Tutorials

How to Fix the BootMGR is Compressed Message at Boot Why does this BootMGR is Compressed message appears at boot? Well, for some bizzare reason, Vista also compresses the BOOTMGR when you select (check) to Compress this drive to save data space option on the C: drive. When BootMGR is compressed Vista cannot boot from it. This will show you how to fix this boot error. Here's How: 1. First of all, boot from your retail Vista or Windows 7 installation DVD, or from you bootable Vista USB or Windows 7 USB installation thumb key. ( By pressing Esc and f8 ) NOTE: If you do not have a retail installation disc, then you can create a Vista recovery disc or Windows 7 system repair disc to use to do the steps below with instead. 2. Now you wait while it is loading the files. NOTE: If it says BootMGR is compressed while booting Windows Vista CD, then go to BIOS, (Normally by pressing f12), load manufactory defaults, and change the Boot Priority, so that the Hard Drive is the first to be loaded. 3. When you boot on Windows 7/Vista DVD/USB, select Repair your computer. 4. Select your OS, and click on LOAD DRIVES. 5. A box should now appear. Click on Yes. 6. After that, navigate back to the local drive C: , and right click on it and click on Properties and the Advanced tab. 7. UNCHECK the Compress this Drive To Save Space option, then repeat this again. 8. Do step 6 and 7 for the local drive "X" as well, UNCHECK if it is Checked. 9. Now you double click on the local drive C: , and see if there is anything named with Blue text. 10. If there is, then repeat step 7. NOTE: After you've done that, you can normally Re-Boot your Computer, and there you go, it is Done. Problem Solved.

How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to set a file extension to be associated with nothing for all users instead of some default program without having to delete the file extension unless you wanted to. This is a standalone EXE program that does not install to your computer. CREDIT TO: Ramesh Srinivasan -www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/ Here's How: 1. Download the free unassoc.zip file and save it to your desktop. 2. Right click on unassoc.zip (On Desktop) and click Open. 3. Extract both files to the desktop. (See screenshot below) 4. Click on the Unassoc.exe icon to run the program. NOTE: I would recommend that you put these two files in a new folder and save them in your C:\Program Files folder, then make a shortcut for the Unassoc.exe to use. 5. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt. 6. To Unassociate a File Extension Type A) Click on a file extension type from the list in the left pane to select it. (See screenshot below step 7) B) Click on Remove file association (User). 7. To Delete a File Extension Type A) Click on a file extension type from the list in the left pane to select it. (See screenshot) B) Click on Delete file type. 8. Close program when done. That's it, Shawn How to Associate a Individual File Extension Type With a Program in Vista How to Set Default Associations For a Program in Vista How to Show and Change a File Name Extension in Vista How to Add a Program to Open With in Vista How to Change a File Extension Type Icon in Vista Restore Default Vista File Extension Type Associations How to Add "Show/Hide Known File Extensions" to Context Menu in Vista and Windows 7

How to Create a Complete Computer Backup and Restore Image in Vista Windows Complete PC Backup creates a backup image, which contains copies of your programs, system settings, and files. The backup image is then stored in a separate location from the original programs, settings, and files. You can use this backup image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk or entire computer ever stops working. For more information, see: Windows Help and How-to: Back up your programs, system settings, and filesBACKUP LOCATION: A) If you want to delete or copy the entire WindowsImageBackup folder to save it to another location to keep a copy of it, you will need to open each subfolder in the WindowsImageBackup folder and grant access permission to them first by clicking Continue twice for eace folder. You will then be able to copy this folder like any other folder. You may want to do this because when a new Complete PC Backup is made it can overwrite the previous Complete PC Backup with the differences to create the new backup. Backups are saved in a folder with this format: (backup drive letter)\WindowsImageBackup\(your computer name)\Backup (year-month-day) (time) If the backup was done on Local Disk D: at 9/7/2007 1:00:50 PM (It uses 24 hour time), then the full backup file path would be: D:\WindowsImageBackup\Computer\Backup 2007-09-07 130050 You would right click the folder Backup 2007-09-07 130050 and click Delete to delete that backup. B) To delete all but the most recent Complete PC Backup, you can use Disk Cleanup. You will just need to select the drive that the complete PC backups are stored on and select the More Options tab. C) To delete the Complete PC Backup completely, you just need to take ownership of the WindowsImageBackup folder and subfolders. Afterwards, you will be able to delete the folder. Windows Complete PC Backup is only available in the Vista Enterprise, Ultimate, and Business editions. Vista cannot backup the partition or drive that you are saving the complete backup to. If you dual boot with Windows XP, then everytime you start in XP the System Restore Points and all except the most recent Complete PC Backup files in Vista get deleted. For how, see: How to Stop System Restore Points from being Deleted in Vista when Dual Booting with XP You cannot restore a 32 bit Vista version complete pc backup on a 64 bit Vista version, or the other way around. Here's How: 1. Open Control Panel. (Classic View) 2. Click on the Backup and Restore Center icon. 3. Click on the Back up Computer button. (See screenshot below) 4. