On of any user account. By default, you cannot run a elevated (Run as administrator) program that requires UAC permission at startup using the normal Windows 7 startup programs. For a Administrator User Account: You are able to have Run as administrator (elevated) programs run at startup or at log on for a administrator account in a task in Task Scheduler. For a Standard User Account: You will not be able to run elevated programs at startup or at log on for a standard user account though. Only unelevated programs (ex: Notepad)...

How to Start Windows 7 in Safe Mode Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services. This will show you how to start Windows 7 in Safe Mode. To Log on to a Different User Account in Safe Mode: If you would like to change the user account that Safe Mode is currently logged on to, then Log Off while in Safe Mode and select another user account to log on to back in Safe Mode. If you do not have another user account, then you can enable the built-in Administrator account while in Safe Mode to have available when you log off. If you do a System Restore when the computer is in safe mode, you cannot undo the restore operation. However, you can run System Restore...

How to Find and See the Windows 7 Product Key Number The Windows 7 product key number is a sequence of 25 letters and numbers divided into 5 groups of 5 characters each (ex: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) that is used to activate either the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 edition that you purchased and installed. This will show you how to find and see your product key number in Windows 7 or on the retail or OEM product license key Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker. A Windows 7 product key number can only be used to activate the same edition of Windows 7 that it was for, and cannot be used to activate a different edition of Windows 7. A Family Pack Windows 7 product key number can be used to activate the Family Pack Windows...

This video tutorial explains how to create or delete a partition and how to tell the system to move the user data folders into that partition. It applies to Windows 7 and Vista. As a video, it addresses the more visually oriented audience and is supposed to complement Brink's exellent tutorial on the matter that you find here: How to Create a New Partition or Volume in Windows 7 8722519 How to Extend a Partition or Volume in Windows 7 How to Create a New Partition or Volume in Windows 7 How to Shrink a Partition or Volume in Windows 7 How to Delete a Partition or Volume in Windows 7 How to Mark a Partition as Active in Windows 7