Windows Vista Tips & Tricks

prasannavigneshr · #**241** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:24 AM

Remote Assistance Shortcuts

Remote Assistance in Windows Vista is a great tool that is ofter overlooked and forgotten about. When it is actually used, it can be very valuable when trying to troubleshoot issues and demonstrate how to do a task to remote users. I find it very helpful when trying to assist my parents when they have a computer issue. Instead of trying to blindly walk them through something on the phone, I can connect to their computer and show how since remote assistance allows them to see what I am doing.

In Windows Vista Remote Assistance has been greatly improved and now has many command line parameters that make it easy for administrators to create shortcuts for their users. Check out the sections below for various Remote assistance shortcuts:

Request Assistance

* msra /novice
* msra /novice <computer>

Remote Assistance Shortcuts

* msra /expert
* msra /expert <computer>

Auto Connect Offer

* msra /offerra <computer>

prasannavigneshr · #**242** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:28 AM

Recover from Reduced Functionality Mode

Did you forget activate your computer within 30 days of installing and it is now stuck in reduced functionality Mode? Are you not yet ready to activate your copy and want to extend the activation period another 30 days or for longer? Using a slick Internet Explorer trick you can break out of Reduced Functionality mode and run the commands required to reset your activation period and recover use of your computer.

It starts when you log in and shown this error screen instead of taken to your desktop. Your only options are to activate now or enter reduced functionality mode. In reduced functionality mode, you will only have access to internet explorer, so that you can buy a license for Windows Vista!

Since Microsoft has still given us access to Internet Explorer, we can use it to launch the default explorer process. We will then use the explorer interface to open an administrative level command prompt to run the activation rearm command which will recover from reduced functionality mode.

Let’s get started:

On the Activate Windows Now screen shown above, click Access your computer with reduced functionality.
One Internet Explorer loads, hit the Alt key to bring up the menu bar. Click on File and then select Open.
On the open dialog, type in c:\windows\explorer.exe and hit OK.
You will now see the first of many open confirmations that IE will prompt you with. Hit OK on the first.
Click Run on this prompt.
Finally, hit Run yet again.
Explorer will now start and you will see your taskbar and desktop.

prasannavigneshr · #**243** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:29 AM

Quick launch Shortcut Keys

If you are a big Quick Launch user this is a cool tip for you. Instead of clicking on the shortcut icons, hold down the Windows key and then press the shortcut number. This works for the first 10 shortcuts.

For example, to start the first quick launch shortcut press and hold Windows Key + 1.

prasannavigneshr · #**244** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:29 AM

Missing the old File, Edit, View Menu Bar?

One of the main concepts of Windows Vista is to make things more simple, basically take some of the complexity out of Windows.The decision was made to do away with the old menu bar in many of the windows of Windows Vista because they simply looked too busy and offered the user too many, often confusing, choices.

This all sounds great but we are power users and most of us like complexity because it gives us more control. Thankfully, Microsoft didn’t really do away with it completely, they just hid it. The next time you are using Windows Vista and wish that old menu bar was still around, just hit ALT on your keyboard and it magically appear!

prasannavigneshr · #**245** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:30 AM

Managed your Stored Network Passwords

Are the save password check boxes missing from your network authentication screens? This is one of the most annoying issues with Windows Vista for me since I work off a local NAS I have at home all the time. Rather than just save my password as it should the first time when I checked the save password box, it seems to throw my password away after a reboot. If that was not enough, now Windows Vista no longer even gives me the option to save my password.

One easy way to fix this issue and store my passwords for real is the use the Stored Usernames and Passwords utility. Follow these steps:

Click on the start button and key in User Accounts and hit Enter.
Click on Manage your network passwords located on the side menu.
Here you can add new accounts & passwords or edit and delete existing accounts. To fix my situation where it will not save my password I am going to select Add.
Next fill out the Stored Credential Properties screen and hit OK.
Hit close and your new account and password are saved for good.

prasannavigneshr · #**246** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:32 AM

Make NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices work in Vista

If you are like me and have a NAS device on your network that is not compatible with Windows Vista, now you can tweak Windows Vista to make it work again. You do not even have to wait for your device manufacturer to release a new firmware any more! Just follow these steps below:

Click on the Start Button and key in secpol.msc in the search box and hit Enter.
When the Local Security Policy editor has loaded, expand Local Policies and select Security Options.
Scroll through the list and locate “Network Security: LAN Manager authentication level.” Right click on this setting and select Properties.
Change the setting to “Send LM & NTML - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated”
Hit OK and your NAS will work again.