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt. 5. You will see this for a moment as Vista searches for backup devices. (See screenshot below) 6. Dot the location to save the backup image to. (See screenshot below) WARNING: Vista cannot backup the partition or drive that you are saving the complete backup to. A) On a Hard Disk: For saving to a different hard drive or partition. NOTE: You cannot save the backup image on the same partition as Vista is installed on. It can only be saved on another partition, a separate hard drive, USB device (external hard drive), or on multiple DVDs. If you wish to create a new partition for backups, then see: How to Shrink and Create a Partition with Disk Management in Vista B) On One or More DVDs: For saving to multiple DVDs that are bigger than 1 GB in size each. C) Click on Next. 7. Click Start backup to confirm the backup settings and start the backup process. (See screenshots below) NOTE: This will tell you how much space will be used on the other hard drive, or how many DVDs it will take. WARNING: If you have a previous complete PC backup in this location, this complete backup will only backup the differences between now and when the previous backup was made. (See the right screenshot below) 8. You will now see this window. (See screenshot below) 9. If you selected On One or More DVDs (step 6), then this window will pop-up asking for the first DVD. (See screenshot below) A) Insert a blank DVD into the DVD drive and click on OK. NOTE: It will continue to ask for DVDs until it is finished. See step 7 to see how many DVDs will be required. 10. When the backup is completed it will let you know. Click on Close. 11. Close the Control Panel window. That's it, Shawn How to Extract Vista System Image Files Using Virtual PC 2007 How to Restore the Complete Computer from a Complete Backup and Restore Image in Vista How to Create a System Restore Point in Vista How to Backup Files with Optional Automatic Backups in Vista How to Restore Previous Versions of a File and Folder in Vista How to Reset the Last Backup Listing for Vista Complete PC Backup How to Reset the Last Backup Listing for Vista Back Up Files How to Enable or Disable Backup Status and Configuration in Vista How to Backup Specific Files in Vista Like NT Backup in XP

How to Hide or Unhide a Windows Update in Vista This will show you how to hide a Windows Update so it will not show up again in the available updates list to be installed. You can unhide the Windows Update to allow it to be in the list again if you wanted to install it later.For a complete list of Windows Updates with descriptions, see: ITsVISTA: Windows Updates How to Hide a Windows Update 1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View) 2. Click on the Windows Update icon. 3. Click on View available updates. (See screenshot below) 4. Right click on the update you want to hide, and click Hide update. (See screenshot below) 5. Click the red X button in the upper right corner to close the window. How to Unhide a Windows Update 1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View) 2. Click on the Windows Update Icon. 3. Click on Restore hidden updates. (See screenshot below) 4. Check the update you want to restore and click Restore button. (See screenshot below) 5. You will now be taken back to the original Update window with Windows Update checking for updates. (See screenshot below) 6. When done, your hidden update will now be listed in the available update list. That's it, Shawn How to Uninstall a Windows Update in Vista How to Turn Windows Update Automatic Updating On or Off in Vista How to Enable or Disable Windows Update Start Menu Power Button Alert in Vista How to Add or Remove Install Updates and Shut Down to the Vista Start Menu How to Fix the Windows Update 80246005 Error in Vista How to Reset Windows Update in Windows 7 and Vista

How to Restore Missing Default New Context Menu Items in Vista This will show you how to restore any nonworking or missing default menu items from in the New context (right click) menu. This includes the Folder, Shortcut, Bitmap Image, Contact, Rich Text Document, Text Document, and Briefcase menu items.This will restore the entire default key entry in the registry for the menu item that is missing in the New context menu. For more about the ShellNew key and how to add a menu item of your own, see:How to Add and Remove a New Menu Item in VistaIf New is missing from the context menu, then see: How to Restore or Remove New from the Context Menu in Vista and continue this tutorial to restore any missing menu items in the New menu.EXAMPLE: New Context Menu with Default Menu Items NOTE: You can only see this New context menu when you right click on a empty space on the desktop or on a empty space in a Windows Explorer window. Here's How: Select and download the New menu item(s) REG file(s) that is not working or is missing to restore them back to the New context menu item list. 1. To Restore Folder A) Click on the download button below to download the Restore_Folder.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/restore_folder-reg.12663/ 2. To Restore Shortcut A) Click on the download button below to download the Restore_Shortcut.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/restore_shortcut-reg.5535/ 3. To Restore Bitmap Image A) Click on the download button below to download the Restore_Bitmap_Image.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/restore_bitmap_image-reg.5159/ 4. To Restore Contact A) Click on the download button below to download the Restore_Contact.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/restore_contact-reg.5161/ 5. To Restore Rich Text Document A) Click on the download button below to download the Restore_Rich_Text_Document.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/restore_rich_text_document-reg.5163/ 6. To Restore Text Document A) Click on the download button below to download the Restore_Text_Document.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/restore_text_document-reg.8992/ 7. To Restore Briefcase A) Click on the download button below to download the Restore_Briefcase.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/restore_briefcase-reg.5160/ 8. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop. 9. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge. 10. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted. 11. Restart the computer to apply the changes. 12. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file(s) if you like. That's it, Shawn How to Add and Remove a New Menu Item in Vista How to Restore or Remove New from the Context Menu in Vista How to Fix the New Folder Context Menu Item in Vista How to Enable or Disable the Context Menu in Vista Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix How to Fix the New Shortcut Context Menu Item in Vista

