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Some useful windows xp shortcuts

Shortcuts always save time, be it on the road or on your computer. Here are a few windows xp shortcuts that will help you save your time. I hope you find them useful.

Windows Explorer

1. F2: Rename object - Forget right clicking a file or folder to find Rename option, Just select any file or folder with a single click and press F2 to rename selected object.

2. F6 - Pressing F6 will let you move across various panes of Windows Explorer.

3. Alt + Enter/ Alt+Double Click: Select any object in Windows Explorer and then use Alt+Enter or Alt+Double Click to open properties of the selected object.

4. SHIFT+right click: Displays right context menu containing alternative commands, e.g. you can get an option to Open Command Window here if you use Shift+right click on any explorer object.

5. SHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the right context menu). e.g. You can open Explorer View directly by clicking on any folder with Shift key pressed.

6. BACKSPACE: Move to the parent folder. Similar to Up button in Windows Explorer.

7. Ctrl + double click: Using double click on any folder with Ctrl key pressed will open that folder in a new explorer window.

8. SHIFT+click+Close button: this one’s useful if you have used Ctrl+double click to open folders in new windows. Click on the close button of a open folder window with Shift key pressed. This will close all parent folders of that folder.

9 SHIFT:To prevent a CD/DVD from running automatically press and hold Shift while inserting CD/DVD into your optical drive.

10. F3: Pressing F3 while you are in windows explorer will open Windows Search to search for files or folders. This shortcut also works in Firefox which lets you search the opened web page.

11. To copy a file from one folder to another, drag it to another folder with Ctrl key pressed.

12. To create a shortcut to a file or folder, hold down Ctrl+Shift and drag it to desktop or another folder.

13. ALT+SPACE: It’ll display the currently opened window’s System menu (System menu contains options to move, re-size, minimize, maximize, or close the window).

Windows Management

14. CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu, useful if your keyboard does not have a Windows key.

15. Windows Key+M: Minimize all open windows

Get more shortcuts at TechnoTraits

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Advantages of DLL files

If you check the system files and program files folder you will find a lot of files with DLL extension, In this post lets learn about dll files and their advantages, i hope you will find it useful and interesting.

Third-party applications aside from the Windows platform can also employ dynamic-link library (DLL) files to take advantage of the benefits provided by DLLs, particularly in saving RAM and hard disk space. DLLs do not need multiple copies to be present in the system since applications can simultaneously use the functions and protocols embedded on a single DLL. This is why it saves hard disk space and valuable memory resources.

The software developer may use a third-party software module that can be reused to enhance the quality and efficiency of programming custom applications. Once again, developers of these third-party components employ DLLs to enjoy the advantages offered by shared libraries. One of these benefits is modularity, which makes it easy for the programmer to make modifications to code that is often used in a single DLL file applied several times by a program and by various application features.

The utilization of standard interfaces for plug-ins is another advantage obtained by third-party software developers from the employment of DLL files. Only a lone interface may be required to integrate older modules with newer ones on existing applications during run-time without having to alter the application itself.

The programmer connects the code to an import library through an Import Address Table (IAT) when third-party executable files are developed. During run-time, the program fills its IAT with the proper addresses connecting to a function in a DLL file only loaded into memory when it is called.

Similar to DLL files needed by Windows, DLLs employed by third-party applications also contain data, executable code, or resources in any combination. The EXE contains the list of instructions to be performed by a DLL module, while the data and resources provide the appropriate information. DLL files for the 32- and 64-bit operating systems are in the Portable Executable (PE) format, while those for the 16-bit OS are in the New Executable (NE) format.

The NE format is a segmented executable file. The PE format superseded the NE format and has the advantage of not being affected by the type of architecture used.

For more information about the various data formats of a computer, can visit the numerous only free libraries, such as http://www.file-extension.com.

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Hibernate your computer for a faster start up

Windows XP takes a lot of time to start, If you hate waiting like me then you must consider using hibernation option instead of turnoff for a faster startup.

To do this,

1.Hold down the “shift” key in the shutdown dialog to change the “Stand By” to “Hibernate“.

2. Or You can just press H to hibernate instantly.

To enable hibernation go to control panel and click on power options and click on hibernation tab and check the enable hibernation box. To enable hibernation  you should have sufficient free space in C drive. Check the screenshot below if you have any problems

You can even use the Power Control Panel to configure your power button to hibernate. To do this click on the advanced tab and modify power buttons options according to your convenience.( Check the screen shot below)

We shall see how to use Microsoft bootvis to reduce the startup time of your computer in next post. Subscribe to our feed to stay connected.

