The "Best Windows Tip You Know" Thread

By WastedJoker
in Tips, Tweaks & Customization

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Grand Master

ranasrule

Posted
Posted

awesome thread..... heres a neat trick ...... Create a new Registry import file named context_defrag.inf in Notepad (be sure to save with it with the Save as type set to All Files and not Text Documents) and place the following text inside:

; context_defrag.INF

; Adds Defrag to the right click context menu in Windows XP

[version]

signature="$CHICAGO$"

[DefaultInstall]

AddReg=AddMe

[AddMe]

HKCR,"Drive\Shell\Defrag\command",,,"DEFRAG.EXE %1"

Then, right-click and choose Install. This will add a context menu to XP that allows you to automatically defrag drives, using the command line version of the built-in defragmentation utility. To use it, navigate to a drive in My Computer, right-click, and choose Defrag. A command line window will appear, and that drive will be defragged. When it's complete, the window just disappears.

UPDATE: To remove this functionality, Open regedit.exe and navigate to the following location:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\

Then delete the Defrag folder and close Regedit.

Enthusiast

kwehner

Posted
Posted

WinKey+L = C+A+D Enter (ie locks the computer, for WXP and W2K3 only)

You can also double click an icon to lock the computer by creating a shortcut with these propertiies:

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Works on Windows 2000 too.

Grand Master

ranasrule

Posted
Posted

Add/Remove optional features of Windows XP

For some reason, Microsoft has removed the ability to specify which Windows components you want to install during interactive Setup, and when you go into Add/Remove Windows Components in the Control Panel, you still don't have the full list of applications and applets you can add and remove. Thankfully, this is easy to fix.

To dramatically expand the list of applications you can remove from Windows XP after installation, navigate to C:\WINDOWS\inf (substituting the correct drive letter for your version of Windows) and open the sysoc.inf file. Under Windows XP Professional Edition, this file will resemble the following by default:

[Version] Signature = "$Windows NT$"

DriverVer=06/26/2001,5.1.2505.0

[Components]

NtComponents=ntoc.dll,NtOcSetupProc,,4

WBEM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,wbemoc.inf,hide,7

Display=desk.cpl,DisplayOcSetupProc,,7

Fax=fxsocm.dll,FaxOcmSetupProc,fxsocm.inf,,7

NetOC=netoc.dll,NetOcSetupProc,netoc.inf,,7

iis=iis.dll,OcEntry,iis.inf,,7

com=comsetup.dll,OcEntry,comnt5.inf,hide,7

dtc=msdtcstp.dll,OcEntry,dtcnt5.inf,hide,7

IndexSrv_System = setupqry.dll,IndexSrv,setupqry.inf,,7

TerminalServer=TsOc.dll, HydraOc, TsOc.inf,hide,2

msmq=msmqocm.dll,MsmqOcm,msmqocm.inf,,6

ims=imsinsnt.dll,OcEntry,ims.inf,,7

fp_extensions=fp40ext.dll,FrontPage4Extensions,fp40ext.inf,,7

AutoUpdate=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,au.inf,hide,7

msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

msnexplr=ocmsn.dll,OcEntry,msnmsn.inf,,7

smarttgs=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,msnsl.inf,,7

RootAutoUpdate=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,rootau.inf,,7

Games=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,games.inf,,7

AccessUtil=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,accessor.inf,,7

CommApps=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,communic.inf,HIDE,7

MultiM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,multimed.inf,HIDE,7

AccessOpt=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,optional.inf,HIDE,7

Pinball=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,pinball.inf,HIDE,7

MSWordPad=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,wordpad.inf,HIDE,7

ZoneGames=zoneoc.dll,ZoneSetupProc,igames.inf,,7

[Global]

WindowTitle=%WindowTitle%

WindowTitle.StandAlone="*"

The entries that include the text hide or HIDE will not show up in Add/Remove Windows Components by default. To fix this, do a global search and replace for ,hide and change each instance of this to , (a comma). Then, save the file, relaunch Add/Remove Windows Components, and tweak the installed applications to your heart's content.

