Category Archives: Windows 7

20 Windows 7 Shortcut Keys

From Desktop

  1. Windows Key + Tab = Aero [press Tab to cycle between Windows]
  2. Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer is launched.
  3. Windows Key + R = Run Command is launched.
  4. Windows Key + F = Search (which is there in previous Windows versions too)
  5. Windows Key + X = Mobility Center
  6. Windows Key + L = Lock Computer (It is there from the earlier versions as well)
  7. Windows Key + U = Ease of Access
  8. Windows Key + P = Projector
  9. Windows Key + T = Cycle Super Taskbar Items
  10. Windows Key + S = OneNote Screen Clipping Tool [requires OneNote]
  11. Windows Key + M = Minimize All Windows
  12. Windows Key + D = Show/Hide Desktop
  13. Windows Key + Up = Maximize Current Window
  14. Windows Key + Down = Restore Down / Minimize Current Windows
  15. Windows Key + Left = Tile Current Window to the Left
  16. Windows Key + Right = Tile Current Windows to the Right
    [Continue pressing the Left and Right keys to rotate the window as well]
  17. Windows Key + # = Quicklaunch
  18. Windows Key + = = Magnifier

From Windows Explorer

19. Alt + Up = Go up one level
20. Alt + Left/ Right = Back/ Forward

Windows 7 Upgrade Offer Information

If you purchase or have purchased Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate betwee 26 June 2009 and 31 January 2010, you are eligible for an upgrade to Windows 7.
 
All the FAQs on this can be found here – https://windows7upgradeoption.com/Faq.aspx
 
Furthermore, if you have purchased a branded computer from one of the following vendors, you can get the upgrade offer directly from the manufacturer.
 
Dell – https://win7.dell.com/Eligibility.aspx (only up to 31 Dec 2009)
 

Daylight Savings for Western Australia 2009

… is not happening.
 
Therefore, a hotfix has been released to deal with this issue. This is an out of band update, and should be applied to all systems used by WA users.
 
The Daylight Savings Planning Guide (September 2009) can be found here – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/bb821275.aspx
 
The hotfix (KB974176) can be obtained here – http://support.microsoft.com/kb/974176
 

Remove User Profile in Vista

**Note this also works for Windows 7**
If you need to delete a user profile in Vista to clear some issues, there is an added step.
1. Delete or rename the user profile in C:\Users. If you were logged in to this user, you may need to reboot your PC and log in using another administrator level account.
2. In the registry, go to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Pofiles List. Expand the key and search for the username. Delete the GUID key, which will normally contain a .BAK at the end.
If the second step is not done, you will end up logging on to the system with a temporary profile.

Windows 7 and IPv6

I’ve been having issues with my Windows 7 RC test PC over the past two weeks. Every day or two, Internet connectivity would stop and the PC would requirea reboot. Symptoms were unusual.
1. Some websites worked, while others wouldn’t.
2. In a command prompt, ping would not work, with the name not being resolved.
3. However, NSLOOKUP would work fine, and return a valid answer.
4. TRACERT would not work, since PING didn’t work.
5. The Network Sharing Centre would report that there was Internet Access.
 
After fiddling around, I realised that the IPv6 DNS was taking preceedence. I checked the SBS2008 server DNS and everything appeared to work properly.
Finally, I turned off all IPv6 services, and suddenly, Internet Connectivity was restored.
 
Interesting?

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 7

UPDATE [8 APR 2011]: The RSAT Tools for Windows 7 SP1 has been released and can be downloaded here – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=7d2f6ad7-656b-4313-a005-4e344e43997d
 
One of the most useful tools for administering a server from your desktop is the RSAT toolset, which are available via the MMC console. With these components, you can administer the AD, and various other components of the Server Manager Console via the workstation.
 
In Windows7, you have to install the RSAT tools to accomplish this task. KB974877 describes the tools, and provides a download link:
 
Once the tool has been installed, you need to enable them via the control panel, Programs and Features, Turn Windows features on or off.
 
Then, pick and choose the features you need.

 

Windows 7 RC is here

Windows 7 RC has been released. Check out the latest news and updates here – http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
 
I am currently running this on a basic Intel Core2Duo E4600, 2GB RAM, and 160GB hard drive, with a dual screen setup. So far, everything is running well, and much faster than my previous trusty old Core2Duo E6600, 2GB RAM running Windows XP Pro.
 
The system joined to the SBS2008 domain without problems. Three vendors are testing their AV offerings. I have installed the Kapersky public beta.
The look is clean, and there have been some nice cosmetic and functional changes.
 
More to come…

Using Dual Monitors in Terminal Services with Remote Desktop

How to obtain dual monitor mode within Terminal Services when connecting with Remote Desktop.
 
The prerequisites are Remote Desktop Connection client version 6.0 or higher. Windows XP and 2003 users can obtain the client here – http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6E1EC93D-BDBD-4983-92F7-479E088570AD&displaylang=en
Windows Vista and 2008 user already have this version.
 
Obviously, you would already have two or more monitors. Some rules are:
  • The monitors must be the same resolution
  • The total resolution must not exceed 4096 x 2048
  • The top left monitor must be primary
  • The monitors must be horizontally oriented

From the start menu, open a Run dialog. Type in mstsc /span /v:servername

Optionally, you can also use the /w:HorizontalResInPixels /h:VerticalResInPixels switches.

 

Trend Micro Worry Free message “To complete the installation, restart the computer” does not go away

After installing Trend Micro’s Worry Free Business Security version 5.0 or later, the following message comes up on the workstations. After clicking on the “Install drive and restart the computer” button, the system restarts, and this message keeps reappearing.
 
 
The solution is on Trend Micro’s knowledge base, but it is a bit difficult to find. http://esupport.trendmicro.com/Pages/To-complete-the-installation-restart-the-computer-always-appears-when.aspx
 
   1. Stop Cryptographic Services.
   2. Go to the C:\Windows\system32\catroot2 subfolder and rename it as “oldcatroot2”.
   3. Start Cryptographic Services.
   4. Open a command prompt and run the following commands:
      a. regsvr32 wintrust.dll – This registers Microsoft Trust Verification.
      b. regsvr32 netcfgx.dll – This registers Network Configuration Objects.
   5. Restart your computer.
 
There is a bit more information there, detailing the problem.

Disable DEP to install some pesky applications/drivers

I decided to wipe out my ACER laptop and rebuild it with Vista Business 64bit SP1. All went well and all the applications and back and running.

I suddenly realised that an integral part of my set up was to be able to use my Vodafone 3G mobile card. I downloaded the latest software off the Vodafone site. Then I plugged in the modem. Got a BSOD immediately. After the reboot, the modem appeared to be installed, but I could not get connected to the Vodafone network. I kept getting a RAS Error Code 633. Vodafone support was unable to help (Get your support guys up to date PLEASE! “It should work with Vista” is not a helpful response).

Anyway, after some searching, I discovered some discussion on Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in relation to installing the device. After uninstalling the Vodafone software and drivers, I disabled DEP with the following command.

bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff

Then I installed the Vodafone software, rebooted, and plugged the modem in. No BSOD. Got the pleasant “Your device installed successfully” message.
Then I tested and was able to connect to the Vodafone network.

Rebooted once more, and then I re-enabled DEP.

bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOn

Tested the connection again. All OK 🙂

Word of WARNING: Do not disable DEP to install drivers unless you are sure the drivers are safe. Also, make sure you have a backup, unless you are prepared to lose data.