Tutorials

How to Create your Fan Light Switch This tutorial will show you how to add a switch to turn off those bright LED fan lights they use. This project involves soldering and bare wire leads. Always take the appropriate cautions when working with electrical parts. While it may seem very daunting at first, this tutorial is actually extremely simple once you see what to do. Items needed: Computer fan 22 Gauge Wire 4 pin FEMALE (and male if you want) MOLEX connectors (to connect to PSU) Wire clippers Heat Shrink (optional, but highly recommended) Solder and Soldering Iron (or pliers and cable connectors if you don't mind it) *This tutorial will assume that you know how to solder, and that is the method you will use. If you have any...

How to Add or Remove "Map Network Drive" and "Disconnect Network Drive" Options This will show you how to add or remove Map Network Drive and Disconnect Network Drive from the toolbar, Tools menu, ribbon (Windows 8), and drive icon's context menu in Windows Explorer and Network Locations for all or specific users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. If removed, this prevents users from using Windows Explorer or Network Locations to map or disconnect network drives. This does not prevent users from connecting to another computer by typing the name of a shared folder in the =Shortcuts"]Run dialog box. You will need to be logged in is an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. EXAMPLE: "Map Network Drive" and "Disconnect...

How to Have More Accurate Search Results in Windows 7 and Vista By default, Windows searches using the index. While faster, search results from the index may not always be up to date or accurate due to waiting on the index to slowly update itself in the background when there is low or idle usage of the computer. You could rebuild the index to speed up updating the index, but this could get annoying if you make a lot of changes to file types and folder locations that are included in the index list and do a lot of searches often. Normally you could also disable the index Windows Search service to have Windows default to using non-index search results. This would be fine in Vista, but in Windows 7, this would cause you to no longer...

How to Change the Button Icons in Firefox (Be sure to make backups of your images in the case you mess up, this is for semi advanced users) Step 1- Open WinRaR and navigate to C: Program Files/Mozilla Firefox/Chrome/Classic.jar. Go into the Classic.Jar Step 2- Drag the folder named skin to the desktop. Step 3- Go into the folder thats on the desktop (should be named classic) , then into the aero folder, then into the browser folder. The images to be modified for the Toolbar buttons are named Toolbar.png. (there may be more images that you want to modify, but we are going to focus on the Main toolbar images ). Step 4- All of the images are to together in one .png file. The easiest way we have found to modify them (using photoshop)...

How to Change to Full or Compact View in Windows Live Messenger 2011 This will show you how to change the newer Windows Live Messenger 2011 (15.4.3502.922 version) to display in either the default full view or compact view mode. Change Windows Live Messenger from Full View to Compact View NOTE: Full view is the default view in Windows Live Messenger 2011. 1. In Windows Live Messenger 2011, click on the pane icon in the upper right corner to change to compact view. (see screenshot below) Change Windows Live Messenger from Compact View to Full View NOTE: Compact view was the default view in older versions on Windows Live Messenger. 1. In Windows Live Messenger 2011, click on the pane icon in the upper right corner to change to...

How to Turn Protected Mode On or Off in Internet Explorer Protected mode in IE7, IE8, IE9, IE10, and IE11 is a feature that makes it more difficult for malicious software to be installed on your computer. In addition to helping protect your computer from malicious software, protected mode allows you to install wanted ActiveX controls or add-ons when you are logged in as an administrator. Protected mode is turned on by default in the Internet, Local intranet, and Restricted sites zones and an icon appears on the status bar (see example screenshot below) to let you know that it's running. For more information about Protected Mode in Internet Explorer, see: Protected Mode in Vista IE7 - IEBlog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs...

Windows Easy Transfer - Using the XP Version on Windows 7 How to: Implement the XP Windows Easy Transfer on Windows 7 This tutorial is about implementing the Vista/XP Windows Easy Transfer on Windows 7, not the Windows Easy Transfer application built into Windows 7 Reasons for using this older version of Windows Easy Transfer include: · Outlook settings & email · System settings · Select program settings The Windows 7 version of Windows Easy Transfer does not seem to support transferring Outlook settings & email This tutorial is meant to be used on the “old” computer, or the computer that has the files & settings you want to transfer. The “new”, or destination computer does not need this Step 1 Fetch the Windows XP...

How to Only Allow Explicitly Enabled MMC Snap-ins to Open in Windows This will show you how to selectively permit or prohibit the use of Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-ins for all users on the computer in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. When enabled, all snap-ins are prohibited, except those that you explicitly enabled (permit). When disabled or not configured, all snap-ins are permitted, except those that you explicitly disabled (prohibit). EXAMPLE: MMC Snap-ins NOTE: This is the MMC snap-ins in the Local Group Policy Editor that you can set each specific snap-in as enabled, disabled, or not configured. For more details on how to do this...

How to Change How Long Notifications Stay Open in Windows 7 Notifications are small pop-up windows that are displayed in the notification area of the taskbar. They provide information about a variety of things, including status, progress, and the detection of new devices. Action Center also displays messages about recommended security and maintenance tasks next to its flag icon in the notification area. This will show you how to change how long notifications or messages in the Windows 7 taskbar notification area are displayed on the screen before they close automatically.When you make any changes in the Ease of Access Center, the visual effects settings will get reset back to default settings automatically. EXAMPLE: Notification...

How to Enable or Disable the Computer Management MMC Snap-in This will show you how to enable or disable specific all users on the computer from being able to open and view the Computer Management MMC snap-in window in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. EXAMPLE: Computer Management MMC Snap-in Disabled Enable or Disable Computer Management using a REG File 1. To Enable Computer Management MMC Snap-in for Current User NOTE: This is the default setting of Not Configured. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Enable_Computer_Management_MMC.reg...

