Sunday, April 29, 2007

Disable all Balloon tips in Windows

I always felt it wary about those balloon tips in Windows task bar for
'low disk space', 'new hardware', etc.

disable balloon tips

disable balloon tips

The following small registry tweak can disable these balloon tips:

Go to following registry key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer\Advanced

and then in right pane search for entry 'EnableBalloonTips' and if it is
not present then add the DWORD entry and name it as ' EnableBalloonTips'.

Once this is done then add the value to it as '0' (zero in number).

If you want to enable it again than change the value to '1'.

Remember the key and entry names are Case Sensitive.

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Saturday, April 28, 2007

Add Google Search in your browser address bar

One can now easily Google search for any term using the browser's
address bar, and the search results will be displayed to you in
the Google's page.

The following small registry tweak can do this for you;

Go to following registry path
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchUrl

sometimes the 'SearchUrl' key might not be present, in that case add
it as sub-key under 'Internet Explorer'.

Now in right pane for above key 'SeacrhUrl', change the default value to

http://www.google.com/search?q=%s

press F5 to refresh registry and then exit.
For this tweak to work you might need to close all the browsers and
open again.

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Browse any Website in Text only mode

Last time when I was surfing the net, I found the site that allows
to browse any website in text only mode.
This website is http://mytoday.com
mytoday
To view any website in text only mode follow the steps detailed
below:
1. Type the following address in your browser address bar

http://mytoday.com/v/

2. Once this is done, now add the protocol of access
like http, https, ftp, etc. as shown below
http://mytoday.com/v/http/

3. After this add the website address that you want to view
in text mode, in following way (as shown for technoglitters)
http://mytoday.com/v/http/technoglitters.blogspot.com


so that finally it looks as shown below in your browsers address bar:

Browse the website in text only mode

Enjoy text only browsing.

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Shortcut to open Registry Editor

Now to open the Registry editor no need of going to Start Menu > Run.
One can create a shortcut on desktop to open the Registry Editor
follow the steps given blow:

1. Open the Notepad and copy the following code snippet:


'Open Registry Editor
'from http://www.technoglitters.blogspot.com
Option Explicit
On Error Resume Next

Dim WSHShell
Set WSHShell=Wscript.CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
WSHShell.Run "REGEDIT"

Set WSHShell = Nothing


2. Once this is done now save the file as 'Open_Registry.vbs'
(without quotes) remember to make the file type option in
Save As dialog box to 'All files'
3. Now you can create as many shortcuts for these files as possible.
4. Since this is script file, some Antivirus or antispyware softwares
may report abuse, but override the rules and allow it to run and
enjoy the Registry Editor at click of you mouse.

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Start Button Context Menu

Using this tweak, you can run applications from the context menu
of the start button, i.e. by right clicking on the start button.

Open the registry from Start Menu > Run > regedit and follow the path:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell Key.

Right click on Shell Key, and create a new sub-key named after the
program you want to associate it with, say, Notepad. Now select this key
and create another sub-key named 'Command' and set its 'Default' entry
value as the path to the executable for example 'C:\windows\notepad.exe'.

Now if you right click on Start Menu you will see new entry for launching
Notepad.

Related Limks:
Add 'Copy To' and 'Move To' in Context Menu

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Create 'Copy To' and 'Move To' in context menu

When you right click you get a menu called Context menu.
This tweak shows how you can add two useful entries to it namely
'Copy To' and 'Move To'.
Therefore copying and moving files can be done in two steps.

To add 'Copy To' option, go to Registry and follow the following path;
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
and right click ContextMenuhandlers and create a new key called
'Copy To' (without quotes).
Select the key you created in right pane, modify the value of default
entry to '{C2FBB630-297111d1A18C00C04FD75D13}' (without quotes).
Similarly, navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
and create a sub-key named 'Copy To' and give the same default value
as above.

To add 'Move to' option duplicate the above mentioned steps, but rename
the sub-keys as 'Move To' and the default values as
'{C2FBB631-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}'.

