Several questions

[Bellzemos]

Hi, I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 installed on my Sony VAIO F series laptop and would like to ask you some questions:

1. I have an application calleds Intel rapid storage technology installed and running in the background but I don't know if it does anything else except eating my system resources. What is it for, what does it do?

2. I would like to use Windows 7's outbound firewall protection too but don't know how to set it. Is there a simple way to do it? Or am I safe enought with the default setting (only inbound protection enabled)?

3. I don't like the new search tool in Windows 7, I'm used to the one from XP. Is there any good search program that you recommend? I've only heard for the one called "Everything" - is it good?

4. My Recycle Bin size is set by default, the volume C:\ has about 6 GB reserved for the Recycle Bin and local disk D:\ has about 20 GB reserved. What does that mean rally? Example: if I delete a file (or files) from my C:\ disk which exceed 6 GB, will they be saved to the recycle been or will they be permanently deleted? Should I set a higher number (more space) for my C:\ disk in the Recycle Bin?

5. And now some Windows Explorer questions:

5a. Is there a simple way to enable access to all the folders? In XP I could access all the folders I wanted (except for the System Volume Information folder), now I can't access some folders. So, is there a simple way to change that?

5b. When I click on my E:\ (optical drive) when there's no CD/DVD in Windows displays me an Insert Disc notification TWICE. So when I click on cancel it's there again, the second time it disappears then. How to fix that? That behavior occured when I changed some settings for Windows Explorer, but I don't know which one exactly.

5c. How can I set a different "start position" for Windows Explorer? So that instead of displaying me Libraries when I start the Explorer it would show me the C:\ disk instead? I know that was possible in XP but don't know how to set it in 7. Is there a way to get rid of the Libraries folder alltogether?

5d. Is there a way to get rid of the "Unspecified" when I open a folder? I don't need this signs telling me the contents of my folders.

That's all I can think of for now... Thank you very much for help in advance!

 

[Mike Connor]

Hi, I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 installed on my Sony VAIO F series laptop and would like to ask you some questions:

1. I have an application calleds Intel rapid storage technology installed and running in the background but I don't know if it does anything else except eating my system resources. What is it for, what does it do?

If you don't need it you can just uninstall it. Information ; http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=18859

2. I would like to use Windows 7's outbound firewall protection too but don't know how to set it. Is there a simple way to do it? Or am I safe enought with the default setting (only inbound protection enabled)?

The default settings are adequate, especially if you are behind a router firewall. Setting up the Firewall for outbound connections;

Click Start, type wf.msc into the Search box,hit <Enter> = Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Click Action > Properties and you'll be brought to a screen from which you can enable outbound filtering. You need to know the technical ins and outs in order to be able to set this up properly. If you are not sure, then leave it alone.

​

You can use an application like this to help you control the windows firewall; http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/order.html


3. I don't like the new search tool in Windows 7, I'm used to the one from XP. Is there any good search program that you recommend? I've only heard for the one called "Everything" - is it good?

Yes, it is very good. See also; http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/154676-search-folder.html

4. My Recycle Bin size is set by default, the volume C:\ has about 6 GB reserved for the Recycle Bin and local disk D:\ has about 20 GB reserved. What does that mean rally? Example: if I delete a file (or files) from my C:\ disk which exceed 6 GB, will they be saved to the recycle been or will they be permanently deleted? Should I set a higher number (more space) for my C:\ disk in the Recycle Bin?

Files too large for the recycle bin will be permanently deleted. You will be asked for confirmation before deletion, as long as you have the confirmation dialog enabled.

5. And now some Windows Explorer questions:

5a. Is there a simple way to enable access to all the folders? In XP I could access all the folders I wanted (except for the System Volume Information folder), now I can't access some folders. So, is there a simple way to change that?

You can use a third party explorer alternative like Explorer++ or Q-Dir, which do not have the same restrictions as explorer. The limited access is designed as a safety measure to prevent you deleting or altering system files etc.

This also depends on various permissions.

5b. When I click on my E:\ (optical drive) when there's no CD/DVD in Windows displays me an Insert Disc notification TWICE. So when I click on cancel it's there again, the second time it disappears then. How to fix that? That behavior occured when I changed some settings for Windows Explorer, but I don't know which one exactly.

