Tutorials

How to Use and Change a Screen Saver in Vista A screen Saver is a moving picture or pattern that appears on a computer screen when the mouse or keyboard has not been used for a specified period of time. Screen savers have the .scr file extension. This will show you how to setup, use, and change a screen saver in Vista.The default Screen Savers in Vista are located at: Screen Saver Location Aurora.scr C:\Windows\System32\Aurora.scr Bubbles.scr C:\Windows\System32\Bubbles.scr logon.scr (default Windows Logo) C:\Windows\System32\logon.scr Mystify.scr C:\Windows\System32\Mystify.scr PhotoScreensaver.scr (Photos) C:\Windows\System32\PhotoScreensaver.scr Ribbons.scr C:\Windows\System32\Ribbons.scr...

How to Show or Hide All Notification Area System Tray Icons in Vista This will show you how to hide or show all System Tray icons in the Notification area of the taskbar next to the clock. By default, Vista has all System Tray icons set to show.If you just want to hide or show individual System Tray icons, then see: How to Hide or Show a Notification Icon in Vista EXAMPLE: System Tray Icons Before and After EXAMPLE: Notification Area Properties Before and After NOTE: If the top Icons section is not grayed out, but one or more of the System icons are, then see How to Enable or Disable the Notification Area System Icons in Vista instead of this tutorial. Through the Local Group Policy Editor NOTE: This method is only available for...

How to Enable or Disable Clear Recent Document Items History on Exit This will show you how to enable or disable Vista to clear the recently opened documents history for when the current user account logs off. This way the Recent Items menu button on the Start menu is always empty when the user logs on. This is disable by default in Vista.If you have only one user account on your computer that is shared with other users, then this can be handy to keep each user's recently opened document history private when they log off or shutdown.This does not clear the Recent Programs history on exit. This will still need to be manually done. EXAMPLE: Recent Items Menu Button on the Start Menu Through the Local Group Policy Editor NOTE: This...

How to Clear the Recent Items List History in Vista This will show you how to clear the recently opened files and programs list in the normal and classic Start menu.The Recent Items folder is located at: NOTE: You will need to have Show hidden files and folders checked in Folder Options. C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items You can also open this location by typing shell:recent and in the white line (Start Search) area of the Start Menu and pressing Enter.When you open the Recent Items folder location above and you have a yellow folder named Recent instead of the default Recent Items folder with a icon, then right click on the Recent folder and click Delete. Type shell:recent in the white line (Start...

How to Create a "Clear Clipboard" Shortcut in Windows The Clipboard is a temporary storage area used by Vista and Windows 7. Information (such as text, files, graphics, sound, or video) can be copied to the Clipboard from one program or location and pasted elsewhere. The Clipboard can only hold one piece of information at a time. Whenever something is copied to the Clipboard, it replaces whatever was there before automatically. This tutorial will show you how to create or download a Clear Clipboard shortcut that will clear the contents of the clipboard when used in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. This can be handy if you just want to clear the Clipboard without having to copy something else to do so. This way you do not have...

How to Enable or Disable the Context Menu in Vista This will show you how to enable or disable the right click Context menu (see example below) for Windows Explorer, Desktop, and the All Programs section of the Start menu. This will affect all user accounts on the computer.By default the context menu is enabled in Vista. If you disable the context menu, then it will no longer be available for the above areas.The keyboard shortcut to open the context menu for the currently opened window is: Shift + F10 EXAMPLE: The Desktop, Windows Explorer, File, and Folder Context Menus NOTE: These are the context menus that will be enabled or disabled. Using a REG File Download 1. To Disable the Context Menu A) Click on the Download button below...

How to Save and Print a Directory List for a File and Folder in Vista This will show you how to easily create a file and folder directory list that you can print and save to disk as a file. You can include the name of every file on a drive, along with the file's size, date and time of last modification, and attributes (Read-Only, Hidden, System and Archive). The list of files can be sorted by name, size, date created, date last modified, or date of last access.This way you do not want to mess with the DIR command codes.I would recommend that you try the Save to Disk option first to adjust your settings and see how it looks in the text file. This way you will see how it will print before wasting any ink and paper in the Print option...