How to Delete a Service in Windows This will show you how to delete a service of your choice from the Services window.This can be handy if a program (ex: antivirus) that you installed added a service, and it was not removed from Services due to it not uninstalling properly, or you just want to delete unused services to make it easier to modify the other services.Once you delete a service, it is gone from Vista. I would strongly recommend that you create a restore point before doing this just in case you need to restore the deleted service. The only other way to restore the deleted service is to reinstall Vista, or the program that added the service. Here's How: 1. Open the Start Menu, then type services in the search box and press Enter. (see screenshot below) 2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7). 3. Right click on the service that you want to delete and click on Properties. (see screenshot below) 4. Stopped and Disabled the service. 5. Right click on the service name and click on Copy, then click on the Cancel button. (see screenshot below) NOTE: This is to add the service name to the clipboard so that we can paste it in the command prompt later in step 8. The exact service name in Properties (step 3) must be used in the command prompt. 6. Close the Services window. (see screenshot below step 3) 7. Open a elevated command prompt. 8. In the elevated command prompt, type sc delete "(right click and click on Paste from step 5)" and press Enter. (see screenshot below) NOTE: Substitute Service Name with the Pasted copy of the name from step 5 above. sc delete "Service Name" For example: If I wanted to delete the service name RemoteRegistry (step 5), I would type the command below exactly, and press Enter. sc delete "RemoteRegistry" 9. Close the elevated command prompt when done. NOTE: When you open Services again, the deleted service will no longer be listed. That's it, Shawn How to Disable or Enable Vista Services with an Advice Guide How to Customize and Save the View in the Services Window in Vista How to Enable or Disable the Services MMC Snap-in How to Restore Default Services in Windows 7 How to Add or Remove "Services" from Control Panel in Windows

How to Replace a System Program without Modifying System Files or Permissions If you like to use replacements for system programs like notepad.exe or calc.exe then this is for you. This will show you how to use a popular replacement for notepad.exe or any other exe by using "Image File Execution Options" key in your registry. You must have Administrator privileges to edit the registry key and these settings affect all users but this is very simple, does NOT involve taking over file permissions, does NOT involve replacement of any files, and is VERY easily reversible. This works for Windows NT/2K/XP/Server 2K3/Vista/Server 2K8/Win7IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) If you use this to replace example.exe, ANY program named example.exe located anywhere will execute the replacement instead of itself. 2) If you used 'App Paths' to point to a different executable, then it bypasses this method since windows doesn't try to run the original exe 3) On x64 systems, the key for 32-bit apps is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options DESCRIPTION: The 'Image File Execution Options' registry key is used by the NT family originally for debugging applications. Conveniently, we can use this method to run another command and pass the name of the executable to it instead. The problem is that you need some way to execute a command but skip one argument since most applications are not aware that one parameter is meaningless. Here I show several examples of how to accomplish this. DETAILS: Under the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Optionscreate a subkey with the name of the exe you want replaced. Add a string value called Debugger. Modify Debugger with the command you want run. When any user tries to run any executable with the name of the subkey, Windows executes the Debugger command with path\name of the original exe and all command line parameters appended. (Did that make sense?) TEST: Create a subkey named 'notepad.exe' Add the string value Debugger Double click Debugger and enter cmd /k echo when you double click on c:\some.txt the command that is executed is cmd /k echo "C:\windows\system32\notepad.exe" c:\some.txt EXAMPLE PROGRAMS TO REPLACE: 1) notepad.exe This may be the most widely replaced system file for 3rd party apps. 2) calc.exe 3) mspaint.exe 4) telnet.exe 5) regedit.exe 6) cmd.exe The list just goes on and on... HOW TO: There are countless methods to accomplish this. 1) You could have a custom app which launches the replacement program and is designed to skip a certain command line argument (This requires programming by someone) 2) You could use a batch file to skip one argument. This is an ugly option since it opens a console window to run the batch file and depending on the program it runs, may not close until the replacement program finishes. (This requires you to put the arguments in a certain order and also limits you to 8 arguments) 3) You could modify the source of a program to skip the first argument passed 4) My preferred method is a vbscript because it runs hidden, can be edited easily, and is versatile. Below are two scripts that I wrote to demonstrate how to replace as many programs as you desire. To use either one save the appropriate attachment or save the code below. (Open notepad, copy code below, paste into notepad, save with a .vbs extension. Make sure you change type to 'All Files' or notepad will save it with .vbs.txt) UNINSTALL: To revert to the original system program, simply delete the named key under 'Image File Execution Options' key EXAMPLE 1: IFEO.vbs Features: Open source :p Single script to handle all replacement commands No extra windows Option to have wscript.exe wait to terminate until the replacement program ends Optionally specify folder to run command from All relevant configuration is saved inside the script so this is more easily ported to another system. '// DISCLAIMER '// THIS COMES WITH NO WARRANTY, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK '// IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE EDITING THE REGISTRY THEN DO NOT USE THIS SCRIPT '// '// NOTES: '// This affects all users, the same key under HKCU did not work for me '// This vbscript was written by selyb on 08-28-09 '// This txt looks no good with word wrap on :-P '// '// Save