Using theses instructions I was able to make my 1 TB Buffalo TeraStation work with Windows Vista. Prior to changing the authentication level, I could not access any secured shares on my NAS.

prasannavigneshr · #**247** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:33 AM

Make mapped network connections work for privilege escalated processes

Ever wonder why you get network authentication errors when you are trying access a mapped network share from a process that was elevated by UAC? Josh over at WindowsConnected has a great article on how you can fix this annoying issue:

Quote:

On Windows Vista when you map a drive under your admin account you will find that your mapped drive is not available after you switch to your full token via a RunAs or Consent dialog. This is by design because there are actually two tokens in play here. What happens is the LSA recognized that you are admin at logon and creates two logons. The first with a “filtered” token or non-admin which is used to render your desktop and the other containing your full token to be available after consent dialogs.

Because there are two separate logons there are separate logon ID’s. When network shares are mapped they are linked to the current logon session for the current process token. Meaning you don’t have access to the network drive from the alternate logon. This can come into play with logon scripts and a number of other areas where you may require access to a network share from both tokens.

Click here to read the full article

prasannavigneshr · #**248** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:34 AM

Launch Flip 3D Alt+Tab Replacement

This has been one of the most demonstrated features of Windows Vista and also one that I have been asked the most about how to use it.

Keep in mind that your computer must support the DWM for this feature to run. If you are running Aero Glass right now, it will work perfectly for you.

Launch Flip 3D:

Just press and hold the Windows Key+Tab. Then use the scroll wheel on your mouse or the up and down keyboard arrows to navigate through the windows. When the window you want is on top, release the Windows and Tab keys.

prasannavigneshr · #**249** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:35 AM

Keyboard shortcut to open Task Manager directly

Back in Windows XP if you were not on a domain CTRL + ALT +DEL would open up Task Manager. In Windows Vista that key combination opens the secure desktop that allows you to do many more thing. To directly to Task Manager, hit CTRL +SHIFT + ESC.

prasannavigneshr · #**250** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:36 AM

Install Vista without Product Key

Don’t feel like typing in your product key before installing Windows Vista? It is now possible to install any version of Windows Vista and use it for 14 days before having to enter a product key and activating it.

While on the product key screen during install, just hit the Next button. You will be presented with a new screen that allows you to select the version of Windows Vista you would like to install.

prasannavigneshr · #**251** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:36 AM

How to delete / replace a system file

In many of the tweaks on this site I have directed you to delete or replace a system file. In Windows Vista this is not always as easy as it sounds since the system files are protected better by the file system than in XP. There are two steps that you need to do in order to be able to replace or delete a system file:

First you need to take ownership of the file. Run takeown /f “path and file name” to take ownership from a command prompt.
Next, you need to give your account full control permissions on the file. Run cacls “path and file name” /G <your username>:F to get full control from a command prompt.

prasannavigneshr · #**252** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:38 AM

Free up more space on your computer

The Windows Disk Cleanup utility does a good job of deleting old Microsoft temp files, logs, memory dumps and other OS related junk files. It can free up a lot of space on your computer but it often leaves a lot of junk behind. A great program that I use all the time on my computers is called CCleaner. Not only does it clean the Microsoft OS related junk files from your computer, it also removes junk files from other popular applications such as Firefox. Additionally, it is very good at locating other temporary files.

Download CCleaner

prasannavigneshr · #**253** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:39 AM

Free up Disk Space by deleting Backup Files

Windows Vista has loads of new backup features such as previous versions of your documents and system state points that are part of System Restore. All of these features are turned on by default and offer you a great deal of backup protection. However, you pay a big price in disk space. Every once in a while when your system is stable and you need to free up some disk space, it is a good idea to clear all of these previous versions of your files and System Restore points from your computer. This is a very easy way to free up a few gigabytes of space across all of your hard drives.

To get started, just follow these steps:

Click on the Start Button and key in disk cleanup and hit Enter.
Select Files from all users on this computer.
Select the drive you want to clean.
On the More Options tab, click on Clean Up under System Restore and Shadow Copies.
Hit Delete on the confirmation screen.

prasannavigneshr · #**254** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:40 AM

Fix No Screensaver with Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000

Users that have the Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 and/or the Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 have been experiencing issues for the past few months with their screen saver failing to turn on as well as any power saving features. The problem was linked to the new 3.0 version receiver shipping with the new 6000 series mouse and keyboards and the media center components.