Have to check that before I can answer.

5c. How can I set a different "start position" for Windows Explorer? So that instead of displaying me Libraries when I start the Explorer it would show me the C:\ disk instead? I know that was possible in XP but don't know how to set it in 7. Is there a way to get rid of the Libraries folder alltogether?

You can change the explorer default target by right clicking on "Explorer", choose "properties" enter %windir%\explorer.exe /n, /e, d:\

You can disable the library function, and you can hide the folders. There are tutorials here on how to do that. Tutorials - Windows 7 Forums http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/154607-how-hide-main-folders-treeview.html

5d. Is there a way to get rid of the "Unspecified" when I open a folder? I don't need this signs telling me the contents of my folders.

Don't know what you want to do here.

That's all I can think of for now... Thank you very much for help in advance!

If you want more of an XP-Style experience, then get this; http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[ignatzatsonic]

1. I have an application calleds Intel rapid storage technology



3. I've only heard for the one called "Everything" - is it good?

4. Example: if I delete a file (or files) from my C:\ disk which exceed 6 GB, will they be saved to the recycle been or will they be permanently deleted? Should I set a higher number (more space) for my C:\ disk in the Recycle Bin?


5a. Is there a simple way to enable access to all the folders?



5c. How can I set a different "start position" for Windows Explorer?

7. Is there a way to get rid of the Libraries folder alltogether?



That's all I can think of for now... Thank you very much for help in advance!

1: I think it has to do with RAID, which I assume you don't use. I doubt if you need it otherwise, but I'd wait for confirmation.

3: Everything is fantastic and near instantaneous. The only shortcoming: it does not search file contents---only file names.

4: If your recycle bin is "too small" and you attempt to delete a large file, you will get an onscreen message saying the file won't fit and you will be given the opportunity to delete it anyway. If you enlarge the recycle bin, you avoid that message.

5a: Are you aware of how to view hidden and system files through tools/folder options?

5c:The following works in Windows 7.

Right click explorer icon on taskbar, then right click explorer in the jumplist and choose properties. Enter this string in the target box to force explorer to open in the root of C:

%windir%\explorer.exe /e, root,c:\

7: Yes

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/35627-libraries-folder-add-remove-navigation-pane.html?ltr=L

 

[Bellzemos]

Thank you both very much for helping me! I already have the Classic Shell installed and really love it. Here's more from me:

1. I won't uninstall it, I'll just disable this application's startup in CCleaner and see if everything will still work fine.

2. I will leave the Windows Firewall as it is - I hope that the inbound protection is enough.

3. I will install Everything for searching files and folders.

4. When I delete a file I'm always asked for a confirmation before it goes to the Recycle Bin. So, if I'll delete a file (or set of files) bigger than the Recycle Bin iself, will I be prompred again (twice alltogether) before the file(s) will be permanently deleted?

5a. I've changed the ownership settings on both my drives (C:\ and D:\), including subfolders and now I can access every folder (even the System Volume Information folder). Is that safe, I mean, have I lessened the security on my PC with that change?

5b. After making some changes to Windows Explorer (start path and hidding Libraries, Favorites etc.) this now appears three times! What should I do to make it only appear one time (when there's no disc in the optical drive)? This is a really weird bug.

5c. Got that all done, very happy with the result (except for the behaviour described in the 5b section in this post).

5d. Here's what I meant - how do I get rid of this (in the red frame):

And an additional question:
6. It's about the Notepad. In XP I could copy a web link and paste it in the Notepad and later mark it by clicking twice on it. Now, when I try to do that in Windows 7 Notepad it only marks some part of the link (untill a question mark or a minus). Is it possible to set this to work as it works in the XP Notepad - and how?

THANK YOU!

 

[Mike Connor]

Thank you both very much for helping me! I already have the Classic Shell installed and really love it. Here's more from me:

1. I won't uninstall it, I'll just disable this application's startup in CCleaner and see if everything will still work fine.

If you don't use it, then you don't need it, just a waste of space, and resources if it is running. You can disable or remove it, whatever suits you.

