Tutorials

How to Create a "Personalization" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to create or download a Personalization shortcut that opens directly to the Personalization window to change the visuals and sounds settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8. The Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions do not have the personalization feature included in them. This shortcut will open Windows Color and Appearance instead in the these two editions. EXAMPLE: Personalization To Download a "Personalization" Shortcut 1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below. Personalization.zip http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27045&stc=1&d=1252399251 2. Save the .zip file to your...

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Issues You might have issues with Internet Explorer like not opening or crashing often not loading pages etc. Here are few troubleshooting steps that you can do to fix certain issue. 1. The first step which always you could try is to disable the add-ons and see if that works or fix the problem that you have with IE. Start | Under search | Internet Explorer (No Add-ons) It will open the Internet Explorer without any add-ons then see if you have the same problem. If that fixes it then next thing is to enable the add-ons one by one to find the culprit. a. Click the Tools button, and then click Manage Add-ons. b. Under Show, click All add-ons. c. Click the add-on you want to disable, and...

Windows 7 has some fine in-built diagnostic tools to help you troubleshoot Windows Media Player issues, which you may be facing. This tutorial will give you some steps to fix common problem you might encounter with Windows Media Player 12.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 Windows 7 allow you to choose your own media player and software required to manage and play CDs, DVDs, and other digital media files. If you choose to use Windows Media Player 12, downloading it, along with related software, is free. Download Media Feature Pack...

How to Create a "Stored User Names and Passwords" Shortcut in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 With Stored User Names and Passwords, Windows can store your logon credentials for servers, web sites, and programs. This tutorial will show you how to download or create a Stored User Names and Passwords shortcut in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. EXAMPLE: Stored User Names and Passwords To Download a "Stored User Names and Passwords" Shortcut 1. Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below Stored_User_Names_and_Passwords.zip http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=136519&stc=1&d=1296854565 2. Save the .zip file to your desktop. 3. Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the Stored User...

How to Change the Icon of a Shortcut in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This will show you how to change the icon of any file, folder, or drive shortcut to have a custom icon of your choice instead.To change a shortcut icon that is pinned to the taskbar, you will need to first unpin the shortcut from the taskbar, change the shortcut's icon using the instructions below, then pin the shortcut back to the taskbar. EXAMPLE: Before and After Shortcut Icon Change Here's How: 1. Right click or press and hold on the shortcut of a file, folder, or drive, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshots below) 2. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, click/tap on the Change Icon button, and do step 3, 4, or 5 below for what you would like to do...

How to Use "Open Command Window Here" in Windows 7 This will show you how to use the Open Command Window Here context menu item of a folder or drive to open a command prompt with the focus at the folder or drive location in Windows 7. This will make it easier to perform a command task at that folder or drive location instead of having to open a command prompt normally and manually type the folder location in it using the CD\ command. The Open Command Window Here context menu is only available for a folder, included library folder, or drive in Windows Explorer, Navigation Pane, and on the Desktop. The Open Command Window Here context menu is not available for a Library or files (ex: exe, txt, etc...). The Open Command Window Here...

How to Add or Remove the Connections Tab in Internet Options This will show you how to add or remove the Connections tab in the Internet Options properties window of Internet Explorer for all users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. If opened from within Internet Explorer, it is called Internet Options. If opened from the Control Panel, it is called Internet Properties. EXAMPLE: Connections Tab in Internet Options Using a REG File Download 1. To Add Connections Tab to Internet Options A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Add_Connections_Tab_Internet_Options.reg http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=87570&stc=1&d=1280158025 B) Go to step 3. 2. To Remove Connections Tab from...

How to Use Small or Large Icons on the Windows 7 Taskbar This will show you how to set the Windows 7 taskbar to display with either small or large icons.Microsoft has made available a hotfix that will resolve a problem where the taskbar customizations are lost and reset to defaults when automatic logon is enabled in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. More details are available at FIX: The Taskbar is reset to the default settings when you use the "Automatically Log On" feature in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2. EXAMPLE: Taskbar with Large Icons NOTE: This is the default setting. EXAMPLE: Taskbar with Small Icons Through Taskbar Properties 1. Right click on a empty space on the taskbar and click on Properties. 2. To...

How to Change Thumbnail Previews Border in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to change the border of thumbnail previews for image and video files to have either a drop shadow border, photo border, video sprockets border, or no border in Windows 7 and Windows 8. You will need to click on View or Views, on the Windows Explorer window Menu bar, and have it set to either Medium Icons, Large Icons, or Extra Large Icons to see a thumbnail preview of the file image as the icon. For more on this, see: How to Change the Icon Size in Windows 7 Explorer How to Change Icon Size and Layout Folder View in Windows 8 File Explorer EXAMPLE: Available Thumbnail Preview Image Borders NOTE: The default border for thumbnails...

How to Turn Internet Explorer Compatibility View On or Off for a Website Websites that were designed for earlier versions of Internet Explorer might not display correctly in IE8, IE9, IE10, or IE11. When you turn on Compatibility View, the webpage you're viewing, as well as any other webpages within the website's domain, will be displayed as if you were using an earlier version of Internet Explorer. This tutorial will show you how to add (turn on) and remove (turn off) websites to be displayed in Compatibility View. Not all website display problems are caused by browser incompatibility. Interrupted Internet connections, heavy traffic, or website bugs can also affect how a webpage is displayed. Through the Internet Explorer...