Microsoft has finally released an update for these users so that they can use screensavers once again in Windows Vista. Follow theses steps to get the update for your computer:

Click on the Start Button and type in Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Locate the optional “Other hardware - HID - Non-User Input Data Filter” update and install it.
After the update is installed your screensaver and power saving functions will be fixed.

prasannavigneshr · #**255** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:46 AM

Fix Hibernate after running Disk Cleanup

I have found my first bug in the final code of Windows Vista. A few weeks ago after my hard drive was getting low on space I ran disk cleanup to try to delete some unneeded files. Since I needed a lot of space fast I also checked the option to clear my hibernation file. It turns out that was a big mistake.

After clearing my hibernation file my laptops ability to hibernate was destroyed. It was so badly damaged that I could not get to the control panel hibernation settings to turn it back on. Thanks Disk Cleanup!

The fix is actually very easy to do.. Since the control panel settings were gone, I simply used the the command prompt to turn it back on. If you have a similar problem, run the follow command at an administrative level command prompt to turn hibernation back on:

Powercfg /hibernate on

After a reboot the ability to hibernate is restored.

Update: Microsoft now has a KB article on the bug as well.

prasannavigneshr · #**256** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:47 AM

Enable Screen Magnifier

Do you find parts of the interface hard to see or would you like to zoom in on your work in photoshop? The Magnifier tool in Windows Vista is a great little utility that is a great help.

1. Click on the start button.
2. Key in magnifier and hit Enter.

prasannavigneshr · #**257** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:48 AM

Enable On-Screen Keyboard

Would you like to use your computer with just your mouse and now keyboard? You can with the on-screen keyboard.

1. Click on the start button.
2. Key in osk and hit Enter.

prasannavigneshr · #**258** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:48 AM

Disable Windows startup sound

There was a lot of controversy of the new Windows Start sound in Windows Vista. Originally, Microsoft was planning on making this a mandatory sound that users would not be able to disable. This sounds like a great idea from a Marketing perspective since all Windows users world-wide would hear the same notes when their computer starts up. However from a user perspective this could be a nightmare. Thankfully Microsoft responded to the vocal Microsoft community and gave users the option to disable this sound.

Follow these steps to disable your Windows startup sound:

1. Click on the Start Button and type in Sound. Select Sound from the list.
2. Click on the Sounds tab.
3. Remove the check from Play Windows Startup sound.
4. Hit OK.

prasannavigneshr · #**259** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:49 AM

Create Symbolic Links & Directory Junctions (Hard & Soft File System Links)

Windows Vista includes a great little utility that allows users to finally make soft and hard file system links in the file system. This can be very useful from a software compatibility standpoint as well as a great way to organize your computer. Unlike a shortcut, a link is at the file system level and can be used to create an alias for a file or folder that is in a different location. For example, you can create a hard link (Directory junction) called c:\win that points to c:\windows\system32. After the link is created, you can open up command prompt or explorer and browse to c:\win and you will see the contents of c:\windows\system32. This is not a new technology, it has actually been a core Linux and Unix feature for as far as I can remember but it is nice to finally have it in Windows Vista.

Links can be created with the mklink command line utility.

MKLINK [[/D] | [/H] | [/J]] Link Target
/D Creates a directory symbolic link. Default is a file
symbolic link.
/H Creates a hard link instead of a symbolic link.
/J Creates a Directory Junction.
Link specifies the new symbolic link name.
Target specifies the path (relative or absolute) that the new link
refers to.

Let’s say that you want to create a directory junction like I mentioned earlier called c:\win that points to c:\windows\system32:

1. Open up an Administrative Level command prompt.
2. Run: mklink /j c:\win c:\windows\system32

prasannavigneshr · #**260** (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:51 AM

Create a direct shortcut to Network Connections

The new Network and Sharing Center in Windows Vista is great for the average Windows user but can be a huge headache for advanced users. When I need to make a change to my network settings I don’t want to be forced to go through the networking interface for the average non-technical users. I want to go right to the settings screen and make the change.

I am a big fan of the old Windows XP network approach where I could modify all of the network settings and connect to wireless network from the Network Connections screen. In Windows Vista, the Network Connections screen still exists, as shown above, but you have to go through the Network and Sharing Center screen first. Using a very useful explorer trick I discovered when playing with “::” and explorer class IDs, you can create a shortcut that will take you directly to the Network Connections screen.

1. Right click on the desktop and select New and then Shortcut.
2. In the location box, copy and paste explorer.exe ::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E} and hit Next.
3. Type in Network Connections as the name and Finish.

Your shortcut directly to Network Connections is now on your desktop. I like to create a copy in my quick launch bar for easy access. If you want to change the icon to the correct Network connections icon, the icon can be found in %SystemRoot%\system32\netshell.dll in the first position.

Enjoy!