Tutorials

BitLocker Drive Encryption - Windows 7 Drive - Turn On or Off with no TPM How to Turn On or Off BitLocker without a TPM for Windows 7 Drive This will show you how to turn BitLocker Drive Encryption on or off for your Windows 7 or other operating system drive or partition when your computer does not have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). When BitLocker Drive Encryption is turned on, you will be required to plug in the USB flash drive that contains the startup key before starting the computer to unlock the Windows 7 or other operating system drive or partition at startup.When you add new files to the Windows 7 or other operating system drive or partition that is encrypted with BitLocker, BitLocker encrypts them automatically. Files...

How to Create an Internet Website Shortcut in Windows This tutorial will show you how to create a Internet Website Shortcut that will open a website in any browser in Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. Drag and Drop to Create Internet Website Shortcut in IE9, IE10, or IE11 You will be able to Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu this shortcut by doing this in Internet Explorer. 1. Open Internet Explorer, and go to the website that you want to create a shortcut of, then do either step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to create the shortcut. 2. To be able to Pin the Internet Shortcut A) Drag the favicon in the left side of the address bar in IE to your desktop and release to have a shortcut to the website. (see...

How to Fix Manage "File does not have a program associated with it" Error This will show you how to fix the This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action error message you get when you click on the Manage context menu item for the Computer button in the Start Menu.This is usually caused by trying to change the shortcut overlay arrow icon using the improper XP method of deleting the IsShortcut string value in the registry instead of using the proper Windows 7 method. EXAMPLE: Error message NOTE: When you right click on the Computer button in the Start Menu and click on Manage, you get this error: "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a...

How to Add or Remove User Accounts from Groups in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This will show you how to limit the ability of users to be able to perform certain actions by adding or removing their user accounts from being a member of groups and the group's default rights and permissions. Belonging to a local group gives a user the rights and abilities to perform various tasks on the local computer. You can add local user accounts, domain user accounts, computer accounts, and group accounts to local groups. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. Be sure to always have at least one user account that is a member of the Administrators group. You will lose access to everything that a standard...

How to Allow or Prevent Users and Groups to Hibernate, Restart, Shut Down, and Sleep the PC This will show you how to allow or prevent specific users and groups from being able to Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate the computer in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. You will need to be logged in as administrator to be able to do this tutorial. Default Users and Groups Allowed to Shut Down the Computer NOTE: This security setting determines which users who are logged on locally to the computer can shut down the operating system using the Shut Down command. On a Local Computer or Workstation (ex: home computer): Administrators, Backup Operators, Users On a Server: Administrators, Backup Operators On Domain...

How to Create a User Account in Windows 7 This will show you different ways on how to create a guest, standard user, and administrator user account or domain user account in Windows 7. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to create a user account. Guests - A guest account allows people to have temporary access to your computer. People using the guest account can't install software, hardware, or change settings. While the default "Guest" account cannot be password protected, an existing user account made into only a guest account using an option below can have a password. Standard user (Users) - The standard account can help protect your computer by preventing users from making changes that affect the system or...

How to Restore Missing "Pin to Taskbar" and "Pin to Start Menu" Context Menu Items in Windows 7 Shortcuts If you have the Pin to Taskbar and Pin to Start Menu options missing from the context menu of shortcuts in Windows 7, then this will show you how to restore them. This is usually caused by trying to remove the shortcut overlay arrow icon using the improper XP method of deleting the IsShortcut string value from the HKEY_CLASSES\ROOT\lnkfile key in the registry instead of using the proper Windows 7 method. EXAMPLE: "Pin to Taskbar "and "Pin to Start Menu" Default and Missing NOTE: You may also notice some context menu items appearing twice when IsShortcut is deleted. Here's How: 1. Double check to make sure that you have...

How to Enable or Disable Secure Log On CTRL+ALT+DELETE in Windows 7 This will show you how to enable or disable having to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE before being able to enter your log on credentials in the Windows 7 log on screen. Using secure logon provides an additional layer of security for your computer by ensuring that the authentic Windows logon screen appears. When secure logon is enabled, no other program (such as a virus or spyware) can intercept your user name and password credentials as you enter them. EXAMPLE: Secured Log On CTRL+ALT+DELETE screen NOTE: If you have a tablet connected to your computer with it's drivers installed, then you may see Press CTRL + Alt + Delete or use the Windows Security Button to log on...

How to Add "Local Group Policy Editor" to Control Panel in Windows This will show you how to add Local Group Policy Editor, also known as gpedit.msc, to the Control Panel in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. In Windows 7, the Local Group Policy Editor will only be available in the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. In Windows RT, 8, and 8.1, the Local Group Policy Editor will only be available in the Pro and Enterprise editions. EXAMPLE: Before and After "Local Group Policy Editor" added to Control Panel NOTE: This is the Control Panel icons and category view. Here's How: 1. To Remove "Local Group Policy Editor" from Control Panel NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click/tap on the Download...

How to Move Taskbar Location on Desktop in Windows 7 This tutorial will show you how to move the taskbar to be displayed at the bottom, left, right, or top border of the desktop screen in Windows 7. FIX: Locked taskbar moves to the top of the screen in Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 EXAMPLE: Taskbar From Taskbar and Start Menu Properties 1. Right click on a empty space on the taskbar and click on Properties. A) Go to step 3. OR 2. Right click on the Start button and click on Properties. A) Click on the Taskbar tab. (See screenshots below step 3) 3. Click on the Taskbar location on screen drop down menu, then select the location you want the taskbar to be displayed at. (See screenshots below) NOTE...