Mentor

Ruciz

Posted
Posted

Here, I summarized almost all the tricks from this thread to this point. I think I left out a few of the advanced ones.

Copy an error message:

Make sure the error message is on top of all other windows.

Hit CTRL + C to copy the error, open notepad or other text application.

Hit CTRL + V to paste the error. That saves typing.

Resize Windows Mixer/volume control:

Open windows mixer by double-clicking the speaker in your tray.

Hit CTRL + S and enjoy the shrunk window.

Finish my address:

type google in IE or firefox's address bar, hit CTRL + enter to fill in the www. and .com automatically.

Hold the Ctrl key when opening a folder to open it in a new window.

Hold the Shift key when opening a folder to open it in a new window with the folder list on the left.

Hold the Alt key when opening a folder to go to the folder properties (rather than Right-click, Properties)

Windows key & pause/break opens system properties dialog.

Holding shift while pressing delete on selected items will delete them without them going to the recycle bin.

Windows key + L will lock your computer (WinXP or higher only)

Lock your computer from an Icon:

create a shortcut with these propertiies:

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

works on windows 2000 also.

How to Remove the Recycle bin icon from the desktop:

Start Menu - Run - Then type 'gpedit.msc' and return

Now in the Group Policy window go to 'User Configuration' / 'Administrative Templates' / 'Desktop'

Enable 'Remove Recycle Bin icon from desktop'

Reconfigure what starts when computer does:

Start -> msconfig -> startup to stop pesky programs starting themselves.

How to remove the shared folders in My Computer:

Start - Run - Regedit

Search for the string called 'DelegateFolders'

Only one result, delete the subentry for that key!

Quick Shut Off On windows 2000 or XP with the classic logon enabled if on XP:

Press ctrl+alt+delete, then hold ctrl+shift and press the shut down button, if you now press ok your pc will

turn off immediatly.

Better user account setup dialog:

Start -> Run

type "control.exe userpasswords2"

Save TCP/IP settings:

netsh interface dump > settings.txt

to restore TCP/IP settings:

netsh exec settings.txt

to reset TCP/IP settings:

netsh int ip reset [log_file_name]

Login as administrator/enable classic logon temporarily:

Hit CTRL+ ALT + DEL twice, should display classic logon.

Username as administrator, then password should log you into admin account.

Minimize all windows:

Press Windows key + M

Keep up the great tips everyone!

Experienced

nav1

Posted
Posted

What an awesome thread this is. I got a very useful one, at least for me.

To browse all open windows, including dialog and properties boxes that don't show up using ALT + TAB, use ALT + ESC.

Another one a friend told me, and I use on all my computers:

To change the command prompt, so it doesn't show the current folder (which sometimes takes more than a line and can be annoying) create an environment variable called PROMPT, and set it to what you want to show, including other environment variables. For example, mine is %username%@%computername%# (with a space at the end), which makes it look sort of like a linux command line, and is always the same length. Here's how my command line looks like:

Ivan@MACHINA# ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

		Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
		IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 127.0.0.1
		Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
		Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.1

Ivan@MACHINA# cd
C:\Documents and Settings\Ivan\Desktop

Ivan@MACHINA#

and if I ever need to know the current directory, I just enter 'cd' with no params.

Hope you like them !

Collaborator

ride365

Posted
Posted

First of all I love ambiance's sig.

Here are a few things I do when I first install windows.

1)

Take off all the fancy tool and task bars to improve performance:

Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Performance -> Best performance (Leaving group common tasks in folders) To get the directory shortcuts on the right.

2)

Speed up Internet Explorer Leave Automatically Detect settings unchecked in the Lan settings menu under connections in internet options for a quicker IE boot and loading of home page.

3)

Old Tip: Turn up your moniters refresh rate to second highest or highest to prevent eye fatigue and headaches.

4) Get a quick launch button and shortcuts to IE and Desktop by right clicking on start menu toolbar and checking the box.

