Windows Desktop

You can use the Windows Key to speed up your working and productivity. Here are some common shortcuts.

WinKey+E = Open an Explorer window
WinKey+R = Open the Run dialog
WinKey+Pause = Open the System Properties
WinKey+F Find: = All Files
WinKey+Ctrl+F = Find: Computer
WinKey+M = Minimize all open windows
WinKey+D = Show/Hide Desktop
WinKey+Shift+M = Undo minimize all open windows
WinKey+Tab = Cycle through taskbar program buttons
WinKey+F1 = Open Windows Help


Screen Shots. (Windows)

You can get a screen shot in Windows at any time by hitting the Print Screen key. This will copy a bitmap of the full screen into the Windows clipboard. You can then paste this into ANY graphics or paint programme for editing. Hitting Alt + Print Screen captures the active window.

Read more »

Windows XP Tips

To clean the Windows Prefetch Directory. (Windows XP)

Windows XP prefetches programmes and keeps them available for Windows to use in the prefetch directory. This directory can become cluttered and have files from long gone programmes.

To clean the prefetch directory: Start | Run | Prefetch

Then select all the files (Ctrl A) and delete them - empty prefetch directory!

To run a program as a user without logging out then in again. (Windows XP)

You can run a program as a different user without logging out and then in again. First right click the icon of the program you wish to run, select Run As... and enter the user name and password. This will only apply for that run. Works well if you need to have administrative permissions to install a program, which many programs require.

Read more »

Increasing Disk Performance

Go to Start \ Settings \ Control Panel \ System \ Performance \ File System \ Troubleshooting

Check the box Disable synchronous buffer commits.

Read more »

Cleaning the TEMP Directory

One thing that is often overlooked, and can have a negative affect on your computer's performance,
are all the files that are in the TEMP directory. I've had quite a few people ready to get new computers until this was cleaned.

These are easy to clean and slightly different in Win9x and Windows2000 or WindowsXP

Windows98

Open up a DOS prompt

CD \windows\temp (make sure you are in that directory before running the next line.

Run deltree /y *.*

CD \windows

Run del *.tmp (be very careful of the spelling)

Windows2000 / WindowsXP

Go to C:\Documents and Settings\User_Name\Local Settings\Temp (where User_Name is replaced by the person who is logged in)

Delete all the files

Read more »

Increase NTFS performance

Last access time stamps

XP automatically updates the date and time stamp with information about the last time you accessed a file. Not only does it mark the file, but it also updates the directory the file is located in as well as any directories above it. If you have a large hard drive with many subdirectories on it, this updating can slow down your system.
To disable the updating, start the Registry Editor by selecting Run from the Start menu, typing regedit in the Open text box, and clicking OK. When the Registry Editor window opens, navigate through the left pane until you get to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\

Filesystem
In the right pane, look for the value named NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate. If the value exists, it's probably set to 0. To change the value, double-click it. You'll then see the Edit DWORD Value screen. Enter 1 in the Value Data
field and click OK.

If the value doesn't exist, you'll need to add it. Select New | DWORD Value from the Edit menu. The new value will appear in the right pane, prompting you for a value name. Type NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate and press [Enter]. Double-click the new value. You'll then see the Edit DWORD Value screen. Enter 1 in the Value Data field and click OK. When you're done, close Regedit. Your registry changes will be saved automatically. Reboot your
workstation.

The Master File Table
The Master File Table (MFT) keeps track of files on disks. This file logs all the files that are stored on a given disk, including an entry for the MFT itself. It works like an index of everything on the hard disk in much the same way that a phone book stores phone numbers.

NTFS keeps a section of each disk just for the MFT. This allows the MFT to grow as the contents of a disk change without becoming overly fragmented. This is because Windows NT didn't provide for the defragmentation of the MFT. Windows 2000 and Windows XP’s Disk Defragmenter will defragment the MFT only if there’s enough space on the hard drive to locate all of the MFT segments together in one location.
As the MFT file grows, it can become fragmented. Fortunately, you can control the initial size of the MFT by making a change in the registry. Making the MFT file larger prevents it from fragmenting but does so at the cost of storage space. For every kilobyte that NTFS uses for MFT, the less it has for data storage.