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Mass Downloader | The best download accelerator

MetaProducts Mass Downloader (MD) is a download manager allowing you to transfer individual files (or lists of files) from the Web and FTP sites at the maximum available speed. Multiple channels technology significantly reduces download time.Download resume is supported. Mass Downloader supports a wide range of downloads: from usual and secured (HTTPS) Web sites, FTP servers, Real Media and Microsoft Media stream servers. The support of stream protocols makes it simple to download stream video and audio for offline viewing.Mass Downloader also allows you to browse Zip archives before loading them and to choose only the desired files to download. Mass Downloader has an excellent Internet Explorer-like user interface. Mass Downloader allows you to download specific files by filename, which differs from Offline Explorer in that Offline Explorer lets you speed your way through downloading entire web sites.

I personally use mass downloader and found it very useful, this awesome downloader gave me great speeds. Check the screen shot below.

Here are some key features of “Mass Downloader”:

• HTTP, FTP, HTTPS protocol support
• The ability to preview ZIP-archives contents and load only the desired files
• Internal FTP Browser
• Download categories
• Cookies support
• Very fast and reliable file retrieval from the Web and FTP sites
• Maximum Internet connection bandwidth usage when loading several files parts simultaneously
• HTTP and SOCKS Proxy support
• Supports Drag-and-Drop links from Internet Browsers to the Main window and Drop Box, paste links from the Clipboard. Also, Mass Downloader intercepts clicks in Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer, embeds its item to the Microsoft Internet Explorer context menu
• Fully configurable user interface
• Very easy to use
• Can operate in the background
• You can schedule downloads
• Automatic dialer to connect your Internet Service Provider
• History of all loaded files allows you to easily find them on disk and to get additional server and download information
• Import incompletely downloaded files from other download managers
• The ability to work in an automatic mode

Requirements:

· Memory: 64MB of RAM, or the minimum memory required to run Windows, although more memory is recommended for better performance.
· Disk Space Required to Install Program: 2500KB

Download/Buy MassDownloader

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Hike your vista performance rating

The Windows Experience Rating is sort of like a system performance gauging system that you only find in Vista . While many complain that it’s flawed and unfair at times, there’s a way to fool Vista. Basically, we change the performance figures in the XML that holds the scores for each of the subsystems. To see what your system rating is originally, click on

Start > ControlPanel > System and Maintenance > Performance Information and Tools or if you use the Classic Control Panel,double click on Performance Information and Tools.

1. Open up Windows Explorer and browse to C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore.
2. Right-click on the most recently created XML file there and click on Properties.
3. Click on the Security tab and then on the Edit button.
4. Click on Add and enter the username that you log in using.
5. Click OK.Select the entered ID and check the checkbox for Full Control. Click OK.
6. Click on Yes for any confirmation windows that may pop up. Finally, click OK.
7. Open Wordpad from Start > All Programs > Accessories > Wordpad.
8. Click on File > Open and browse to C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore. Select All files as the type of file using the dropdown menu and select the XML file. Click OK
9. Under the <WinSPR> section, make changes to the scores given. These are the changes we made to strike the totally extraordinary score.

<WinSPR>
<SystemScore>9.9</SystemScore>
<MemoryScore>9.9</MemoryScore>
<CpuScore>9.9</CpuScore>
<CPUSubAggScore>9.9</CPUSubAggScore>
<VideoEncodeScore>9.9</VideoEncodeSc
ore>
<GraphicsScore>9.9</GraphicsScore>
<GamingScore>9.9</GamingScore>
<DiskScore>9.9</DiskScore>
</WinSPR>

10. Save the file and restart Performance
Information and Tools in the Control Panel

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Some quick windows tips and hacks

Allowing Network Access with Blank Passwords (XP and Vista)

Although you can log in locally without a password, by default, WindowsXP Pro does not allow network users to access the computer without a password. Typically you will receive an Unknown error 31 if this is the case.
To change this setting:
Run gpedit.msc
Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options
Double click on Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console login only
Disable this option

Disabling the F3 Search Key

If you want to disable the ability to use the F3 key from either the Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions
Create a Dword value called NoFindFiles
Give it a value of 1
Reboot

Preventing Changes to File Associations

You can prevent users from changing associations via Windows Explorer’s Tools / Folder Options / File Types tab.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explore
Create REG_DWORD data type NoFileAssociate
Give it a value of 1

Locking File Associations

If you have your file associations the way you want for a particular file type, you can remove it from the list that gets displayed in the Folder Options / File Types screen
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Scroll to the file association you want to lock.
In the right panel, create a new Binary value
Call it EditFlags
Give it a value of 01 00 00 00
Now when you go to the Folder Options / File Types screen, you won’t see that file type listed.