Sorry I can't really remember any great ones but those are the kind you do and don't think of.

Add/Remove optional features of Windows XP

For some reason, Microsoft has removed the ability to specify which Windows components you want to install during interactive Setup, and when you go into Add/Remove Windows Components in the Control Panel, you still don't have the full list of applications and applets you can add and remove. Thankfully, this is easy to fix.

To dramatically expand the list of applications you can remove from Windows XP after installation, navigate to C:\WINDOWS\inf (substituting the correct drive letter for your version of Windows) and open the sysoc.inf file. Under Windows XP Professional Edition, this file will resemble the following by default:

...................................

Great post but remember that you have to have hidden files enabled to see the folder INF in the windows dir.(Under folder options in control panel). Or else do an advanced search and include hidden files.

Community Regular

fred65

Posted
Posted

Yeah some of these are great!

To bring up task manager quicker than CTRL+ALT+DEL, hit CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.

To drag files into a program drag them and hold them over the taskbar button, or to be quicker, ALT+TAB while holding the drag!

Shift + Drag - Move

Ctrl + Drag - copy

Alt + Drag - create shortcut

To select multiple files:

Shift - continuous files

Ctrl - one by one

Ctrl + Drag a square around the files - you can drag multiple squares, just hold down CTRL - very useful.

Enthusiast

HouD

Posted
Posted

To drag files into a program drag them and hold them over the taskbar button, or to be quicker, ALT+TAB while holding the drag!

Shift + Drag - Move

Ctrl + Drag - copy

Alt + Drag - create shortcut

Dude, I never knew this! Thank so much! :D

I'll keep mine short and sweet. Easily my favourite.

Windows key + 'E' = Windows Explorer

Veteran

Herby

Posted
Posted

To drag files into a program drag them and hold them over the taskbar button, or to be quicker, ALT+TAB while holding the drag!

Shift + Drag - Move

Ctrl + Drag - copy

Alt + Drag - create shortcut

Right Click + Drag and you get a menu were you can choose (Copy Move or Create Shortcut). :)

Create a textless Scf (Windows Explorer Command), Url (Internet Shortcut) & Lnk (shortcut):

Create a new Scf, Url or Lnk and rename it to x.

Open the Command Prompt and go to the directory where you created the file.

If you created a Windows Explorer Command type: rename x.scf .scf

If you created a Internet Shortcut type: rename x.url .url

If you created a Shortcut type: rename x.lnk .lnk

Tadaaaah! they have no text selection box! (see attached zip) :)

If you want to use more of them on your Desktop (+ enhanced Context Menu's) have a look here.

TextlessScfUrlLnk.zip

Community Regular

Minchino

Posted
Posted (edited)

START > RUN...

Process Idle Tasks:

Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

Reset 'My ...' Folders - Resets all 'Special' folders, good for when they lose their special icons.

rundll32 mydocs.dll,PerUserInit

And the list of keyboard shortcuts posted earlier was for Win 95/98/ME; Here's the XP Keyboard Shortcuts.

Awsome thread. :)

Edited by Minchino
Grand Master

WastedJoker

Posted
  • Author
Posted

shirike:

Next time you need a screenshot of a error message, do Alt+Ctrl+"PrintScreen" to get a screenshot for the current window, don't have to capture the whole desktop then crop it anymore. :D

I do use Alt + Prt Sc but the border around the images is there because of the transparency of the theme I use.