To limit the size of the MFT, start the Registry Editor by selecting Run from the Start menu, typing regedit in the Open text box, and clicking OK. When the Registry Editor window opens, navigate through the left pane until you get to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\
Filesystem

In the right pane, look for the value named NtfsMftZoneReservation. If the value doesn't exist, you'll need to add it. Select New | DWORD Value from the Edit menu. The new value will appear in the right pane, prompting you for a value name. Type NtfsMftZoneReservation and press [Enter]. Double-click the new value. You'll then see the Edit DWORD Value screen.

The default value for this key is 1. This is good for a drive that will contain relatively few large files. Other options include:

2—Medium file allocation
3—Larger file allocation
4—Maximum file allocation

To change the value, double-click it. When the Edit DWORD Value screen appears, enter the value you want and click OK. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't give any clear guidelines as to what distinguishes Medium from Larger and Maximum levels of files. Suffice it to say, if you plan to store lots of files on your workstation, you may want to consider a value of 3 or 4 instead of the default value of 1.

When you're done, close Regedit. Your registry changes will be saved automatically. Reboot your workstation. Unlike other registry changes, which take place immediately for maximum benefit, NtfsMftZoneReservation works best on freshly formatted hard drives. This is because XP will then create the MFT in one contiguous space. Otherwise, it will just modify the current size of the MFT, instantly fragmenting it. Therefore, it's best to use this if you plan to have one drive for data and another for applications.

Short filenames
Even though NTFS can support filenames with 256 characters in order to maintain backward compatibility with DOS and Windows 3.x workstations, Windows XP stores filenames in the old 8.3 file format as well as its native format. For example, if this article is named "Increase XP NTFS performance.doc," Windows XP will save this file under that filename as well as INCREA~1.DOC.

To change this in the registry, start the Registry Editor. When the Registry Editor window opens, navigate through the left pane until you get to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\
Filesystem

In the right pane, look for the value named NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation. If the value exists, it's probably set to 0. To change the value, double-click it. In the Edit DWORD Value screen, enter 1 in the Value Data field and click OK
.
If the value doesn't exist, you'll need to add it. Select New | DWORD Value from the Edit menu. The new value will appear in the right pane, prompting you for a value name. Type NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation and press [Enter]. Double-click the new value. You'll then see the Edit DWORD Value screen. Enter 1 in the Value Data field and click OK. When you're done, close Regedit. Your registry changes will be saved automatically. Reboot your workstation.

Other ways to speed drive access
There are other ways to speed drive access that aren't NTFS-specific. These include:

Caching—If your XP workstation has more than 256 MB of RAM, you might be able to increase hard drive access speeds by tweaking the amount of RAM cache that XP uses. For more information about how to do this, see the article "Squeeze more performance out of Windows XP with CachemanXP 1.1."

Striping—If you have more than one hard drive on your system, you can use XP's striping feature to have the file system store data across multiple drives. This feature works best with SCSI drives, but it can work with multiple ATA drives as well. You'll make the change using the Logical Disk Management service in the Computer Management utility.

Defragmenting—Even though NTFS is more resistant to fragmentation than FAT, it can and does still fragment. You can either use XP's built-in defragmenter or a third-party utility such as Diskeeper.
Disable Compression—Compressing files may save space on your workstation's hard drive, but compressing and decompressing files can slow down your system. With the relative low cost of hard drives today, investing in an additional hard drive is better than compressing files on a workstation.

Read more »

Windows programs quickly with Run Command

The run option of Start menu is used to run a program or to open a document directly. If you do not know the exact location of the program or document then click on Start button to open Run and type the programs shortcut name to open it directly.

Run Commands




appwiz.cpl -- Used to run Add/Remove wizard


Calc --Calculator


Cfgwiz32 --ISDN Configuration Wizard


Charmap --Character Map


Chkdisk --Repair damaged files


Cleanmgr --Cleans up hard drives


Clipbrd --Windows Clipboard viewer


Control --Displays Control Panel


Cmd --Opens a new Command Window


Control mouse --Used to control mouse properties


Dcomcnfg --DCOM user security


Debug --Assembly language programming tool


Defrag --Defragmentation tool


Drwatson --Records programs crash & snapshots


Dxdiag --DirectX Diagnostic Utility


Explorer --Windows Explorer



Fontview --Graphical font viewer


Fsmgmt.msc -- Used to open shared folders


Firewall.cpl -- Used to configure windows firewall


Ftp -ftp.exe program


Hostname --Returns Computer's name


Hdwwiz.cpl -- Used to run Add Hardware wizard


Ipconfig --Displays IP configuration for all network adapters


Logoff -- Used to logoff the computer


MMC --Microsoft Management Console


Msconfig --Configuration to edit startup files


Mstsc -- Used to access remote desktop


Mrc -- Malicious Software Removal Tool


Msinfo32 --Microsoft System Information Utility


Nbtstat --Displays stats and current connections using NetBIOS over TCP/IP


Netstat --Displays all active network connections


Nslookup--Returns your local DNS server


Osk ---Used to access on screen keyboard


Perfmon.msc -- Used to configure the performance of Monitor.


