Windows tips - Updated 21.03.2006

[liqnit]

I think most of us use windows and sharing tips with each other can help us all.

Please post yours tips .

Windows Shortcuts

1) [Windows]+[Break] to bring up the System Properties dialog box.
2 ) [Windows]+[D] to minimize all to desktop
3 ) [Windows]+[E] to open a new Explorer window
4 ) [Windows]+[L] to lock computer
5 ) [Windows]+[F1] to load windows help
6 ) [Windows]+[F3] to Search current folder
7 ) [CTRL]+[SHIFT]+[ESC] to load Task Manager
8 ) [CTRL]+[ALT]+[DEL] to load control window
9 ) [Windows]+[R] to open command line

Usefull applications – faster bootup

1) BootVis by Microsoft – show you the time and resources that are being used in boot process and can pinpoint to the exact problem that causes slow boot up - http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/bootvis/
2) AutoRuns by Systernals - comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations any program lunching when your computer is starting is listed here. a must if you think your start up time is not as fast as it should be. http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html
3) ServiWin - ServiWin utility displays the list of installed drivers and services on your system a very easy look at what is woking in your computer - http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/serviwin.html

Applications - Tools
1) RegSeeker - A RegSeek application with a lot added features . http://www.hoverdesk.net/dl/en/RegSeeker.zip


Windows Update
AutoPAtcher will let you get all the updates in one place.
http://www.neowin.net/forum/?showforum=89

Windows Commands
Press [Windows]+[R] to open command line and enter the following command and press enter
1) diskmgmt.msc - run disk mangemnt
2) eventvwr.msc - event viewer
3) regedit - run the registry editor
4) gpedit.msc - group policy editor
5) fsmgmt.msc - shared folders managment
6) control userpasswords2 - load the classic user mangemnt console

Windows Explorer switches - thanks to Xjnine

"My Computer" highlighted in left side with all drives visible but not expanded and C: highlighted in right side: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/select,c:
Desktop highlighted and nothing expanded: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/n,/select,/root,c:
All drives visible and the system drive highlighted and expanded in full screen: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/select
All drives visible and the system drive expanded in small screen: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/select,%systemroot%
Only Windows Directory visible highlighted and expanded: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,%systemroot%
All drives visible but only C: highlighted and expanded: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,c:
Nothing expanded and My Computer highlighted in right side: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n,/e,/select,
Opens the Windows folder as a folder: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe %systemroot%
Opens as "My Computer": %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe %systemroot%,
This opens the Desktop folder with "My Computer" highlighted: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe %systemroot%,/select,
"Desktop" highlighted in the left side and no drives visible:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D},/select
"My Computer" highlighted in left side and all drives visible but none expanded:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
"Desktop" in left side highlighted and "My Computer" highlighted in right side and no drives visible:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/select,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}



Example : C:\windows\explorer.exe /Switches
[Windows]+[R] to open command line write in the line Explorer.exe /Switches

Useful links
Windows Update for NON IE users - From this page you can update your windows without IE: http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/

Recover from explorer crash
when windows explorer crash and all windows disappaer you can
press [CTRL]+[SHIFT]+[ESC] to load Task Manager
select file --> New Task --> enter "Explorer.exe"
press enter and windows is back to life.
you can run almost any command in that command line.

Windows XP Password Reset Disk

To create the disk

1.Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
2.Click your account name.
3.Under Related Tasks, click Prevent a forgotten password.
4.Follow the directions in the Forgotten Password Wizard to create a password reset disk.

to use it

1.Try to login to your account
2.Select use password reset disk
3.Do as the instructions on display

Fix Winndows BootUp problems - thanks sbrehm72255

The Rebuild command--technically a software "switch" used with XP's Bootcfg tool--automatically searches a hard drive for valid startup information and files, letting you choose the correct ones. This has the effect of removing and repairing any references to whatever invalid, missing, or corrupt startup information was preventing normal booting.

Usage :

• Boot from your XP Setup CD and enter the Recovery Console
• Run "Attrib -H -R -S" on the C:\Boot.ini file
• Delete the C:\Boot.ini file
• Run "Bootcfg /Rebuild"
• Run Fixboot

Thanks to vfrex 99 Windows XP Tweaks/Tips

From faster boot times, to speeding up your current hardware, PCstats has 99 Tips to make your computer run quicker, better, and more efficiently. - Version 1.0.0

[zachig]

Thanks, liqnit. I really liked those windows shortcuts. I already knew some of them but I wasn't familiar with them all. They can come really handy sometimes .

[liqnit]

glad to help

[tomato]

Some good tips you've got there, liqnit. I will put them to good use, thanks!

[liqnit]

Some good tips you've got there, liqnit. I will put them to good use, thanks! Wink

i'm currntly collecting some more and will add to the first message
as soon as i finish them.

[tomato]

Sounds good to me, liqnit! I am always looking for ways to improve my productivity on the computer!

[liqnit]

Thanks i will do my best not to disappoint anyone.
im making some more to add to the thread.
feel free to donate

[zachig]

It looks like those "faster bootup" applications are pretty useful.

I'll definitely give 'em a try. THX.

[liqnit]

thank a lot it is really important to me that people will use and enjoy the tips

[liqnit]

I just updated the tips take a look

[XJnine]

Some good ways to customize how windows explorer opens

Since the first days Windows Explorer appeared, the list of switches reproduced below has been floating around the internet. I'm not sure who was the first to assemble the list but here it is in its entirety. Play around with it and see if one of the views is what you're seeking. Just copy and paste the bold text into the Target line on the Property Sheet of Windows Explorer. If it's not what you expected you can always switch back to the default view by using C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe in the Target line.

"My Computer" highlighted in left side with all drives visible but not expanded and C: highlighted in right side: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/select,c:

Desktop highlighted and nothing expanded: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/n,/select,/root,c:

All drives visible and the system drive highlighted and expanded in full screen: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/select

All drives visible and the system drive expanded in small screen: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/select,%systemroot%

Only Windows Directory visible highlighted and expanded: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,%systemroot%

All drives visible but only C: highlighted and expanded: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,c:

Nothing expanded and My Computer highlighted in right side: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n,/e,/select,

Opens the Windows folder as a folder: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe %systemroot%

Opens as "My Computer": %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe %systemroot%,

This opens the Desktop folder with "My Computer" highlighted: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe %systemroot%,/select,

"Desktop" highlighted in the left side and no drives visible:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D},/select

"My Computer" highlighted in left side and all drives visible but none expanded:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

"Desktop" in left side highlighted and "My Computer" highlighted in right side and no drives visible:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/select,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Start Windows Explorer In The C Drive
In the Explorer property sheet use this path and switches in the target:

C:\windows\explorer.exe /n,/e,c:\

[zachig]

I found your tips very useful. Thanks, XJnine!!!

[shanewu]

stickied!

nice tips, guys!

[werty316]

I always wondered if that "windows" key actually did anything a few months ago I learned a few of them but "windows key+E" is the only one I use. Great list. Heres a huge list of all sorts of keyboard short cuts.

http://www.worldstart.com/guides/shortcuts.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm

[liqnit]

thanks for making it stickey :D
XJnine - thanks for the tips i will update the first post.
werty316 - thanks for the links .

keep them coming