this text to your hdd as a text file named *.vbs e.g. "C:\IFEO.vbs" (some AV don't like vbs, get a different AV :-P ) '// '// USAGE '// 1) '// Navigate to registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ '// '// 2) '// Add new subkey with the name of the executable you want replaced (no path) e.g. notepad.exe '// This step is what tells windows to use the replacement exe, to undo simply delete the key you created '// '// 3) '// Create new Sting Value called Debugger '// '// 4) '// Modify value and enter wscript.exe "path to this vbs" e.g. wscript.exe "C:\IFEO.vbs" '// '// 5) '// Under DEFINITIONS section below, create a new definition using an example as a template '// If you add the registry entry and then try to execute it without creating a definition, '// this file will open automatically in notepad '// The definitions below will do NOTHING without the corresponding subkey created in step 2 Option Explicit Dim sCmd, sFol, x, bWait, W Set W = CreateObject("WScript.Shell") sCmd = Split(WScript.Arguments(0), "\") x = LCase(sCmd(UBound(sCmd))) bWait = False Select Case x '// DEFINITIONS '// Map '// This must be lower case and must be the exact same name of the subkey you created in the registry ' Case "notepad.exe" '// This is the command to be executed, you can put command line parameters here too ' sCmd = "replacement.exe" '// This is the path you want the command executed from (may be omitted) ' sFol = "C:\Program Files\Replacement" '// If true, wscript.exe will not terminate until the replacement is closed (False if omitted) '// I needed this true with notepad.exe because 7-zip would delete the file before the replacement would open it >:-/ ' bWait = True '// example 1 (remove the single quot marks after you paste) 'Case "notepad.exe" 'sCmd = "replacement.exe /y /z" 'sFol = "C:\Program Files\Replacement" 'bWait = True '// example 2 (If sCmd has a space in the name, you need triple quotes) 'Case "calc.exe" 'sCmd = """C:\Users\My Name\Downloads\newcalc.exe""" '// example 3 (If sCmd has a space and you need additional command line params, it gets complicated) 'Case "taskmgr.exe" 'sCmd """C:\one folder\two folder\new app.exe"" /x /y /z" 'sFol """C:\windows\system32" '// END OF DEFINITIONS Case else W.Run "notepad.exe """ & WScript.ScriptFullName & """", 8, False WScript.Sleep(2000) WScript.Echo x & " not defined yet." & vbNewLine & "Please add definition for it." WScript.Quit End Select If LenB(sFol) Then W.CurrentDirectory = sFol For x = 1 To WScript.Arguments.Count - 1 sCmd = sCmd & " """ & WScript.Arguments(x) & """" Next W.Run sCmd, 1, bWait WScript.Quit EXAMPLE 2: Skip.vbs Features: Open source :p Single script to handle all replacement commands No extra windows Option to have wscript.exe wait to terminate until the replacement program ends Optionally specify folder to run command from All configuration is saved in the registry so no script editing is not necessary. Usage: Create a key under 'Image File Execution Options' for the exe you want to replace. Create a String Value called Debugger The Debugger Value must contain each of these things in this exact order for this script. wscript.exe must be called to run the script Path to where this script is saved including the name of the script Path to folder to run the program from (this is required, even if its only ".") Path to replacement program including the name of the exe True|False (should wscript.exe wait for the replacement program to finish before it exits wscript.exe "Path to script" "Folder to run from" "replacement program" True|False e.g. wscript.exe "C:\some folder\skip.vbs" ".\" "myprogram.exe /arg1 /arg2 -arg3 arg4" False or wscript.exe "C:\skip.vbs" . replaced.exe True'// DISCLAIMER '// THIS COMES WITH NO WARRANTY, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK '// IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE EDITING THE REGISTRY THEN DO NOT USE THIS SCRIPT '// '// NOTES: '// This affects all users, the same key under HKCU did not work for me '// This vbscript was written by selyb on 08-28-09 '// This txt looks no good with word wrap on :-P '// '// Save this text to your hdd as a text file named *.vbs e.g. "C:\IFEO.vbs" (some AV don't like vbs, get a different AV :-P ) Option Explicit Dim x, sFol, W, sCmd, bWait, sArg Set W = CreateObject("WScript.Shell") sFol = WScript.Arguments(0) sCmd = Quot(WScript.Arguments(1)) bWait = CBool(WScript.Arguments(2)) If WScript.Arguments.Count > 4 Then For x = 4 To WScript.Arguments.Count - 1 sCmd = sCmd & " " & Quot(WScript.Arguments(x)) Next End If W.CurrentDirectory = sFol W.Run sCmd, 1, bWait WScript.Quit Function Quot(str) If InStrB(str, " ") Then Quot = """" & str & """" Else Quot = str End Function EXAMPLE 3: custom.vbs Suppose you installed a program called "Example" to "C:\Program Files\Example\" and you want to replace notepad.exe with it. You would take this code and save it to "C:\Program Files\Example\example.vbs"Option Explicit '// Declare variables Dim x ' old bad habit, I use this for general temporary variables Dim W ' This will be the WSHShell object Dim sCmd ' This will be the command to run '// Create WSHShell object Set W = CreateObject("WScript.Shell") '// Set the working directory to the one this script resides in '// If the target program doesn't care where it is run from then you don't need the following line W.CurrentDirectory = LeftB(WScript.ScriptFullName, LenB(WScript.ScriptFullName) - LenB(WScript.ScriptName)) '// Set the target executable sCmd = "example.exe" '// Skip the first argument but grab all the rest If WScript.Arguments.Count > 1 Then For x = 1 To WScript.Arguments.Count - 1 '// If the argument contains a space then enclose it with "" If InStrB(WScript.Arguments(x), " ") Then sCmd = sCmd & " """ & WScript.Arguments(x) & """" Else sCmd = sCmd & " " & WScript.Arguments(x) End If Next End If '// Run the command '// The number after the command determines how the window should be initially (google WSHShell.Run) '// The boolean at the end determines whether this script should run the target then exit or wait until the target exits W.Run sCmd, 1, False You would then create a key under "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Image File Execution Options\" called "notepad.exe" Under this key you would create a String value called "Debugger" with this data wscript.exe "C:\Program Files\Example\example.vbs" As long as this string contains this data, any program called "notepad.exe" that is run on this computer by any user will execute "example.exe" instead. CLOSING: If anyone has any suggestions about any aspect of this tutorial, please don't hesitate to comment. Thanks to the mod who made my tut prettier and fixed the main icon