Turning off System Beeps

If you want to turn off all system beeps (like the ones that go through your computers’ internal speaker):
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound
Edit the key Beep and give it a value of No
Download reg file

Changing the Location Of Special Folders

You can modify the registry to change the location of special folders like:
My Documents
Favorites
My Pictures
Personal
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Double click on any locations you want to change and alter the path
Logoff or restart for the changes to go into effect
Note: TweakUI from Microsoft will allow you to make these changes from a dialog box as well

Setting the Recycle Bin to Always Delete

You can set the recycle bin to always delete items (like holding down the shift key when dragging files to the recycle bin)
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ BitBucket
Set the key NukeOnDelete to 1
Download reg file

Setting the Internet Explorer Home Page

If you want to set the home page used by Internet Explorer through the registry
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Main
Give the Start Page key the string value you wish set as homepage

Preparing to Move Hard Drive to Another Computer

To remove the devices from device manager when taking a HD from one computer to another,simply:
Run Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ and delete the Enum section
This removes all of the hardware specific settings

Comparing Registries

While working with changes to your system, you might want to see what is changing in your Registry.Since you can export it to a text file, the steps are fairly easy
Start Regedit
With the very top level select - My Computer, on the Toolbar select Registry / Export Registry File
I usually save it to the root of the C: drive with the name before (you don’t need to add an extension)
Make the change to your system
Go back to Regedit
Press F5 to update it
Export the Registry like step 2
Name the file after and have it go in the same directory
Open up a DOS window
Go to the directory where the two exported files are
Enter FC before.reg after.reg > diff.txt
Then you can edit diff.txt with your favorite text editor.

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Windwos Vista registry hacks

Here are some useful hacks for Windows Vista. As usual, back up your registry before you try them.

To change the name of the registered user or company,browse to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion

and look for RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganization. Double click on them and change the values.

Slow down animations

If you have a sufficiently powerful machine and love the animations in Vista, you might want to slow them down a bit. Navigate to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\DWM.
Once there, create a new key by right clicking on the space below existing keys and choose New > DWORD (32bit) Value.
Call it AnimationShiftKey and enter the value as 1. After rebooting the machine, whenever you want to slow down the animations, press the [Shift] key before it starts.
Encrypting and decrypting files in Vista is a multi-click process which takes a fair bit of navigating. With a registry hack, this task can be done with a simple right-click. Navigate to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/ Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced

and create a new 32-bit DWORD. Call it EncryptionValue and use the value as 1 there. After the system is restarted, you can get encrypting with just a right-click.

Speeding up Flip3D:

Eye candy is well and good, but not all of us have topof-the-line graphic cards to render all the sleek effects. This hack will limit the number of windows that are rendered in 3D, which will hopefully let you have your cake and eat it too.
Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM
And create a new DWORD value called Max3DWindows. The value should be set to a number between 4 and 9:
higher the number the more muscle your graphics card needs to pack. Try it out with different number values by opening multiple windows and checking out the difference.

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Automating Late Night Downloads

There is a boom in the number of broadband users in India. And there has been a boom in the service providers battling to gain the customers attention. I use BSNL’s DataOne Broadband service. There are also several other Internet Service Providers, and many of them give their users free downloads at unearthly times like 2 o’clock in the morning to 8 am. I personally believe that a major chunk of internet users are those who need to be awake in the morning either because of class or job. Hence the number of night birds using internet for free at these early hours is less.

Or is it?
Many people have realized that they can’t stay awake and surf the net for free all through the night, so they use torrent software’s to download games, software’s, movies so that they can watch or use them offline in the morning, without killing their biological sleep clock. But still they have to keep the system on till two in the morning and connect it and then go to sleep. They also have to make sure that the system is shut down before 8, or else these torrent software’s can wreck havoc to internet bills (they involve both downloading and uploading. We shall talk about P2P and torrents in a later post).

Have you faced similar situations? Searching for a remedy or a solution to start the system at 2, run the downloads and shut it down in time? You have a question, and I have the answer.

The Software.

For this Windows Hack, you will have to Hibernate your system, and not shut it down. O.K. And you also need a 3rd party shareware called Auto Power On and Shut Down(APSD). Download it and install, you get a 30 day trial version. For the full version you will have to register it.