Mentor

Guyro

Posted
Posted

every hotkey in windows

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=...e=post&id=97600

or here

Compiled by +ethief. [email protected]

Run Commands

-----------------------------------------------------------

compmgmt.msc - Computer management

devmgmt.msc - Device manager

diskmgmt.msc - Disk management

dfrg.msc - Disk defrag

eventvwr.msc - Event viewer

fsmgmt.msc - Shared folders

gpedit.msc - Group policies

lusrmgr.msc - Local users and groups

perfmon.msc - Performance monitor

rsop.msc - Resultant set of policies

secpol.msc - Local security settings

services.msc - Various Services

msconfig - System Configuration Utility

regedit - Registry Editor

msinfo32 _ System Information

sysedit _ System Edit

win.ini _ windows loading information(also system.ini)

winver _ Shows current version of windows

mailto: _ Opens default email client

command _ Opens command prompt

Run Commands to access the control panel

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Add/Remove Programs control appwiz.cpl

Date/Time Properties control timedate.cpl

Display Properties control desk.cpl

FindFast control findfast.cpl

Fonts Folder control fonts

Internet Properties control inetcpl.cpl

Keyboard Properties control main.cpl keyboard

Mouse Properties control main.cpl

Multimedia Properties control mmsys.cpl

Network Properties control netcpl.cpl

Password Properties control password.cpl

Printers Folder control printers

Sound Properties control mmsys.cpl sounds

System Properties control sysdm.cpl

Command Prompt

--------------------------------------------------------------

ANSI.SYS Defines functions that change display graphics, control cursor movement, and reassign keys.

APPEND Causes MS-DOS to look in other directories when editing a file or running a command.

ARP Displays, adds, and removes arp information from network devices.

ASSIGN Assign a drive letter to an alternate letter.

ASSOC View the file associations.

AT Schedule a time to execute commands or programs.

ATMADM Lists connections and addresses seen by Windows ATM call manager.

ATTRIB Display and change file attributes.

BATCH Recovery console command that executes a series of commands in a file.

BOOTCFG Recovery console command that allows a user to view, modify, and rebuild the boot.ini

BREAK Enable / disable CTRL + C feature.

CACLS View and modify file ACL's.

CALL Calls a batch file from another batch file.

CD Changes directories.

CHCP Supplement the International keyboard and character set information.

CHDIR Changes directories.

CHKDSK Check the hard disk drive running FAT for errors.

CHKNTFS Check the hard disk drive running NTFS for errors.

CHOICE Specify a listing of multiple options within a batch file.

CLS Clears the screen.

CMD Opens the command interpreter.

COLOR Easily change the foreground and background color of the MS-DOS window.

COMP Compares files.

COMPACT Compresses and uncompress files.

CONTROL Open control panel icons from the MS-DOS prompt.

CONVERT Convert FAT to NTFS.

COPY Copy one or more files to an alternate location.

CTTY Change the computers input/output devices.

DATE View or change the systems date.

DEBUG Debug utility to create assembly programs to modify hardware settings.

DEFRAG Re-arrange the hard disk drive to help with loading programs.

DEL Deletes one or more files.

DELETE Recovery console command that deletes a file.

DELTREE Deletes one or more files and/or directories.

DIR List the contents of one or more directory.

DISABLE Recovery console command that disables Windows system services or drivers.

DISKCOMP Compare a disk with another disk.

DISKCOPY Copy the contents of one disk and place them on another disk.

DOSKEY Command to view and execute commands that have been run in the past.

DOSSHELL A GUI to help with early MS-DOS users.

DRIVPARM Enables overwrite of original device drivers.

ECHO Displays messages and enables and disables echo.

EDIT View and edit files.

EDLIN View and edit files.

EMM386 Load extended Memory Manager.

ENABLE Recovery console command to enable a disable service or driver.

ENDLOCAL Stops the localization of the environment changes enabled by the setlocal command.

ERASE Erase files from computer.

EXIT Exit from the command interpreter.

EXPAND Expand a Microsoft Windows file back to it's original format.

EXTRACT Extract files from the Microsoft Windows cabinets.

FASTHELP Displays a listing of MS-DOS commands and information about them.

FC Compare files.

FDISK Utility used to create partitions on the hard disk drive.

FIND Search for text within a file.

FINDSTR Searches for a string of text within a file.

FIXBOOT Writes a new boot sector.

FIXMBR Writes a new boot record to a disk drive.

FOR Boolean used in batch files.