How to Restore Missing Default Start Menu Shortcuts in Vista This will provide you with separate downloads that include all of the All Programs default shortcuts in the Start menu for each edition of Vista so you can either restore all of the shortcuts or just the ones you need.A Start Menu shortcuts download for the Vista Enterprise edition is not included in this tutorial. You can use the download for Ultimate in it's place. EXAMPLE: Start menu All Programs for Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate NOTE: To compare and see the features in each edition of Vista, see: Windows Vista Editions Overview and The Vista Editions Comparison Table To Restore Default Start Menu Shortcuts used by Current User Only NOTE: All 32 bit and 64 bit editions of Vista have these same single current user default Start menu shortcuts. You will also need to download the All Users Default Shortcuts for your edition of Vista in STEP TWO below. 1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Single_User_Shortcuts.zip https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/single_user_shortcuts-zip.4338/ 2. Save the Single_User_Shortcuts.zip file to the desktop. 3. Right click on the Single_User_Shortcuts.zip file (on desktop) and click on Open. 4. Click on Allow in the UAC prompt. 5. Extract the Single_User_Shortcuts folder to the desktop. 6. Right click on the Start button and click on Open or Explore, not Open/Explore All Users. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This will open this hidden Start Menu folder in Windows Explorer: C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 7. To Restore All Default Single User Start Menu Shortcuts A) Open the Single_User_Shortcuts folder (on desktop) and right click on the Programs folder and click on Copy. B) Right click on a empty space in the Windows Explore window and click on Paste. (See screenshot above) C) Click on Yes and Copy and Replace to confirm the copying of the default shortcuts and desktop.ini files. 8. To Restore Just the Single User Shortcuts You Want A) Open the Single_User_Shortcuts folder (on desktop) and manually copy the shortcuts you want over to the Start menu location in the Programs folder in the Windows Explorer window location above. (See screenshot below step 6) To Restore Default Start Menu Shortcuts Shared by All Users NOTE: You will just need to select the download for your edition of Vista. You will also need to do STEP ONE above to restore the Single User default Start Menu shortcuts. 1. For Vista 32 bit or 64 bit Home Basic A) Click on the download button below to download the file below. All_Users_Home_Basic.zip https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/all_users_home_basic-zip.4334/ B) Go to step 5. 2. For Vista 32 bit or 64 bit Home Premium A) Click on the download button below to download the file below. All_Users_Home_Premium.zip https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/all_users_home_premium-zip.4335/ B) Go to step 5. 3. For Vista 32 bit or 64 bit Business A) Click on the download button below to download the file below. All_Users_Business.zip https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/all_users_business-zip.4336/ B) Go to step 5. 4. For Vista 32 bit or 64 bit Ultimate A) Click on the download button below to download the file below. All_Users_Ultimate.zip https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/all_users_ultimate-zip.4337/ 5. Save the ZIP file to the desktop. 6. Right click on the ZIP file (on desktop) and click on Open. 7. Click on Allow in the UAC prompt. 8. Extract the All_Users_(Vista Edition) folder to the desktop. 9. Right click on the Start button and click on Open All Users or Explore All Users, not Open/Explore. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This will open this hidden Start Menu folder in Windows Explorer: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 10. To Restore All Default All Users Start Menu Shortcuts A) Open the All_Users_(Vista Edition) folder (on desktop) and highlight the Programs folder, Default Programs shortcut, and Windows Update shortcut, then right click on them and click on Copy. B) Right click on a empty space in the Windows Explore window and click on Paste. (See screenshot above) C) Click on Yes and Copy and Replace to confirm the copying of the default shortcuts and desktop.ini files. 11. To Restore Just the All Users Shortcuts You Want A) Open the All_Users_(Vista Edition) folder (on desktop) and manually copy the shortcuts you want over to the Start menu location in the Programs folder in the Windows Explorer window location above. (See screenshot below step 9) That's it, Shawn How to Customize the Start Menu in Vista How to Display Small or Large Icons in the Vista Start Menu How to Enable or Disable the All Programs List in the Vista Start Menu How to Restore the Start Menu Search Button after Installing the Vista SP1 How to Enable or Disable the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window in Vista How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder From the Start Menu in Vista How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista How to Restore the Administrative Tools Shortcuts in Vista How to Fix the Games Explorer Link in the Vista Start Menu Game Shortcut Links in Games Explorer Do Not Work

