Tutorials

How to Disable the "Recovery" Option in Windows 7 Description: This policy setting controls whether users can access the recovery options (in Control Panel) to restore the initial state of the computer or a system image created by the user. This should not disable the native windows 7 System Restore Points. Only what is mentioned in this tutorial Overview: System requirements: Windows 7 at least If you enable this policy setting or if you do not configure the options, Use a system image created earlier to recover your computer and reinstall Windows (or Restore factory condition of your computer) are displayed on the page methods advanced recovery recovery (in Control Panel) and enable the user to restore the initial state of the...

How to Create a "Links" Library with Correct Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This will show you how to create a Links library that has the correct Links folder icon on a glass plate for it's library icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8. The included folder C:\Users\(user-name)\Links is also the folder that the Favorites in the navigation pane of Windows Explorer are saved at. EXAMPLE: Links Library with Correct Icon Here's How: 1. To Download the Links Library Icon A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the Links_Library.zip file that contains the correct Searches library icon. http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=183418&stc=1&d=1321159863 B) Save the ZIP file to your desktop. C) Double click/tap...

How to Create a Windows 7 "Backup User and System Files" Shortcut This will show you how to create or download a Backup User and System Files shortcut that you can use to create a backup of your user and system files instead of having to go through the Control Panel to do so. This shortcut is the same as if you clicked on either the Set up backup or Change settings button in Backup and Restore. To be able to use this shortcut, you must be logged in as an administrator. EXAMPLE: "Set up backup" or "Change settings" Download and Setup "Backup User and System Files" Shortcut 1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Backup_User_and_System_Files_Shortcut.zip...

How to Add or Remove "Pin to Start Menu" from Context Menu in Windows 7 This will show you how to add or remove Pin to Start Menu from the context menu of all users in Windows 7. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial. If this doesn't help to restore Pin to Start Menu to the context menu, then see also: How to Restore Missing "Pin to Taskbar" and "Pin to Start Menu" Context Menu Items in Windows 7 Shortcuts EXAMPLE: "Pin to Start Menu" Context Menu item Here's How: 1. To Add "Pin to Start Menu" to Context Menu NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Restore_Pin_to_Start_Menu.reg...

How to Add or Remove "Pin to Taskbar" from Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Pin to Taskbar item from the context menu of all users in Windows 7 and Windows 8. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial. If this doesn't help to restore Pin to Taskbar to the context menu, then see also: How to Restore Missing "Pin to Taskbar" and "Pin to Start Menu" Context Menu Items in Windows 7 Shortcuts EXAMPLE: "Pin to Taskbar" Context Menu item Here's How: 1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do. 2. To Add "Pin to Taskbar" to Context Menu NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click/tap on the Download button below...

How to Create a "Searches" Library with Correct Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This will show you how to create a Searches library in Windows 7 and Windows 8 that has the correct Searches folder icon on a glass plate for it's library icon. EXAMPLE: Searches Library with Correct Icon Here's How: 1. To Download the Searches Library Icon A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the Searches_Library.zip file that contains the correct Searches library icon. http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182023&stc=1&d=1320292626 B) Save the ZIP file to your desktop. C) Double click/tap on the ZIP file to open it, then extract (drag and frop) the Searches_Library.ico file to the location that you want to keep...

This is a brief guide on how graphics memory works and is reported in Windows 7. There has been much confusion here and elsewhere with this due to how things are worded when looking at the detailed report from a WEI score for example, Looking at the numbers above it would appear that there is a total of 2303 MB of video memory, however that isn't the case. To break it down and make it easier to understand you need to realize what the three variables listed are, Dedicated graphics memory This is the actual amount of physical memory that the video card will have, whether it is onboard or a dedicated video card. For most onboard video this value is what is allocated in the bios and deducted from the total of the system ram, and...

Enable or Disable Last Play Time of Games in "Games Explorer" in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the tracking of last play time of games in Games Explorer in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. To Turn Tracking of Last Play Time of Games On or Off NOTE: This option can be used by any user on the computer so long as it is still enabled by default in either OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE below. 1. Open the Games Explorer, and click/tap on the Options toolbar button. (see screenshot below) 2. To Turn On Tracking of Last Play Time of Games NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Check the Collect most recently played game information box, then click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below) 3. To...

Enable or Disable Downloading Game Information in "Games Explorer" in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable downloading game art and information (ex: genre or rating details) in Games Explorer in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. To Turn Downloading Game Information On or Off NOTE: This option can be used by any user on the computer so long as it is still enabled by default in either OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE below. 1. Open the Games Explorer, and click/tap on the Options toolbar button. (see screenshot below) 2. To Turn On Downloading Game Art and Information NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Check the Download art and information about installed games box, then click/tap on...

Enable or Disable Game Updates in "Games Explorer" in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable automatically checking for game updates and news in Games Explorerin Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. When enabled and turned on, you will be notified when game news or software updates are available. To Turn Game Updates and News On or Off NOTE: This option can be used by any user on the computer so long as updates are still enabled by default in either OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE below. 1. Open the Games Explorer, and click/tap on the Options toolbar button. (see screenshot below) 2. To Turn On Automatic Game Updates and News NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Select (dot) the...