Now when you right click on any file or folder - except on the desktop
you will get two more options for 'Copy To' and 'Move To'.
Thia may require a windows restart or simply press F5 after modifying
to refresh the changes in registry.

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Clear Add Remove Programs list

Certain program entries do remain in the Add/Remove programs
list due to some incomplete install/uninstall.
This small registry tweak allows you to remove all the unwanted
entries from Add/Remove programs list, it can also be used to hide
the Installed program from appearing in Add/Remove list.

To do this, go to registry and follow the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Under this key you will find the sub keys for each program installed.
Right Click and delete all the entries you want removed from Add\Remove
programs list.

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Friday, April 27, 2007

Clear URL s Cache from Internet Explorer address bar

To view the visited URLs in IE address bar click on drop down
button on end of address bar. To selctively remove URLs from
this list go to Registry and travel to following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLs
In the right pane you will find the list of URLs ordered with name
url1 url2....url25.
Delete the entries you want to remove and rename the remaining
entries to maintain the order.
example: if you delete two entries url4 and url7 then rename the
remaining entries so that they list as url1 to url23.

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Clear Run Command Cache

Commands entered in Run dialog box from start menu are automatically cached to be used later for AutoComplete.

One can selectively remove these entries from cached list of instructions.

Go to registry and follow the following path

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/RunMRU

and in right pane you will find entries for the Most recently used command in Run box.

Delete the unwanted entries or delete all.

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Thursday, April 26, 2007

Your own Image in Start Menu

1. Go to : C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures
* Dir is hidden

2. Delete the ones you never use

3. Add your own 48x48 .jpg/.png/.gif/.bmp images.

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change Program Files folder

Type regedit in Run box.

Navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Look for the entry -> ProgramFilesDir

Change its value fom "C:\Program Files" to D:\Installation (or something of your wish)

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Run program at login

Do you want to run a program every time you login into your computer Here you can do it, using Windows Registry.

1. Enter Notepad

2. Type [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mcft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

“name program”=”\”C:\\Program Files\\Winamp\\winamp.exe\”"

3. Save as using the .reg extension

4. Now double click the saved file and click 'yes' on popup message and allow the information to be added to Windows Registry

Next time when you will login to your PC, Winamp will start automatically.

-To deactivate this you have to delete the information from Windows Registry(go to run from start menu type "regedit"(without quotes) travel to following key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mcft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and find the file winamp that starts automatically and delete it).

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Unlimited Upload Sites

http://esnips.com
Upto 5 GB

http://inbox.com
Max 2GB

http://fileupyours.com
Everything unlimited

http://datapickup.com
Max File Size: 1.5GB
File deleted after 7 days

http://freespace.filefront.com
Max File Size: 1GB (Files cannot be larger than 1GB or take more than 10 hours to upload)
Everything else is unlimited.

http://www.yousendit.com
Max File Size: 1GB
File deleted after 7 days

http://www.transferbigfiles.com
Max File Size: 1GB
File deleted after 5 days/20 downloads

http://www.spread-it.com
Max File Size: 500MB
File deleted if not downloaded for 30 days

http://ftpz.us
Max File Size: 498MB
Everything else is unlimited

http://www.thefilehut.com
Max File Size: 250MB
Free registration required

http://www.megaupload.com
Max File Size: 250MB (used to be 500MB)
File deleted if not downloaded for 30 days

http://www.updownloadserver.com
Max File Size: 250MB (Uploads will be checked by an admin before publishing)

http://www.sharebigfile.com
Max File Size: 250MB
File deleted after 7 days

http://www. uploadr.com
Max File Size: 150mb weekdays, 300mb weekends
File deleted 1 week after last download date.