This software performs certain user defined actions, based on the system time. We can set the time to power on the Hibernated system. Click on New and set the required features as per your need. I have set it to Power On 7 days a week (Daily).

The Batch Files.

We need to create two batch files to connect to the internet and to disconnect it. We will use the command rasdial.

Open a text file and type this.
rasdial ispname username password

rasdial - the command.

ispname - usually DataOne for broadband, this is the display name for your connection. Find it here>> My Computer>Control Panel>Network Connections.

username - your internet username.

password - your internet password.
Save it as Connect.bat

Next we need to make a batch file to disconnect.

Open a new text file and type.

rasdial /disconnect

Save it as disconnect.bat

Now in APSD, set it to open the connect.bat file a little after 2 am. Also set it to open the disconnect.bat file sometime before 8am. And also set it to Hibernate the system after 8am. Done. Now shedule you torrent client (I use µtorrent) to download during 2am to 8am. Also make sure your system time is correct so that everything goes on as scheduled. No need of any manual intervention during the entire process.

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Alternate to Windows Copy function

Grrrrrrrr……I yelled out because the data being transferred to my computer from the DVD was interrupted due to an error stating”Cyclic Data redundancy…” which means that the DVD/CD writer isn’t able to read the DVD due to bad sectors formed generally due to scratches .Just before this error had popped,3GB of my DVD was already copied,Left over was another 1.7 GB.

The 3 GB I copied disappeared.If only Windows would leave at least the 3GB of what was copied.Everything disappeared because of some small scratches.I had a backup of my most important personal videos in it.I had just reformatted my hard drive.I wish windows would skip the errors and read rest of the DVD/CD so that the error sectors would be skipped and the rest could be read..I had to find a solution.I tried everything possible but couldn’t retrieve the data.Finally as I had hope and the will not to give up I found this minute tool with which I recovered almost all of my data.

Note:While copying data from a DVD/CD there might be an error occurrence because the DVD/CD has scratches.Assume this error to occur when 50% of a file has been copied,as this error has occurred even the 50% of the file copied will be deleted by windows.This doesn’t happen in the case of the tool I am going to tell about.

Now Everyone must have faced similar cases while copying data within the computer from 1 sector to another or while transferring data from your DVD/CD to your computer.It might not be the same like mine but it will be similar.You were probably transferring a huge file from your DVD to computer where the estimated time was 20 min and you had to leave urgently for some meeting or anything similar.Probably your power supply went off while transferring file to computer and you had no other option than to turn of your computer while transferring an important file.At the end of all this you wished windows would allow pause and resume of file transfer within the computer.

Now,you wishing for windows performing all these functions is a waste of time as it isn’t going to do this lately.There is a solution for everything.Windows might not help you out but I am always there says this Software called Total Copy.

Why would you want to download this software?

1.It supports Pausing and Resuming of Files within the3 computer.(I don’t refer to files being downloaded from the internet.It is only transfer of files to/within the computer)You can pause the file transfer from your DVD/CD and continue it next time you start your computer.

2.If there is an error in the DVD/CD you can choose an option to skip the errors and copy rest of the DVD/CD.

3.You can choose the transfer speed.For scratched Disc’s low transfer speed should be selected for better reading.

4.It is faster than the windows copy utility.

5.It’s file size is only 252 Kb so it is nowhere close to hog your system memory.

Here’s the download link:

http://rapidshare.com/files/128579144/tcopy.exe.html

After downloading it run it and click on install.

After installing test it by right clicking on any file and dragging it to required folder.

When I right click and drag it to required folder this is what appears:

Choose the option “Total copy here” and the file will be copied there.

You can use this software to Copy Paste files to and within any storage device.

Good luck.

Do comment.

Edit: 10-7-08 7:20 PM  5:30GMT

A useful tip by Abhinav

Suppose you are copying a video file of about 500 Mb, then instead of copying it on your desktop straight, you create a briefcase and then start copying into that briefcase. Now even if there is a power cut or a problem in the CD, the part copied in the briefcase will be retained and will not vanish.

Copying to brief case has only one advantage, this doesnt give you other options line pause and resume, speed and skipping errors.

Have copied many corrupted CD’s before on my system.

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Make your Windows XP talk

Open notepad and paste the following code and save the file with .vbs extension, it will create a VBScript File.
It will prompt you for a text, input the text and press ok.”

;copy from here————–

Dim msg, sapi
msg=InputBox("Enter your text","Talk it")
Set sapi=CreateObject("sapi.spvoice")
sapi.Speak msg

;———-to here
Download the .vbs file

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