2. I will leave the Windows Firewall as it is - I hope that the inbound protection is enough.

It usually is. For a rogue program to send stuff OUT, it first has to get IN. The firewall and your anti-virus program should prevent that. Along with careful operating practices of course, and with particular attention to e-mail.

3. I will install Everything for searching files and folders.

4. When I delete a file I'm always asked for a confirmation before it goes to the Recycle Bin. So, if I'll delete a file (or set of files) bigger than the Recycle Bin iself, will I be prompred again (twice alltogether) before the file(s) will be permanently deleted?

No, you will only be asked once.

5a. I've changed the ownership settings on both my drives (C:\ and D:\), including subfolders and now I can access every folder (even the System Volume Information folder). Is that safe, I mean, have I lessened the security on my PC with that change?

No, it's not safe at all, and it can be very difficult to get it back to default without causing other problems. You will just have to be very careful. Eventually you will have to do a reinstall. Make sure you keep good regular backups. In future, only alter default settings when you know it is safe to do so. If not sure, then ask. There is normally no advantage in having ownership of everything.

5b. After making some changes to Windows Explorer (start path and hidding Libraries, Favorites etc.) this now appears three times! What should I do to make it only appear one time (when there's no disc in the optical drive)? This is a really weird bug.

What appears three times?

5c. Got that all done, very happy with the result (except for the behaviour described in the 5b section in this post).

5d. Here's what I meant - how do I get rid of this (in the red frame):

You have set Explorer to "Group By". Change this setting.

And an additional question:
6. It's about the Notepad. In XP I could copy a web link and paste it in the Notepad and later mark it by clicking twice on it. Now, when I try to do that in Windows 7 Notepad it only marks some part of the link (untill a question mark or a minus). Is it possible to set this to work as it works in the XP Notepad - and how?

Yes, you can get it to work, but it's too much messing about. What are you trying to do exactly? Copy a link so that you can click on it later and go to the website?

It's much better to specify what you want to achieve, and you will then get targeted advice. If you describe what you are doing now, or used to do, and then say it doesn't work, nobody really knows what to tell you.

Although I don't mind answering like this, it is not a good idea to ask all these questions in a single post. It makes it very hard for people to follow, it is also a lot harder to answer, takes longer, results in long involved posts, and will put people off from answering who might otherwise give you valuable advice and input. Also it is more or less impossible to classify the thread regarding subject matter, and people who are searching for answers on these matters wont be able to find them very easily.It would be better if you only asked one or two things at a time. Use a separate thread for each subject, and have a look first yourself, the answers might well already be here somewhere.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[gregrocker]

I would google the exact services.msc name for the intel storage component as on a laptop it may be the app which parks the HD reader to avoid damage when transporting the laptop. Likewise there may be a battery tender service which you should keep running as it may monitor the battery more closely than Win7's built-in power options do.

These often make themselves apparent on a clean reinstall because they have drivers which need importing from the model's Support Downloads webpage.

Other than those, I would uninstall any factory bloatware AV and install a lean AV like MS Security Essentials or Avast 5 to run with the Win7 Firewall which can be tuned on in Control Panel.

Other tips to Clean up factory bloatware

 

[Bellzemos]

Thank you so much for help man! So:

4. Hm, is it OK to reserve more space for the Recycle Bin then or is this a bad idea? Could this slow down my system in any way?

5a. What is so unsafe about this? I mean, I understand that it's not safe because I can delete some important files by accident - I understand that risk. But is there anything else? I really don't want to make an reinstall! Should I change those settings back? Please help!

5b. This appears three times:

When I click cancel it's there again. It appeared twice before but now (after some more Windows Explorer customization) it appears three times before it dissapears (I have to click cancel three times).

5d. How?

6. Yes, I want to copy a link so that I can click on it later and go to the website. How can I set the Notepad this way?

I'm sorry that I posted so much in one post, it's simply because there's a lot of stuff I have difficoulties with in Windows 7. I really appreciate your help, thank you.