http://www.filecache.de
Max File Size: 125MB
File deleted if not downloaded for 30 days

http://www.pushfile.net
Max File Size: 100MB
File deleted if not downloaded for 7 days

http://www.dropload.com
Max File Size: 100MB
File deleted after 7 days or after the first download (yep.. it's true)

http://www.turboupload.com
Max File Size: 70MB

http://www.picapic.net
Max File Size: 60MB

http://www.nexmicrosystems.com
Max File Size: 60MB
File deleted after 30 days

http://www.savefile.com
Max File Size: 60MB
File deleted if not downloaded for 14 or 30 days. FAQ says 14, upload page says 30...

http://www.psychohost.com
Max File Size: 50MB
Everything else unlimited.

http://www.freeuploader.com
Max File Size: 50MB

http://www.ushareit.com
Max File Size: 50MB

http://sharefiles.ru
Max File Size: 50MB
File deleted after 30 days

http://www.wirefiles.com
Max File Size: 50MB

http://www.xshare.us
Max File Size: 50MB

http://app02.bonpoo.com/file.htm
Max File Size: 50MB

http://rapidshare.de
Max File size: 50MB
Download Limit: 50MB/hour
File deleted if not downloaded for 30 days

http://www.uploadhut.com
Max File Size: 50MB

http://www.gigashare.com
Max File Size: 50MB (multiple files upload option)

http://illhostit.com
Max File Size: 40MB

http://www.filebuffer.net
Max File Size: 40MB
Everything else seems to be unlimited

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Run commands

Accessibility Controls
access.cpl

Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl

Add/Remove Programs
appwiz.cpl

Administrative Tools
control admintools

Automatic Updates
wuaucpl.cpl

Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
fsquirt

Calculator
calc

Certificate Manager
certmgr.msc

Character Map
charmap

Check Disk Utility
chkdsk

Clipboard Viewer
clipbrd

Command Prompt
cmd

Component Services
dcomcnfg

Computer Management
compmgmt.msc

Date and Time Properties
timedate.cpl

DDE Shares
ddeshare

Device Manager
devmgmt.msc

Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)*
directx.cpl

Direct X Troubleshooter
dxdiag

Disk Cleanup Utility
cleanmgr

Disk Defragment
dfrg.msc

Disk Management
diskmgmt.msc

Disk Partition Manager
diskpart

Display Properties
control desktop

Display Properties
desk.cpl

Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)
control color

Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
drwtsn32

Driver Verifier Utility
verifier


Event Viewer
eventvwr.msc


File Signature Verification Tool
sigverif


Findfast
findfast.cpl


Folders Properties
control folders


Fonts
control fonts


Fonts Folder
fonts


Free Cell Card Game
freecell


Game Controllers
joy.cpl


Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
gpedit.msc


Hearts Card Game
mshearts


Iexpress Wizard
iexpress


Indexing Service
ciadv.msc


Internet Properties
inetcpl.cpl
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration) ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents) ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents) ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections) ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections) ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS) ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID) ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID) ipconfig /setclassid