FORMAT Command to erase and prepare a disk drive.

FTP Command to connect and operate on a FTP server.

FTYPE Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations.

GOTO Moves a batch file to a specific label or location.

GRAFTABL Show extended characters in graphics mode.

HELP Display a listing of commands and brief explanation.

IF Allows for batch files to perform conditional processing.

IFSHLP.SYS 32-bit file manager.

IPCONFIG Network command to view network adapter settings and assigned values.

KEYB Change layout of keyboard.

LABEL Change the label of a disk drive.

LH Load a device driver in to high memory.

LISTSVC Recovery console command that displays the services and drivers.

LOADFIX Load a program above the first 64k.

LOADHIGH Load a device driver in to high memory.

LOCK Lock the hard disk drive.

LOGON Recovery console command to list installations and enable administrator login.

MAP Displays the device name of a drive.

MD Command to create a new directory.

MEM Display memory on system.

MKDIR Command to create a new directory.

MODE Modify the port or display settings.

MORE Display one page at a time.

MOVE Move one or more files from one directory to another directory.

MSAV Early Microsoft Virus scanner.

MSD Diagnostics utility.

MSCDEX Utility used to load and provide access to the CD-ROM.

NBTSTAT Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT

NET Update, fix, or view the network or network settings

NETSH Configure dynamic and static network information from MS-DOS.

NETSTAT Display the TCP/IP network protocol statistics and information.

NLSFUNC Load country specific information.

NSLOOKUP Look up an IP address of a domain or host on a network.

PATH View and modify the computers path location.

PATHPING View and locate locations of network latency.

PAUSE Command used in batch files to stop the processing of a command.

PING Test / send information to another network computer or network device.

POPD Changes to the directory or network path stored by the pushd command.

POWER Conserve power with computer portables.

PRINT Prints data to a printer port.

PROMPT View and change the MS-DOS prompt.

PUSHD Stores a directory or network path in memory so it can be returned to at any time.

QBASIC Open the QBasic.

RD Removes an empty directory.

REN Renames a file or directory.

RENAME Renames a file or directory.

RMDIR Removes an empty directory.

ROUTE View and configure windows network route tables.

RUNAS Enables a user to execute a program on another computer.

SCANDISK Run the scandisk utility.

SCANREG Scan registry and recover registry from errors.

SET Change one variable or string to another.

SETLOCAL Enables local environments to be changed without affecting anything else.

SETVER Change MS-DOS version to trick older MS-DOS programs.

SHARE Installs support for file sharing and locking capabilities.

SHIFT Changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch program.

SHUTDOWN Shutdown the computer from the MS-DOS prompt.

SMARTDRV Create a disk cache in conventional memory or extended memory.

SORT Sorts the input and displays the output to the screen.

START Start a separate window in Windows from the MS-DOS prompt.

SUBST Substitute a folder on your computer for another drive letter.

SWITCHES Remove add functions from MS-DOS.

SYS Transfer system files to disk drive.

TELNET Telnet to another computer / device from the prompt.

TIME View or modify the system time.

TITLE Change the title of their MS-DOS window.

TRACERT Visually view a network packets route across a network.

TREE View a visual tree of the hard disk drive.

TYPE Display the contents of a file.

UNDELETE Undelete a file that has been deleted.

UNFORMAT Unformat a hard disk drive.

UNLOCK Unlock a disk drive.

VER Display the version information.

VERIFY Enables or disables the feature to determine if files have been written properly.

VOL Displays the volume information about the designated drive.

XCOPY Copy multiple files, directories, and/or drives from one location to another.