How to Enable or Disable the Services MMC Snap-in This will show you how to enable or disable specific or all users on the computer from being able to open and view the Services MMC snap-in window in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial. If you wanted to disable the Services MMC, then you should also disable the Computer Management MMC to prevent Services from being opened from within Computer Management. EXAMPLE: Services MMC Snap-in Disabled Enable or Disable Services MMC using a REG File 1. To Enable Services MMC Snap-in for Only Current User NOTE: This is the default setting of Not Configured. A) Click on the Download button below to...

How to Get a DownTheMall Alternative for Google Chrome Have you ever missed the brilliant DownTheMall from Firefox and want it in Chrome, then this guide will show you how :) It isn't actually DownTheMall but a workaround. Things you will need: Chrome Free Download Manager DM-Bridge extension for Chrome 1) Install Chrome if you haven't already but I assume you will be using as your default browser anyway. 2) Next, install Free Download Manager and at the prompts uncheck the two buttons during the installation to install extra apps and fiddle with bittorrent settings, these aren't really needed. But do make sure you check the box that starts up FDM when you start up your PC. 3) Now install the DM-Bridge extension and at...

How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows System Recovery Options This will show you how to load the SATA drivers in System Recovery Options in Windows 7 or Vista. When you try to repair in Windows 7 or Vista, repair can not find your Hard Drive. 1) Copy your SATA driver to a disk. (Floppy, CD, USB) NOTE: Keep this disk in a safe place. NOTE: for this example, I am using a Floppy disk. 2) Click Load Drivers. 3) Click OK 4) Click Computer. 5) Choose your Sata Controller. Double Click on folder. NOTE: for this example, I am using Promise Fastrak 376. 6) Choose your Sata Controller. Click Add drivers. 7) Continue with Repair. How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot PC How to Load SATA Driver in...

How to Create an "Encrypting File System" Manager Shortcut in Windows Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that allows you to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. This will show you how to create or download a Encrypting File System Manager shortcut in Windows. The Encrypting File System Manager is only available in the Vista Business, Ultimate, Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise, and Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise editions. EXAMPLE: Encrypting File System Manager To Download "Encrypting File System" Manager Shortcut 1. Click on the download button below to download the file below. Encrypting_File_System_Manager.zip...

How to Create a "Printer Migration" Wizard Shortcut in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 The Printer Migration wizard will allow you to export (back up) print queues, printer settings, printer ports, and language monitors to a file, and then let you import (restore) them from the file to any computer. For more information and details about Printer Migration, see: Migrate Print Servers . This tutorial will show you how to create or download a Printer Migration wizard shortcut in Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, Vista Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows 8 Enterprise. EXAMPLE: Printer Migration To Download the "Printer Migration" Shortcut 1. Click/tap on the...

How to Create a People Near Me Shortcut People Near Me is a service that enables you to use certain peer-to-peer programs on a network. People Neer me identifies people nearby who are using computers and allows them to send you invitations to use programs installed on your computer. To use People Near Me, you have to sign in to the service. This will show you how to create or download People Near Me shortcuts that will open to the Settings and Sign in tab in People Near Me. You can also Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu this shortcut, or move where you like for easy use in Windows 7. For more information and details about People Near Me, see: People Near Me: frequently asked questions EXAMPLE: People Near Me shortcuts...

How to Move Stop and Refresh Buttons to Left or Right of Address Bar in in IE9 and IE10 This tutorial will show you how to move the Stop and Refresh buttons to be on either the left or right (default) side of the address bar in IE9 or IE10. Here's How: 1. Open IE9 or IE10. NOTE: In Windows 8, this would only apply to the IE10 desktop version, and not the IE10 Metro (Windows UI) version. 2. To Move Stop and Refresh to the Left of the Address Bar in IE9 or IE10 A) Right click on a area boxed in red on the address bar, and click/tap on Show Stop and Refresh before Address bar to have it checked afterwards. (see screenshot below) 3. To Move Stop and Refresh to the Right of the Address Bar in IE9 or IE10 A) Right click on a area...

How to Create a "Create a System Image" Shortcut in Windows 7 This will show you how to create a Create a System Image shortcut in Windows 7. To be able to use this shortcut, you must be logged in as an administrator. EXAMPLE: Create a System Image To Download and Setup the "Create a System Image" Shortcut 1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Create_a_System _Image.zip http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189043&stc=1&d=1324332259 2. Click on Save and save the .zip file to your desktop. 3. Open the downloaded .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) all of it's contents to your desktop. 4. Right click on the extracted Create a System Image.vbs file, click on Properties...

How to Open and Use Windows 7 Start Menu and Taskbar Jump Lists Jump Lists help you easily find and open the files and programs you use often. This will show you how to open and use the Start menu and taskbar Jump Lists in Windows 7. For more information about Jump Lists, see: Developing for the Windows 7 Taskbar - Jump into Jump Lists - Part 1 - Windows 7 for Developers - The Windows Blog Jump lists provide quick access to application features. Think of Jump Lists as a mini Start menu for the application. You can use Jump Lists on the taskbar and the Start menu to open your most frequently visited websites, recently opened files, and favorite programs with just one click. This helps eliminate the need to open the program and...

How to Create IExpress Wizard Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8 The IExpress Wizard will help you to create a self-extracting/self-installing package file. EXAMPLE: IExpress Wizard To Download "IExpress Wizard" Shortcut 1. Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below. IExpress_Wizard.zip http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=98299&stc=1&d=1284705168 2. Save the .zip file to your desktop. 3. Open the downloaded .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the IExpress Wizard shortcut to your desktop. 4. Unblock the IExpress Wizard shortcut. 5. In Windows 7, you can now Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to...