How to Set and Lock a Default Skin in Windows Media Player for Users This will show you how to have Windows Media Player (WMP) display only in skin mode with a skin of your choice for all users in XP, Vista, and Windows 7. If enabled, a user has access only to the Player features that are available with the specified skin. Users will not be able to Switch to Library (full mode) in WMP, and cannot choose a different skin. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. WMP skins are installed to the location(s) below. Here you will see the available skin file names that can be used. In 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\Skins In 64-bit Windows Only: C:\Program Files...

How to Enable or Disable "Sound Recorder" in Windows 7 and Vista This will show you how to enable or disable specific or all users from being able to run Sound Recorder in Windows 7 and Vista. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. EXAMPLE: Sound Recorder and Disabled Message Using a REG File Download 1. To Enable "Sound Recorder" for Only Current User NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Enable_Sound_Recorder.reg http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/181307d1319862278-sound-recorder-enable-disable-enable_sound_recorder.reg B) Go to step 3. 2. To Disable "Sound Recorder" for Only Current User A) Click on the...

How to Create and Add a "Internet Explorer" Desktop Icon in Windows 7 This will show you how to create a Internet Explorer (IE) desktop icon in Windows 7 that has Open Home Page, Start Without Add-ons, Start InPrivate Browsing, and Properties that opens "Internet Options" included in it's context menu. This Internet Explorer desktop icon will only be added to the desktop of the user that runs the REG files below. EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer Desktop Icon in Windows 7 NOTE: This also shows the right click context menu. Here's How: NOTE: Using either REG file download below will override any of them. 1. To Add 32-bit IE Desktop Icon in 32-bit Windows 7 NOTE: Use this option if you have 32-bit Windows 7 installed on your...

How to Customize the Command Bar in IE9 and IE10 This tutorial will show you how to customize the Command bar buttons in IE9 and IE10. Here's How: 1. If you have not already, you will need to turn on the Command bar in IE9 or IE10. 2. Do either step 3, 4, or 5 below for what you would like to do. 3. To Show Text Labels On All Command Bar Buttons A) Right click on a empty area on the Command bar, click/tap on Customize, and select (dot) Show all text labels. (see screenshot below) B) Go to step 6. 4. To Show Selective Text Labels On Command Bar Buttons NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Right click on a empty area on the Command bar, click/tap on Customize, and select (dot) Show selective text. (see screenshot...

How to Create a "Add Printer" Wizard Shortcut in Windows 7 and Vista This will show you how to create or download a Add Printer wizard shortcut in Windows 7 and Vista. EXAMPLE: Add Printer Wizard [ To Download the "Add Printer" Shortcut 1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Add_Printer.zip http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=179707&stc=1&d=1318918267 2. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop. 3. Open the .zip file and extract the Add Printer shortcut to the desktop. 4. Right click on the Add Printer shortcut, and click on Properties, General tab, and on the Unblock button. NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the shortcut is already...

How to Create a "Password Reset Wizard" Shortcut in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 This will show you how to create a Password Reset Wizard shortcut to use to easily reset the password for your user account if forgotten in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. To be able to use this shortcut to reset your password, you must have first created a password reset disk onto a USB flash drive prior. You will need to connect this USB flash drive to your computer before running the Password Reset Wizard shortcut. EXAMPLE: Password Reset Wizard To Download the "Password Reset Wizard" Shortcut 1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below. Password_Reset_Wizard.zip...

How to Uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This tutorial will show you how to uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows 8. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to uninstall a Windows Update. You can remove some updates, but not updates that affect important operating system files. You should remove an update only if you're sure that it's causing a problem. If you want, you can reinstall the update later by going to Windows Update in the Control Panel and checking again for updates. Uninstall Windows Update through Installed Updates 1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for how you would like to open Installed Updates. 2. Open the Control Panel (icons view) in Windows 7 or Windows 8, and...

How to Add Windows Photo Viewer "Slide show" to Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8 This will show you how to add Slide show to the context menu for when users right click on a empty area in a opened folder or library window in Windows 7 or Windows 8 to play all image files in the folder or library as a slide show with Windows Photo Viewer. While you must be logged in as an administrator to be able to add or remove the "Slide show" context menu, all users on the computer will be able to use the context menu. Normally, you could also open a folder or library that contains what you want to play in a slide show, and click on the Slide show command bar (toolbar) button. When the slide show is playing, you can right click...

How to Fix a Repeatedly Offered Windows Update This tutorial will show you how to deal with a Windows Update which is repeatedly offered to you.It is extremely important to note that an update which is repeatedly installed successfully, but then re-offered repeatedly is not necessarily successfully installed. In fact, in most cases, it is the success message which is in error, and in fact, the update is not completely installed, and is therefore not protecting you. Hiding the update will lull you into a false sense of security. I therefore strongly recommend that you do not hide such an update, but work to rectify this problem. Instructions for fixing most cases of this exact problem are given below. Please read on! If you already...

How to Change Time Format in Windows 7 This tutorial will show you how to change the regional time format to how you want it to display in Windows 7. Here's How: 1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Region and Language (Windows 7) or Region (Windows 8) icon. 2. Under the Formats tab, select the format regional language that you want to use. (See screenshot below step 3) 3. Change the time formats to how you want them displayed, and click/tap on the Apply button. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This will be for how the Short time and Long time will be displayed as. 4. Click/tap on the Additional Settings button. (See screenshot above) NOTE: This will allow you to further customize the time format. 5...