TRUENAME When placed before a file, will display the whole directory in which it exists

TASKKILL It allows you to kill those unneeded or locked up applications

Windows XP Shortcuts

--------------------------------------------------------------

ALT+- (ALT+hyphen) Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu

ALT+ENTER View properties for the selected item

ALT+ESC Cycle through items in the order they were opened

ALT+F4 Close the active item, or quit the active program

ALT+SPACEBAR Display the System menu for the active window

ALT+TAB Switch between open items

ALT+Underlined letter Display the corresponding menu

BACKSPACE View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer

CTRL+A Select all

CTRL+B Bold

CTRL+C Copy

CTRL+I Italics

CTRL+O Open an item

CTRL+U Underline

CTRL+V Paste

CTRL+X Cut

CTRL+Z Undo

CTRL+F4 Close the active document

CTRL while dragging Copy selected item

CTRL+SHIFT while dragging Create shortcut to selected iteM

CTRL+RIGHT ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word

CTRL+LEFT ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word

CTRL+DOWN ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph

CTRL+UP ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph

SHIFT+DELETE Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin

ESC Cancel the current task

F1 Displays Help

F2 Rename selected item

F3 Search for a file or folder

F4 Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer

F5 Refresh the active window

F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop

F10 Activate the menu bar in the active program

SHIFT+F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item

CTRL+ESC Display the Start menu

SHIFT+CTRL+ESC Launches Task Manager

SHIFT when you insert a CD Prevent the CD from automatically playing

WIN Display or hide the Start menu

WIN+BREAK Display the System Properties dialog box

WIN+D Minimizes all Windows and shows the Desktop

WIN+E Open Windows Explorer

WIN+F Search for a file or folder

WIN+F+CTRL Search for computers

WIN+L Locks the desktop

WIN+M Minimize or restore all windows

WIN+R Open the Run dialog box

WIN+TAB Switch between open items

Windows Explorer Shortcuts

-------------------------------------------------------------

ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the current window?s system menu

SHIFT+F10 - Display the item's context menu

CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu

ALT+TAB - Switch to the window you last used

ALT+F4 - Close the current window or quit

CTRL+A - Select all items

CTRL+X - Cut selected item(s)

CTRL+C - Copy selected item(s)

CTRL+V - Paste item(s)

CTRL+Z - Undo last action

CTRL+(+) - Automatically resize the columns in the right hand pane

TAB - Move forward through options

ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Move forward to a previous view

ALT+LEFT ARROW - Move backward to a previous view

SHIFT+DELETE - Delete an item immediately

BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up

ALT+ENTER - View an item?s properties

F10 - Activate the menu bar in programs

F6 - Switch between left and right panes

F5 - Refresh window contents

F3 - Display Find application

F2 - Rename selected item

Internet Explorer Shortcuts

--------------------------------------------------------------

CTRL+A - Select all items on the current page

CTRL+D - Add the current page to your Favorites

CTRL+E - Open the Search bar

CTRL+F - Find on this page

CTRL+H - Open the History bar

CTRL+I - Open the Favorites bar

CTRL+N - Open a new window

CTRL+O - Go to a new location

CTRL+P - Print the current page or active frame

CTRL+S - Save the current page

CTRL+W - Close current browser window

CTRL+ENTER - Adds the http://www. (url) .com

SHIFT+CLICK - Open link in new window

BACKSPACE - Go to the previous page

ALT+HOME - Go to your Home page

HOME - Move to the beginning of a document

TAB - Move forward through items on a page

END - Move to the end of a document

ESC - Stop downloading a page

F11 - Toggle full-screen view

F5 - Refresh the current page

F4 - Display list of typed addresses

F6 - Change Address bar and page focus

ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Go to the next page

SHIFT+CTRL+TAB - Move back between frames

SHIFT+F10 - Display a shortcut menu for a link

SHIFT+TAB - Move back through the items on a page

CTRL+TAB - Move forward between frames

CTRL+C - Copy selected items to the clipboard

CTRL+V - Insert contents of the clipboard

ENTER - Activate a selected link

HOME - Move to the beginning of a document

END - Move to the end of a document

F1 - Display Internet Explorer Help

Grand Master

sundayx Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

oh this is one tip i find quite neat (sorry if its been mentioned)

hold shift and select thumbnail view, it removes the text under individual files in thumbnail view. do the same to return to toggle on/off

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