How to Add User Accounts Netplwiz to the Control Panel in Vista This will show you how to add the User Accounts Alternate icon, also known as netplwiz or control userpasswords2, to the Control Panel in Vista. EXAMPLE: Before and After User Accounts Alternate in Control Panel EXAMPLE: User Accounts Alternate (ntplwiz or control userpasswords2) NOTE: This is what the shortcut above will open. Here's How: 1. To Remove User Accounts Alternate A) Click the download button below to download the file below. Remove_User_Account_Alternate.reg https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/remove_user_account_alternate-reg.3085/ B) Go to step 3. 2. To Add User Accounts Alternate A) Click the download button below to download the file below...

How to Display Small or Large Icons in the Vista Start Menu This will show you how to have small or large icons displayed in the normal or classic Start menu in Vista. By default Vista has the Start menu displaying large icon. Having the Start menu display small icons will allow you to see more icons before you must use a sroll to see them. This will only affect the icons in the Pin area of the Start menu. For more about the Pin area, see: How to Pin a Program to the Start Menu in Vista and How to Pin a Folder to the Start Menu in Vista To change the icons in the other Start menu areas, change the Caption Buttons item size in step 6A and B to what you want here: How to Change the Advanced Appearance Settings in Vista EXAMPLE...

How to Create a Lock Computer Shortcut in Vista This will show you how to create a shortcut to Lock the computer. You can place this shortcut where you like for easy usage.When you lock the computer, there is also a Switch User option in the lock computer Security Screen as well.If you would like to create a keyboard shortcut key for this new Lock Computer shortcut, then see: How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in Vista EXAMPLE: Default Lock Location in the Start Menu NOTE: The default Lock keyboard shortcut is Windows Key + L. Download the "Lock Computer" Shortcut 1. Click on the download button below to download the Lock.zip file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/lock-zip.1038/ 2. Click on Save and save it to...

How to Fix Multiple Browser Windows Open When You Click On a MailTo Link in Vista This will show you how to fix the multiple browser windows opening when you click on a MailTo link and get this error. ERROR MESSAGE: Action Cancelled. Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed. To Stop the Multiple Browser Windows from Opening OPTION ONE: Using a REG File Download 1. Click on the Download button to download the file below. Fix_Mulitiple_Browser_Windows.reg https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/fix_multiple_browser_windows-reg.1634/ 2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop. 3. Right click the .reg (on desktop) file and click on Merge. 4. Click on the Run button in the...

How to Select Files Using a Check Box in Vista Windows Explorer This will show you how to turn on or off the option to select a file or multiple files in Windows Explorer with a check box. This is turned off by default.The usual default way to select multiple files is to either right click and drag a highlight over them or press and hold the Ctrl key and click the files to highlight them. EXAMPLE: Here's How: 1. Open Folder Options. 2. Click on the View tab. (See screenshot below) 3. To Turn On Check Box Selection A) Check the Use check boxes to select items box. (See screenshot below step 5) 4. To Turn Off Check Box Selection A) Uncheck the Use check boxes to select items box. 5. Click OK to apply and close properties...

How to Set Windows Defender Automatic Scanning Schedule in Vista This will show you how to set Windows Defender automatic scanning schedule options and how to allow Windows Defender to wakeup the computer to run the scheduled scan, or run the scan the next time you start or wakeup the computer.Obviously Windows Defender will need to be turned on to allow automatic scanning. ;) Set Windows Defender Automatic Scanning Options 1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View) 2. Click on the Windows Defender icon. 3. Click on Tools at the top. (See screenshot below) 4. Click on Options in the main window. 5. To Turn Off Automatic Scanning NOTE: If you turn off automatic scanning, then you will have to manually run Windows Defender scan. A)...