How to Add a Tray Icon for Windows Mail This program will add a system tray icon that will allow Windows Mail to be minimized to the tray icon allowing you to be notified of new messages without Windows Mail being on the taskbar.This program will not integrate into Windows Mail, but is a stand alone EXE program that works with Windows Mail. WinMailTray Current Download Site: http://www.msblog.org/download/WinMailTray.zip Written by: Kristan Kenney Confessions of a Windows Enthusiast Another free program that has a few more features is Windows Mail Tray Icon. How to Install WinMailTray 1. Click on the Download button below to download the WinMailTray.zip file from the Current download site above. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/winmailtray-zip.23458/ 2. Click on Save and save it to your Desktop. 3. Right click on the downloaded WinMailTray.zip file and click on Properties. 4. Click on Unblock and OK to apply. (See screenshot below) 5. Right click on the downloaded WinMailTray.zip file and click on Open. 6. Extract the WinMailTray.exe (Inside WinMailTray.zip) to the Desktop. 7. Delete the downloaded WinMailTray.zip folder when done extracting WinMailTray.exe. 8. Go to C:\Program Files in Windows Explorer. NOTE: This is for adding a folder to put WinMailTray.exe in later. 9. Right click in a empty area and click New and click Folder. 10. Click on Continue in Access Denied pop-up. 11. Click on Continue in UAC pop-up. 12. Type WinMailTray and press Enter. 13. Click on Continue in Access Denied pop-up. 14. Click on Continue in UAC pop-up. 15. Right click on the extracted WinMailTray.exe file and click on Cut. 16. Go back to C:\Program Files\WinMailTray and right click on a empty area and click Paste. NOTE: This is to put WinMailTray.exe inside the WinMailTray folder. 17. Click on Continue in Access Denied pop-up. 18. Click on Continue in UAC pop-up. 19. In C:\Program Files\WinMailTray, right click on WinMailTray.exe and click Send To and click Desktop (create shortcut). 20. Place the shortcut (on desktop) where you like to be able to run WinMailTray when you like. NOTE: Place a copy of the shortcut in your Startup folder in the Start menu and All Programs if you want WinMailTray to run at startup. 21. Click on the shortcut to open WinMailTray. 22. Open Windows Mail from WinMailTray icon on traybar. NOTE: You will now see an envelope in the Tray notification area with these options below: How to Use WinMailTray 1. Have WinMailTray running. NOTE: WinMailTray must be running to be able to Hide (minimize) Windows Mail to the tray icon. 2. Right click the WinMailTray white envelope tray icon. NOTE: The Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons on Windows Mail will still work as they always have. You must use the tray icon's options to minimize to the tray icon and not the taskbar. 3. Click on Open Windows Mail to open Window Mail. NOTE: You can still open Windows Mail from the normal Windows Mail shortcut for WinMailTray icon to work. 4. Click on Hide to leave Windows Mail open and minimize it to the tray icon instead of the taskbar. NOTE: Clicking Minimize on Windows Mail will still just minimize it to the taskbar. You must use the tray icon options. 5. Click on Show to maximize Windows Mail again. 6. New Mail Message is to open Windows Mail's Create a new E-mail. 7. The rest of the options are self explanatory. How to Uninstall WinMailTray 1. Go to the location (above) where you saved the WinMailTray.exe file toand delete it. NOTE: Example: C:\Program Files\WinMailTray 2. Delete any shortcuts you have of it, including the Startup folder in Start Menu and All Programs if you put a shortcut there to. That's it, Shawn How to Fix Most Problems with Vista's "Windows Mail"

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista or Windows 7 This will show you how to use and run Check Disk or chkdsk at startup from within Vista, the command prompt, and the registry to check for corruption and possibly repair errors and bad sectors on the hard drive.If you had changed your default boot screen, then you will need to temporarily uncheck the No GUI boot to be able to see what is happening when chkdsk is running at boot up. See: How to Enable the Hidden Aurora Boot Screen in Vista or How to Change the Default Boot Screen in Vista SP1This will take about 20 minutes or so to finish, depending on how big your hard drive is. Do not stop chkdsk once it has started, let it finish. It could cause errors on your hard drive. When you restart to chkdsk, you will only have 10 seconds to press a key to cancel chkdsk. Check for a sticky keyboard key stuck down. It will cancel the chkdsk at startup.CHECK DISK WILL NOT RUN AT STARTUP PROBLEM: If chkdsk will not run at startup after trying the methods below, then see: How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista Run Check Disk from within the Drive's Properties Page NOTE: This method may not always run chkdsk when the computer restarts on some computers. I'm not sure why, but if this is your case, then you can do Method Two, Method Three, Method Four, or Method Five below. 1. Open the Start Menu. 2. Click on the Computer button. 3. Right click on your hard drive and click on Properties. 4. Click on the Tools tab. 5. Click on Check Now under the Error checking section. (See circled in red below) 6. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt. 7. Make sure both options are checked. (See screenshot below) NOTE: The Automatically fix file system errors box will be checked by default. 8. Click on the Start button. 9. You will get a pop-up window saying, "Windows can't check this disk while it's use". (See screenshot below) 10. Click on the Schedule disk check button for chkdsk to run the next time you restart your computer. Using chkdsk in a Command Prompt 1. To Run chkdsk in Safe Mode A) Restart the computer and boot into Safe Mode. B) Go to step 3. 2. To Run chkdsk in a Command Prompt at Boot A) Place the Vista installation DVD into the DVD drive and restart the computer. B) Boot from the DVD into the System Recovery Options screen. C) Select Command prompt. D) Go to step 4 below. 3. To Run chkdsk in a Elevated Command Prompt A) Open a elevated command prompt. 4. In the command prompt, type chkdsk or chkdsk C: followed by one or a combination of switches listed in steps 4A to 4D below and press Enter. See the screenshot below for all switch combinations. NOTE: If you want check disk to scan a drive other than the C: drive, then substitute the drive letter C: after chkdsk to the drive letter that you want. EX: chkdsk E: Type One of these Commands to Run Chkdsk: NOTE: The most common command is chkdsk /f or chkdsk C: /f A) /f = The /f switch is the most common of the chkdsk switches. It tells chkdsk to try and fix any errors it finds. EX Type: chkdsk /f or chkdsk C: /f NOTE: Answer Y when chkdsk asks you if you want to check the drive next time Vista boots (restarts). B) /r = The /r switch tells chkdsk to attempt to recover any bad sectors of the hard drive if any are found. A bad sector is a spot on the hard drive that cannot hold saved data anymore. (See screenshot below) EX Type: chkdsk /r or chkdsk C: /r NOTE: Answer Y when chkdsk asks you if you want to check the drive next time Windows Vista boots. C) /i = The /i switch tells chkdsk to perform a less detailed but faster disk check. (See screenshot below) EX Type: chkdsk /i or chkdsk C: /i NOTE: This will run immediately. D) /c = The /c switch tells chkdsk to skip the checking of cycles within a folder structure which reduces the scan time. EX Type: chkdsk /c or chkdsk C: /c NOTE: This will run immediately. 