Ping --Sends data to a specified host/IP


Powercfg.cpl -- Used to configure power option


Regedit --Registry Editor


Regwiz -- Registration wizard


Sfc /scannow -- System File Checker


Sndrec32 --Sound Recorder


Shutdown -- Used to shutdown the windows


Spider -- Used to open spider solitaire card game


Sfc / scannow -- Used to run system file checker utility.


Sndvol32 --Volume control for soundcard


Sysedit -- Edit system startup files


Taskmgr --Task manager


Telephon.cpl -- Used to configure modem options.


Telnet --Telnet program


Tracert --Traces and displays all paths required to reach an internet host


Winchat -- Used to chat with Microsoft


Wmplayer -- Used to run Windows Media player






Wab -- Used to open Windows address Book.
#

WinWord -- Used to open Microsoft word
#

Winipcfg --Displays IP configuration
#

Winver -- Used to check Windows Version
#

Wupdmgr --Takes you to Microsoft Windows Update
#

Write -- Used to open WordPad

Read more »

Browsing and Downloading speed in Windows Vista

With windows Vista you have noticed the slow internet speed. The web browsing and downloading speed is very slow as compare to previous versions of windows. You can open the same sites in windows XP and server 2003 with the normal speed.

Follow the given steps to increase the Vista browsing speed:

First go to Advance tab in Internet Explorer and turn off the TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption option. Here to fix problem with some secure pages turn on the SSL 2.0 (Secure Sockets Layer) feature and click Ok button to close it.





In windows Vista, the TCP autotuning feature is enabled by default. Some web servers do not respond properly to this feature, so it appears that some sites open with very slow speed.

To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

First click on Start button and type CMD in Run option then press Enter.

At Command Prompt, type the following command and press enter.

netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel= disabled

This command will disable the TCP autotuning feature. Now close the command Prompt and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

You can easily restore these setting by typing the following command at Command Prompt.

netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel= normal
Now close the command Prompt and again restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

Read more »

CD-ROM Cleaning Tips

If your CD drive creating problem to read CD disc, taking time to read and showing message there is no disc in the drive. These are the symptoms of dirty or weak CD-drive lens, because dirty lens can create errors in reading or writing and soon will not work at all.

Follow the given steps to care and clean a CD-Drive.

First make sure your discs are clean, unscratched and you’re loaded it properly.


Always use laser lens cleaner to clean drive lens.


Insert the laser lens cleaner disc and play it for 2 to 3 min.

Using CD drive cleaner properly clean the CD-ROM laser from dust. If your drive still creating problem then open it and clean the lens with a cotton swab.

Read more »

Windows Hot shortcut keys

Win Press windows key to open start menu

Win+R Apply to open Run dialog box

Win+M Apply to minimize all opened windows

Win+Shift+M Apply to maximize all opened windows

Win+L Press keys to lock keyboard in windows XP

Win+E Press keys to open My Computer

Win+F Apply to open search options

Win+U Apply keys to open Utility Manager

Win+D To view desktop/minimize all windows page

Win+F1 To view the detail windows help

Win+Pause To view the System Properties dialog box

Win+Tab Move through taskbar programs

Win+F+Ctrl Apply to open search for computers

Alt+Tab Move through opened windows programs

Alt+F4 Press keys to close active windows program

Alt+Enter Apply to open properties of selected item

Alt+ SPACEBAR Open the system menu of active window

Alt+ SPACEBAR +N Press keys to minimize the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR +R Press keys to restore the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR+C Press keys to close the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR+X Press keys to maximize the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR+M Press keys to move the active program

Ctrl+Alt+Delete Apply to open windows task manager

Ctrl+Shift+Esc Apply to open windows task manager

Ctrl+Esc Press keys to open start menu

Shift Shift key to prevent CD from automatically playing

Shift+Delete To delete items permanently

Read more »