 

[Shootist]

Thank you both very much for helping me! I already have the Classic Shell installed and really love it. Here's more from me:

1. I won't uninstall it, I'll just disable this application's startup in CCleaner and see if everything will still work fine.

2. I will leave the Windows Firewall as it is - I hope that the inbound protection is enough.

3. I will install Everything for searching files and folders.

4. When I delete a file I'm always asked for a confirmation before it goes to the Recycle Bin. So, if I'll delete a file (or set of files) bigger than the Recycle Bin iself, will I be prompred again (twice alltogether) before the file(s) will be permanently deleted?

5a. I've changed the ownership settings on both my drives (C:\ and D:\), including subfolders and now I can access every folder (even the System Volume Information folder). Is that safe, I mean, have I lessened the security on my PC with that change?

5b. After making some changes to Windows Explorer (start path and hidding Libraries, Favorites etc.) this now appears three times! What should I do to make it only appear one time (when there's no disc in the optical drive)? This is a really weird bug.

5c. Got that all done, very happy with the result (except for the behaviour described in the 5b section in this post).

5d. Here's what I meant - how do I get rid of this (in the red frame):

And an additional question:
6. It's about the Notepad. In XP I could copy a web link and paste it in the Notepad and later mark it by clicking twice on it. Now, when I try to do that in Windows 7 Notepad it only marks some part of the link (untill a question mark or a minus). Is it possible to set this to work as it works in the XP Notepad - and how?

THANK YOU!

Not sure how you got to the System Volume Information folder without getting a Access Denied prompt. Did you by chance change the permissions on the ROOT of the C drive and all child objects? That is not a good thing to do in Win 7. I found this out on my first go round with 7.
Or maybe you just changed the permissions on that folder?

 

[Mike Connor]

Thank you so much for help man! So:

4. Hm, is it OK to reserve more space for the Recycle Bin then or is this a bad idea? Could this slow down my system in any way?

You can reserve more space for the recycle bin if you want, it normally makes no difference to system speed. It reduces the amount of available space on your drive if you fill it up with deleted files.

5a. What is so unsafe about this? I mean, I understand that it's not safe because I can delete some important files by accident - I understand that risk. But is there anything else? I really don't want to make an reinstall! Should I change those settings back? Please help!

It is a generally unsafe practice because it overrides all the system safety measures. You will almost certainly have problems if you try to set it back to what it was. Leave the settings as they are, but be very careful, and expect problems.

5b. This appears three times:

When I click cancel it's there again. It appeared twice before but now (after some more Windows Explorer customization) it appears three times before it dissapears (I have to click cancel three times).

That depends on various things. The simple answer is "Don't click on empty drives". You can also set explorer not to show empty drives so that you can't click on them by accident. You can also use a utility that shows you whether a disc is present in a drive, and only click on it when one is. Finally, how often the message appears depends on various things, the reaction speed of the drive and system, how often you clicked etc.

5d. How?

How what? I am not going to go back and read all your previous posts every time in order to find out what you mean, and I don't think many others will either.

6. Yes, I want to copy a link so that I can click on it later and go to the website. How can I set the Notepad this way?

What browser do you use?

I'm sorry that I posted so much in one post, it's simply because there's a lot of stuff I have difficoulties with in Windows 7. I really appreciate your help, thank you.

No need to be sorry. But start posting one or two questions at a time.

We are all here to help, that's what the forum is about, but you have to help us to help you.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[gregrocker]

BD-ROM is Blu-Ray drive.

Try uninstalling it in Device Manager.

Then update the driver from the computer or Device manufacturer's Support Downloads webpage.

If you don't have Blu-Ray it can also be created by drive emulation software such as Daemon Tools. Uninstall and see if it goes away.

 

[Bellzemos]

Thank you all...

5a. What kind of problems should I expect now (after changing the ownership to Adminitrators)? If I'll have real trouble then I better reinstall Windows I guess?

5b. This message (no disc in the drive) was only displayed once when I first installed Windows. Then twice when I changed some settings. And now three times - I think it's a Windows 7 bug of some sort.

5d. How do I change the setting "Group By" in Windows Explorer?