5. Close the command prompt. 6. Restart the computer to run chkdsk at startup. Using chkntfs and fsutil in a Command Prompt NOTE: This will reset all drives to be checked at startup and mark a drive as dirty so chkdsk will run at startup for it. Chkdsk will mark the drive clean again after it runs. If chkdsk does not run at startup, then do step 5 only to mark the drive clean again. 1. Open a elevated command prompt. 2. To Reset and Check All Drives and Run CHKDSK if a Drive is Dirty A) In the command prompt, type chkntfs /d and press Enter. (See screenshot below) NOTE: Restores the computer to the default behavior; all drives are checked at boot time and chkdsk is run on those that are marked dirty. B) Go to step 4. 3. To Check a Specific Drive and Run CHKDSK if the Drive is Dirty A) In the command prompt, type chkntfs /c C: and press Enter. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This will schedule the C: drive to be checked at boot time. If the drive is marked dirty, then chkdsk will run. If you want to schedule another drive letter to be checked, then substitute C: with the drive letter you want checked instead. 4. To Mark a Drive Dirty A) In the command prompt, type fsutil dirty set c: and press Enter. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This marks the c: drive as dirty so chkdsk will run at startup. If you want to run chkdsk on another drive letter, then substitute c: for the drive letter you want instead. B) You will now get a Volume - c: is now marked dirty message. 5. Close the elevated command prompt. 6. Restart the computer. NOTE: Chkdsk will now run at startup. If chkdsk does not run at startup, then run chkntfs /d in step 5A again and see: How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista Run Check Disk Using a REG File Download 1. Click on the download button below to download the Run_chkdsk.reg file. NOTE: If the hard drive you want to run chkdsk on has a different driver letter than C: , then do the Manual Way below to substitute C: with your drive letter instead. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/run_chkdsk-reg.2728/ 2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop. 3. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge. 4. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up. 5. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted. 6. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop). Run Check Disk from the Registry Editor 1. Open the Start Menu. 2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter. 3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt. 4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager 5. In the right pane, right click on BootExecute and click on Modify. 6. Highlight the code below, then right click on it and click on Copy. NOTE: If the hard drive you want to run chkdsk on has a different driver letter than C: , then substitute C: with your drive letter instead. [/INDENT] autocheck autochk /p \??\C: autocheck autochk * 7. Clear the box, then right click on a empty area in the box and click on Paste to copy the code above into it. (See screenshot below) 8. Click on OK. 9. The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below) 10. Close regedit. 11. Restart the computer to run chkdsk at startup. [INDENT] That's it, Shawn How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker How to Extract Files from the Vista Installation DVD How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista How to Do a Clean Install of Vista From a Upgrade Version How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista How to Generate a System Health Report in Vista How to Troubleshoot the Computer with Reliability Monitor in Vista How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista How to Do a System Restore in Vista How to Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool in Vista How to Use the Resource Monitor in Vista How to Fix a Crashing Internet Explorer in Vista How to Start Vista in Safe Mode How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista How to Change Vista Disk Check Press Any Key Timeout Value at Startup How to Read the Event Viewer Log for Check Disk (chkdsk) in Windows

How to Enable or Disable Search Index in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to Enable or Disable the Search Index. You may want to disable it to get more accurate search results, or to stop your hard drive from running so much. The Index keeps track of the files on your computer and stores information about the files, including the file name, date modified, and properties like author, tags, and rating. The index is used to make searching for files in Vista much faster. Instead of looking through your entire hard disk for a file name or file property, Vista scans the index, which allows most results to appear in a small fraction of the time that a search without the index would take.The Index will run slowly in the background during low or idle computer usage to keep itself updated and current from the changes you make to the files from the locations that you have listed in the index. If you do a lot of changes in these indexed locations, then your search results will not always be accurate until the index has finished updating itself. This can cause the hard drive to run a lot, especially for the first week or so after installing Vista. If you do not do a lot of searches or need very accurate search results, then disable the index to allow Vista to default to using the full non-index search of the drive. The searches will take a bit longer since it is a non-indexed search, but it will cut down on the hard drive running as much and will give accurate search results. Disabling the index may also impact some Microsoft programs, like MS Office Outlook or Windows Media Player, that use the Index when they search. Disabling the index in Windows 7 will cause you to no longer be able to do searches in Libraries. To be able to search in libraries, the Windows Search service needs to be Started and set to Automatic. Libraries require it's included folders to also be added to the index to be tracked properly even though they will still open properly. Disabling the index in Windows 7 will cause you to no longer be able to use Arrange by in Libraries. EXAMPLE: Index Enabled and Disabled Disable or Enable the Index "Windows Search" Service NOTE: This will enable or disable the Index for Windows completely. It will not affect the regular non-indexed search feature in Windows. 