How to change your default Region and Language settings This will show you how to set your Regional and Language Format, Location and System Locale settings. Following the steps outlined below has been known to solve issues such as Sky Player not showing up in Media Center, which is due to discrepencies in the region/language settings Here's How: 1. Open the Control Panel(Category View), then click on Regional and Language. (See screenshot below) 2. Click the 'Formats' tab (selected by default), then click the Format: dropdown and select the format you require (See screenshot below) 3. Next, click the 'Location' tab and select your location from the dropdown (See screenshot below) 4. Next, click the 'Administrative' tab. You...

How to Do an Upgrade Install from XP to Windows 7 As you have certainly heard, Windows XP cannot be directly in-place upgraded to Windows 7. However, it is completely possible, legal and valid using Windows Vista as "springboard" to Seven. Even though I belong to that amazingly small minority speaking for in-place upgrade, I seriously do not recommend you to do this without a strong motivation and need. For the first, it takes time; I've done this now almost 20 times and the shortest project took a bit over 5 hours. Secondly, when in-place upgrading not only to one operating system but also to one after that, so much can go wrong. Not necessarily, but the possibility exists. Don't misunderstand me. A well planned and done in-place...

How to Enable or Disable Require Password on Wakeup in Windows 7 Seems a needless extra step to have to log on every time your computer resumes from standby, suspend, or hibernate. This will show you how to resume from suspend directly to the desktop without requiring a password on wakeup. Through Power Options 1. Open the Power Options Advanced Plan Settings. 2. Click on the Change settings that are currently unavailable link. 3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes. 4. To Disable Require Password on Wakeup A) Change the Require a password on wakeup setting to NO , and click on OK. 5. To Enable Require Password on Wakeup A) Change the Require a password on wakeup setting to YES , and click on OK. 6. Close the rest of...

How to Enable or Disable Error Reporting in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 The error reporting feature enables users to notify Microsoft of application faults, kernel faults, unresponsive applications, and other application specific problems. Microsoft can use the error reporting feature to provide customers with troubleshooting information, solutions, or updates for their specific problems. Developers can use this infrastructure to receive information that can be used to improve their applications. If a solution is not available yet, the information that you send in a problem report can help Microsoft find or create a new solution. For more information aboue Windows Error Reporting, see: Windows Error Reporting This tutorial...

How to Export and Import User Disk Quota Entries in Windows This tutorial will show you how to export and import user Quota Entries for a selected NTFS hard disk to make it easier to add or restore in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial. You will need to have disk quota limits enabled to be able to enforce them. Here's How: 1. Open the Computer window, right click or press and hold on the NTFS formatted hard disk (ex: my F drive) that you want to export it's quota entries for, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below) 2. Click/tap on the Quota tab, and click/tap on the Show Quota Settings button. (see screenshot below) 3. If...

How to Add or Remove Desktop Gadgets in Windows 7 This will show you how to add or remove Gadgets from the Windows 7 Desktop. Gadgets are mini-programs on the desktop which offer information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools.Gadgets are no longer on Windows Sidebar like in Vista. Once a gadget is added to the desktop, you can move and leave it anywhere you like on the desktop. Gadgets installed by a User are located in the hidden folder below: (shell:gadgets) C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets The Gadgets and Shared Gadgets folders is located at: For 64-bit Windows 7 C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets and C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Sidebar\Shared...

How to Add or Remove Security Tab from Properties in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Security tab in the Properties window of all folders, files, shortcuts, and drives for specific or all users in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. If the Security tab is removed, all users will not be able to change the security permission settings or view a list of all users that have access to folders, files, shortcuts, and drives. The Security tab is not available for file and folder properties if their storage location is using the FAT or FAT32 file system. EXAMPLE: Security Tab Added (default) and Removed Add or Remove Security Tab using a REG File Download 1. To Add or Restore the...

How to Disable ULPS (Ultra Low Power State) for Graphics Cards in AMD CrossfireX ULPS stands for Ultra Low Power State for GPU's or graphic card adapters. You may want to disable ULPS if you have an AMD CrossfireX configuration because the 2nd GPU installed will load 99% and causes overheating, crash, and possible GPU damage. The point of this is to disable power draw from the 2nd card when not in gaming mode. It has become a major issue when gaming or just plain web browsing. You'll notice an increase in GPU fan noise, and start to see artifacts because the 2nd GPU is at 100% load and will not stop unless you disable CrossFire or SLI. These steps are here to help you at least keep the problem off until a proper driver or...

How to Activate Office 2013 Office 2013 doesn't ask you to enter the product key during installation like it does in Office 2010. This tutorial will show you how to activate Office 2013 after it has been installed in Windows 7 or Windows 8. For more information about Office 2013 activation, see also: Activate Office programs - support - Office.com For phone activation of Office 2013, see: How to contact a Microsoft Product Activation Center by telephone Microsoft Office activation (United States only): (888) 652-2342 TTY number: (800) 718-1599 For volume activation of Office 2013, please see this link below from Microsoft instead. Volume activation of Office 2013 Here's How: 1. When Office 2013 is finished installing...

How to Copy a CD/DVD with only one CD/DVD Drive in Windows This will show how to make a copy of a CD/DVD if you have only one optical disk drive (ODD) using ISO Recorder by Alex Feinman. It won't appear in the Programs list, only in the context menu as shown below in figure 2. Your ODD may speed up or stop at times during the process, it is normal, don't eject until done. Iso Recorder by Alex Feinman 1. Ok, here goes. Put the original disk in the ODD (optical disk drive) close any window the disk brings up. I have use a w7 install disk for this demo. 2. Open Computer, right click the ODD with the disk. 3. The Recorder window will open, adjust as shown below. 4. When you click Next it will start copying, which is...