6. I use Firefox (I would like to change the Notepad's behaviour).

7. I remembered one more question: why are some programs in the taskbar almost always coloured red (Winamp for example), it's distracting for no reason. Could this be changed to?

 

[Mike Connor]

Thank you all...

5a. What kind of problems should I expect now (after changing the ownership to Adminitrators)? If I'll have real trouble then I better reinstall Windows I guess?

That's difficult to say, but any problems you do get are probably related.

If it is not all that difficult for you to reinstall, then I would advise you to do it.

5b. This message (no disc in the drive) was only displayed once when I first installed Windows. Then twice when I changed some settings. And now three times - I think it's a Windows 7 bug of some sort.

Hmm........I have no sensible answer to that.

5d. How do I change the setting "Group By" in Windows Explorer?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3952-file-folder-arrangement-group-sort-stack.html

6. I use Firefox (I would like to change the Notepad's behaviour).

OK, get this addon;

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/stf/ this will automatically save any text you mark on the net to wherever you want it ,when you open the context ( Right-Click) menu and click "save selected text".

If you copy URL's ( Universal Resource Locator) and the program you use supports them, then you can simply click on them.

You can also copy direct to notepad etc.


7. I remembered one more question: why are some programs in the taskbar almost always coloured red (Winamp for example), it's distracting for no reason. Could this be changed to?[/QUOTE]

I have no idea. I suppose it depends on the theme you use and the program. But I don't know.

None of mine are red.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[MacGyvr]

The advice you've received about changing the folder permissions is good. You need to reinstall. Many of the folders you have changed are not folders at all, but junction points that are simply pointers to real folders. Having changed these causes potentially disastrous results.

You *might* be able to do a system restore to a point before you made the changes and not have to reinstall, but regardless of how you do it, those changes need to be undone.

 

[Bellzemos]

Hello again! Thank you all for helping me, especially you Mike! I still need some help regarding my "points" from previous posts:

5a. I reinstalled Windows 7 as you suggested, I think it was the right thing to do (I already started seeing problems with Windows Explorer). I will never do that again. But I still wonder if there is a SAFE way to be able to take a look in all the folders on a HDD (as it was possible with XP).

5b. The re-appearing missind CD/DVD message is a Classic Shell issue, I notified the C.S. author and he said he will take a look into it. Other than that I must say that I really like C.S., it's a great tool.

5d. This got solved by itself when I reinstalled Windows.

6. Thank you for the suggestion, but I don't want a Firefox addon. I would like to change the Notepad's behaviour so that it would do as the XP Notepad did - if that is possible. "Click-marking" works fine in Firefox still, only the Win7 Notepad doesn't want to mark a whole line (it stops at a "-" and "?" marks). Is that changeable?

7. The minimized programs in the task bar become red if I hoover with mouse over them (but not all) and sometimes they become red even if they are in the background. It can get annoying. Can this be disabled? I use the Windows 7 Basic theme.

8. I have another question regarding the my older questions (on how to hide Libraries etc. from the Explorer): is there a tool/program that would safely and properly edit that in the Win7 registry so that I don't have to do it manually?

9. And one more: Is it OK/safe to turn off Win7 UAC settings? I've set it to Never notify because I was bothered with constant popups.

Sorry for a long post, I hope you can help me again. Thank you very much!

 

[Mike Connor]

Hello again! Thank you all for helping me, especially you Mike! I still need some help regarding my "points" from previous posts:

5a. I reinstalled Windows 7 as you suggested, I think it was the right thing to do (I already started seeing problems with Windows Explorer). I will never do that again. But I still wonder if there is a SAFE way to be able to take a look in all the folders on a HDD (as it was possible with XP).

Folders that deny access on your system drive are not folders as such, they are junction points, they do not contain any files, they only contain links to where your data is stored, and if you mess around with them you will kill your system.

5b. The re-appearing missind CD/DVD message is a Classic Shell issue, I notified the C.S. author and he said he will take a look into it. Other than that I must say that I really like C.S., it's a great tool.


Good. I like it too.


5d. This got solved by itself when I reinstalled Windows.

Good, ( Even if I don't know what you are referring to!).