Java Control Panel (If Installed)
jpicpl32.cpl


Java Control Panel (If Installed)
javaws


Keyboard Properties
control keyboard


Local Security Settings
secpol.msc


Local Users and Groups
lusrmgr.msc


Logs You Out Of Windows
logoff


Mcft Chat
winchat


Minesweeper Game
winmine


Mouse Properties
control mouse


Mouse Properties
main.cpl


Network Connections
control netconnections


Network Connections
ncpa.cpl


Network Setup Wizard
netsetup.cpl


Notepad
notepad


Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)
nvtuicpl.cpl


Object Packager
packager


ODBC Data Source Administrator
odbccp32.cpl


On Screen Keyboard
osk


Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed)
ac3filter.cpl


Password Properties
password.cpl


Performance Monitor
perfmon.msc

Performance Monitor
perfmon

Phone and Modem Options
telephon.cpl

Power Configuration
powercfg.cpl

Printers and Faxes
control printers

Printers Folder
printers

Private Character Editor
eudcedit

Quicktime (If Installed)
QuickTime.cpl

Regional Settings
intl.cpl

Registry Editor
regedit

Registry Editor
regedit32

Remote Desktop
mstsc

Removable Storage
ntmsmgr.msc

Removable Storage Operator Requests
ntmsoprq.msc

Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
rsop.msc

Scanners and Cameras
sticpl.cpl

Scheduled Tasks
control schedtasks

Security Center
wscui.cpl

Services
services.msc

Shared Folders
fsmgmt.msc

Shuts Down Windows
shutdown

Sounds and Audio
mmsys.cpl

Spider Solitare Card Game
spider

SQL Client Configuration
cliconfg

System Configuration Editor
sysedit

System Configuration Utility
msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately) sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot) sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot) sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting) sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache) sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x) sfc /cachesize=x

System Properties
sysdm.cpl

Task Manager
taskmgr

Telnet Client
telnet

User Account Management
nusrmgr.cpl

Utility Manager
utilman

Windows Firewall
firewall.cpl

Windows Magnifier
magnify

Windows Management Infrastructure
wmimgmt.msc

Windows System Security Tool
syskey

Windows Update Launches
wupdmgr

Windows XP Tour Wizard
tourstart

Wordpad
wordpad

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set minimum login password length in Windows

By default Windows accepts both short and long passwords as the Windows login password.
Some users use extremely short passwords, which can easily be brute forced. So in order to set the minimum number of characters or the minimum length of the password, simply follow the following registry trick-:

1. Launch the Windows Registry Editor i.e. c:\windows\regedit.exe

2. Scroll down to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Policies\Network

3. Click on Edit > New DWORD Value.

4. Name this new DWORD value as MinPwdLen and in the data field (by right clicking the DWORD value), enter the minimum number of characters
the password has to be of. One thing to note here is that this value is in Hexadecimal.

5. Now, Press F5 and your system just became a tiny bit securer but certainly not unhackable.

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shortcut to CTRL-ALT-DELETE

If CTRL-ALT-DELETE seems like too much of a hassle, try this instead:

1. Right click an empty spot on the desktop, point to New and click Shortcut.

2. In the Create Shortcut dialog box, type the following into the Type the location of the item text box:

rundll32 user32.dll,LockWorkStation

3. Click Next.

4. In the Select a Title for the Program dialog box, type Lock the Desktop in the Type a name for this shortcut text box. Click Finish.

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Back up the Registry

The registry is critical for health of the system, sometimes even a small tweak, may corrupt windows and avoid from logging in. So it is always recommended to back up the Registry before applying any of your changes.
To take the back up of the registry open registry editor from start > Run, type Regedit and press enter.

Export registry

In Registry editor select the highest key from left pane of 'My Computer' and then from top level menu in registry editor select File > Export, give the location where you want to store the
back-up, and its done with backup of complete registry.
On can also backup particular key, to do that same way select the key from left pane and click on File > export.

To apply the backup again you can simply double click the backup file or clcik on File > import from Registry editor.

Users using Windows ME and higher can also create system restore points, to save all the current settings of windows (including regitry). To do this navigate to start > program > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore, and select 'create a restore point'. To revert to this point later, you have to just select the point again to restore.

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Learn to Use Registry

The registry is the place where windows stores all the settings related to hardware that it controls, software installed and other windows environment settings; like toolbar, colors, menus, etc.
So to apply our own customized settings, registry editing is must.

To open the registry go to 'start menu' > run then type regedit and press Enter.
 start registry editor form start menu

registry editor
Then registry editor opens, where the left pane has folder tree like heirarchy. Each item here is called Key and they may again have further sub-keys. When you select a key you will find some items in right pane. These are entries corresponding to selected keys. It is the entries that store the settings. Entries can store three types of data: String, Binary and DWORD.Always back-up the registry before applying any changes.

To create a new key just right click the parent key and select New > Key. to create an entry select the key in left pane, right-click ovr in right pane and select the data type of the entry to be created.
The changes to registry may not be effective right then and there; sometimes it may need Restart or logoff or simply pressing function key F5 (refresh) will apply the customizatons. For particular software changes, sometimes only restarting the application will work.

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