How to Show Full Day and Month Names in Date on Taskbar System Tray in Windows This will show you how to change the date format of the date on the taskbar system tray in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 to show the date how you would like it to. For example, with the day and month names like Sunday 07 August 2011 instead of 8/7/2011. To be able to have the full date and time to display on the taskbar, you may also need to have the taskbar set to have large icons OR resize the taskbar's height until displayed. This will also change how the short date is displayed globally in Windows 7, and not just on the taskbar. EXAMPLE: System Tray Date NOTE: This is an example of the default tray date and one with the day and month showing. The...

How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7 This will show you how to do custom installation of Windows 7 to have a new clean install of Windows 7, but with everything from your current Windows installation backed up into the Windows.old folder during this custom installation. After the custom installation, you can copy any files you wanted back from within the C:\Windows.old folder back into your new installation of Windows 7 and delete the Windows.old folder when finished. Like with a clean install, you will need to install all of your drivers and programs again after doing a custom install of Windows 7.Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements: NOTE: See also: Windows 7 system requirements 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor 1...

How to Customize Common Open File Dialog Box Places Bar in Windows When you save or open a file in an application that uses Windows common dialog box, the Places bar on the left side of the dialog box can help you navigate quicker to a location. This will show you how to customize the list of items displayed in the Places Bar in the Windows XP style common open file dialog box (ex: Save As, Open) for all users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. You can specify from 1 to 5 items to be displayed in the Places Bar.The valid items you may display in the Places Bar are: 1) Shortcuts (full path) to a local folder -- (ex. C:\Windows) NOTE: Do not include full path in quotes. 2) Shortcuts (full path) to remote folders --...

How to Completely Uninstall AVG Antivirus This tutorial will guide you through removing AVG products completely from your machine, either so you may reinstall it or make sure everything is cleaned up to move to a new anti-virus. This guide assumes you have no antivirus protection installed at the moment. If you do, disable it during this guide as it may interfere with this procedure. Always Uninstall AVG Anti-virus the proper way through Control Panel - Uninstall A Program when possible. Then continue to this method. If the uninstaller fails for whatever reason, then attempt this method. 1.) First, download the AVG removal tool here for your system: http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities This will take you to the...

How to Completely Uninstall Norton/Symantec Products This tutorial will guide you through removing Norton/Symantec products products completely from your machine, either so you may reinstall it or make sure everything is cleaned up to move to a new anti-virus. This guide assumes you have no antivirus protection installed at the moment. If you do, disable it during this guide as it may interfere with this procedure. Always Uninstall Norton/Symantec products the proper way through Control Panel - Uninstall A Program when possible. Then continue to this method. If the uninstaller fails for whatever reason, then attempt this method. 1.) First, download the Norton/Symantec removal tool here...

How to Completely Uninstall Panda Antivirus This tutorial will guide you through removing Panda products completely from your machine, either so you may reinstall it or make sure everything is cleaned up to move to a new anti-virus. This guide assumes you have the latest version of Panda Antivirus installed. This guide also assumes no antivirus protection is installed at the moment. If you do, disable it during this guide as it may interfere with this procedure. Always Uninstall Panda Anti-virus the proper way through Control Panel - Uninstall A Program when possible. Then continue to this method. If the uninstaller fails for whatever reason, then attempt this method. 1.) First, download the Panda removal tool here...

The Private Character Editor is the lesser-known companion to Character Map. The program allows you to insert characters of your own design into text that you write. They can be linked to all fonts, a selected number of fonts, or just a single font. Begin by clicking on :orb: and typing Private Character Editor into the search box and press enter/return. You will need to enter administrative credentials to continue. The following screen will appear: Click on OK. If you wish to design your own characters, you can do so in the grid shown below. When you have finished your design, proceed to the Save Character section. Click Edit and then click Copy Character... Choose the character you wish to copy, click on it to select...

How to Allow Incoming VPN Connections in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This will show you how to configure your computer to accept VPN connection and router settings to allow Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) on your Network in Windows 7 and Windows 8. Here’s How: 1. Go to Control Panel and open Network and Sharing Center. 2. Click on Change adapter settings. 3. Press Alt+F and select New Incoming connection… 4. Put a check on who you’d like to give access to this computer or you can configure a new account by clicking on Add someone… Click on Next. 5. Put a check mark on Through the Internet. Click on Next. 6. Select the protocols you want to enable for this connection. Click on Allow access. Tip: Default...

How to Pin or Unpin a Drive to Taskbar in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to pin a drive to the taskbar as a toolbar in Windows 7 and Windows 8. EXAMPLE: Pin Drive to Taskbar To Pin a Drive to the Taskbar as an EXE File 1. Open Notepad, and click on File (Menu bar) and Save as. (see screenshot below) NOTE: You will need to leave notepad blank. 2. Navigate to your desktop. Under Save as type, change it to All Files (*.*), type in a name you want for this (ex: Drive C.exe) with the .exe file extension at the end, and click on the Save button. (see screenshot below) 3. Close Notepad. 4. Right click on the saved .exe file on your desktop (ex: Drive C.exe), and click on Pin to Taskbar. 5. Right click...

herdProtect by Reason Malware Detection: herdProtect, a multi-engine cloud based scanner ! Warning ! Effective malware remediation often requires specialized knowledge and tools. You can use this tutorial on your own, but it is best to have the guidance of a SevenForums (SF) member experienced in malware assist you. Follow the exact instructions of the SF member assisting you, those instructions might differ slightly from the instructions found here.. According to the author of herdProtect: How does it work? The scanner takes a snapshot of all the 'active' files on a user's PC. An active file is defined as currently executing on the system or has the ability to automatically execute by means of an auto-start procedure.Personally...