6. Thank you for the suggestion, but I don't want a Firefox addon. I would like to change the Notepad's behaviour so that it would do as the XP Notepad did - if that is possible. "Click-marking" works fine in Firefox still, only the Win7 Notepad doesn't want to mark a whole line (it stops at a "-" and "?" marks). Is that changeable?

Post another thread asking how to do it.

7. The minimized programs in the task bar become red if I hoover with mouse over them (but not all) and sometimes they become red even if they are in the background. It can get annoying. Can this be disabled? I use the Windows 7 Basic theme.

Yes, post another thread asking how to do it.

8. I have another question regarding the my older questions (on how to hide Libraries etc. from the Explorer): is there a tool/program that would safely and properly edit that in the Win7 registry so that I don't have to do it manually?

There are no safe ways to play around with the registry, the slightest mistake can kill your system. If you want to know how to do things like that, then post another thread asking how to do it.

9. And one more: Is it OK/safe to turn off Win7 UAC settings? I've set it to Never notify because I was bothered with constant popups.

No, it is not safe. If you turn off UAC ( User Account Control ) then you disable a very important system security feature.

Sorry for a long post, I hope you can help me again. Thank you very much!

As I already told you, if you post sensibly there is no need to be sorry. If you keep on doing what you have been expressly asked not to do, then you are not sorry, and eventually nobody will help you. If you make it unnecessarily difficult for people to help you, then they simply wont even try.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[Shootist]

5a. I reinstalled Windows 7 as you suggested, I think it was the right thing to do (I already started seeing problems with Windows Explorer). I will never do that again. But I still wonder if there is a SAFE way to be able to take a look in all the folders on a HDD (as it was possible with XP).

Yes there is a way to SEE all the folders on your HDD. But there is no good way to SEE INSIDE some of them.
Some of them are what Mike has stated, Junction points. They are not REAL folders. They are hard shortcuts to other folders for backward compatibility with older programs.

Just add your user name to the security section of the C drive and grant it FULL rights but do not take ownership or change permissions for other users (System/Administrators).
Then in folder options (Control Panel or Tools Folder Option in Win Explorer) check or uncheck the option to show all files & folders, don't hide files & folder and so on.

On all other drives in your system, whether partitions or physical drives, you can do basically anything you want. It just the system drive that you have to watch out for.


5b. The re-appearing missind CD/DVD message is a Classic Shell issue, I notified the C.S. author and he said he will take a look into it. Other than that I must say that I really like C.S., it's a great tool.

I've been using C S since I started using Win 7 (don't know what I would do without it) and have never seen this happen. But then I don't have a Blu-Ray drive.

 

[logicearth]

5a. Is there a simple way to enable access to all the folders? In XP I could access all the folders I wanted (except for the System Volume Information folder), now I can't access some folders. So, is there a simple way to change that?

You have access to everything on Windows 7 as well. Those directory where you get "Access Denied" are not actually directories. They are junctions and you should leave them alone. See the links in my signature.

 

[Bellzemos]

@ logicearth - I've read the two links you have in your signature and can now understand it a little clearer. Those non-accessible folders I see in the Explorer are some kind of shortcuts, provided for the older programs. I think I'll settle with that and leave them alone.


@ Shootist - Thank you for the explanation. But I've decided to leave those folders alone. I don't want to mess with the OS anymore. About the C.S.: set the auto navigate to folders function to "always" and then try accessing an empty drive.


@ Mike Connor - Thank you for all your help.
5d. I was referring to Group by / Sort by settings in W. Explorer.
6., 7., 8. I will post new separate threads as you suggested.
9. If I turn off UAC, is it then like as if I would still be using Windows XP (security wise)?

 

[Mike Connor]

9. If I turn off UAC, is it then like as if I would still be using Windows XP (security wise)?

It is not possible to compare Windows XP to Windows 7 in any meaningful way with regard to their security systems, and with regard to many other things. They are completely different systems.

If you turn off User Account Control in Windows 7, then you are disabling an important system security feature.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[Bellzemos]

I see. Well, I've set it off and will leave it like that. I have an antivirus and a sandboxing program and I don't think I need UAC. It annoys too much. Thank you.