How to Open and Use Favorite Links in Vista Favorite Links is inside the Navigation Pane in a Windows Explorer window. It contains shortcut links to the Documents, Pictures, Music, Recently Changed, Searches, and Public folders by default. For more information see: Microsoft Help and Support: Article KB926167 You can add any shortcut you like to use here as well. See below for how.Default Favorite Links Locations Documents - C:\Users\(your username)\Documents NOTE: This is the Documents folder for your user account. Music - C:\Users\(your username)\Music NOTE: This is the Music folder for your user account. Pictures - C:\Users\(your username)\Pictures NOTE: This is the Pictures folder for your user account. Public - C:\Users\Public...

How to Create "Delete Browsing History" in Internet Explorer Shortcuts This will show you how to create or download shortcuts to delete the Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, History, Form Data, Saved Passwords, All Browsing history, and All Browsing and Add-ons history. EXAMPLE: Manual Internet Explorer Browsing History Delete Window NOTE: You will be creating shortcuts for these below. Left screenshot is for IE8, and right screenshot is for IE9, IE10, and IE11. You can press the CTRL+Shift+Delete keys to open the Delete Browsing History window. To Download "Delete Browsing History" Shortcuts NOTE: These are all of the shortcuts listed below in OPTION TWO. 1. Click/tap on the download button below to download...

How to Copy the Full Path of a File or Folder in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to copy the full path of a file or folder into the clipboard as text so you can paste it where you want.If you would like to add or remove Copy as Path from the Context menu, then see: How to Add or Remove Copy as Path from the Vista Context Menu EXAMPLE: The Copy as Path of a file "C:\Users\Moderator\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Shows Desktop.lnk" From the Context Menu 1. Navigate to the file or folder you want to copy the full path of. 2. Press and hold the Shift key, then right click on the file or folder. 3. Click on Copy as Path. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This copies the full path of the file or folder...

How to Send a Message to Another User in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to send a message to another user that is connected to your computer locally or by network on the same workgroup. For just another user account on the same computer, the message will pop-up the next time that user account logs on.You can only do this from within an administrator account. Here's How: 1. Open Task Manager. NOTE: Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, or right click on the Taskbar and click on Task Manager. 2. Click on the Process tab. (See screenshot below step 5) 3. Click on Show processes from all users. (See screenshot below step 5) NOTE: This elevates the Task Manager. If you do step 3, then you will receive this error below when you try to send...

How to Log Off a Local User in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to select and log off a user connected locally to your computer from within your adminsitrator account using Task Manager.For example, this would be another user account on your computer logged on by switch user.You must be an administrator, or apply the administrator password to do this. Here's How: 1. Open Task Manager. NOTE: Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, or right click on the taskbar and click on Task Manager. 2. Click on the Process tab. (see screenshot below step 5) 3. Click on Show processes from all users. (see screenshot below) This elevates the Task Manager. If you do not this, then you will receive this error when you try to log off the user: User username...

How to Disconnect a Network User Connection in Vista This will show you how to select and disconnect a user connected to your computer through a network.This acts the same as logging off a locally logged on user.You must be an administrator, or apply the administrator password to do this. Here's How: 1. Open Task Manager. NOTE: Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, or right click on the Taskbar and click on Task Manager. 2. Click on the Process tab. (See screenshot below step 4) 3. Click on Show processes from all users. NOTE: This elevates the Task Manager. If you do not this, then you will receive this error when you try to disconnect the user: User username (SessionId=2) could not be disconnected. Access is denied. 4. Click on Continue in the...

How to Change the Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names in Vista This will show you how to change the default sort order in Windows Explorer for files and folders that contain numbers in their name so that they will be sorted by the number instead of the number's numeric value. For more information, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB319827 By default, the sort order in Vista considers strings in file and folder names as numeric content, not text. Numerals in folder and file names are sorted according to their numeric value. In the example below, 401 is a numerically higher value than 6. Therefore, the Ie401sp2.txt file is listed after the Ie6.txt file when you the files are sorted by name in ascending order. In the example...