1. Open the Start Menu, then type services in the search box and press Enter. 2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7). 3. Scroll down and right click on Windows Search, then click on Properties. (see screenshot below) 4. To Disable the Index A) Click on the Stop button. (see screenshot below step 6) B) Next to Startup type, click on the drop down menu arrow and click on Disable. C) Click on Apply. D) Go to step 6. 5. To Enable the Index A) Next to Startup type:, click the drop down menu arrow and click on Automatic. (See screenshot below step 6) B) Click on Apply. C) Click on the Start button. NOTE: If the Windows Search service will not start, then leave it set to Automatic and see: How to Fix the Start Error For Windows Search Service to Enable the Index 6. Click on OK. 7. Close the Service window. Enable or Disable Index for a Specific Drive NOTE: This will only enable or disable the Index for the drive you selected. 1. Open the Start Menu. 2. Click on the Computer button on the right dark side. 3. Right click on the hard drive that you want to enable or disable Index on, and click on Properties. 4. To Disable the Index A) Uncheck the Index this drive for faster searching box. (see screenshot below step 6) B) Go to step 6. 5. To Enable the Index A) Check the Index this drive for faster searching box. (see screenshot below step 6) NOTE: Step 5 in the OPTION ONE section above will need to be set to enabled for this to work to. 6. Click on Apply. 7. Select (dot) Apply changes to drive, subfolders, and files. (see screenshot below) 8. Click on OK. 9. Click on Continue in the Access Denied window. (see screenshot below) 10. Click on the Ignore All button for the Error Applying Attributes window. (see screenshot below) NOTE: Vista does not like any attempt to mess with the boot files. This is why you get this error and should select ignore all to skip changing these files. 11. This may take a while to finish depending on the size of your hard drive, so sit back, kick the feet up and relax a bit. 12. When finished, click on OK to close drive properties window. (see screenshot below step 6) That's it, Shawn How to Open and Change Search Options in Vista How to Use the Indexing Options in Vista How to Fix the Start Error For Windows Search Service to Enable the Index in Vista How to Add or Remove the Internet Explorer Search Box in Vista How to Use Advanced Search Options in Vista How to Create a Search Desktop Shortcut on Vista How to Use the Find Window to Find Text on a Page How to Restore the Search Context Menu Item after Installing the Vista SP1 How to Restore the Start Menu Search Button after Installing the Vista SP1 How to Use the Advanced Query Language to Improve Windows Search Results How to Have More Accurate Search Results in Windows 7 and Vista How to Enable or Disable Search "Indexer Backoff" in Windows 7

How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD This will show you how to create a Vista installation DVD with the Vista SP1 slipstreamed into it for any 32 and 64 bit version of Vista you want. This DVD will allow you to do a clean install of Vista with the SP1 all at once instead of installing Vista first then the SP1.This Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD will also allow you to run a Repair install on Vista with SP1 installed now. Before, you could not use a normal Vista installation DVD ro run a Repair install on Vista with SP1 installed since Vista with SP1 was a new version than what was on the Vista DVD.If you have a Dell OEM computer, then see this link to help you possibly create a sliptream installation DVD from your Dell installation disc.You can only make a 64-bit Vista DVD in a installed 64-bit Vista, and only a 32-bit Vista DVD in a installed 32-bit Vista. REQUIREMENTS: 32 bit or 64 bit Retail or OEM (not Recovery) Vista Installation DVDNOTE: If you would like to use that same bit version you have of Vista, then open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section. vLiteNOTE: You can download vLite from here: http://www.vlite.net/download.html . Please post questions about specific errors with the vLite program at their forum here: http://www.msfn.org/board/vLite-f153.html WARNING: I would recommend to Download and install the latest 1.2 Final version. SP1 Standalone Installer NOTE: Use the SP1 standalone installer for you 32 bit or 64 bit version and language of Vista. The smaller the file, the better. To see what version you have, press the Windows Key + Pause/Break key and look under System type. Download details: Windows 32 bit Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330) 434.5 MB NOTE: For English (US), French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional) only. Download details: Windows 32 bit Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone (KB936330) 544.3 MB Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for 64 bit based Systems (KB936330) 726.5 MB NOTE: English (US), French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional) only. Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone for 64 bit Systems (KB936330) 873.0 MB A blank unformated DVD at least 4 GB in size Around 3.5 hours or so of your time and patience.;) Microsoft has issued a note to users, of “v-Lited” Windows Vista SP1 installs, having issues upgrading to SP2. Their advice? Reinstall Windows with genuine media. For more on this, see: Short: vLite screws up Windows Vista SP1 upgrade path - Within Windows Here's How:You will need to temporarily disable your antivirus program before you start this to prevent possible interference to the vLite program below. This program is safe, but could be mistaken as not by some antivirus programs and prevent you from creating the SP1 slipstream DVD. 1. Copy the Vista Installation DVD Contents to the Desktop A) Place the retail or OEM (not Recovery) Vista installation DVD into the DVD drive. NOTE: If AutoPlay or the Vista install window pops-up, just close it. B) Open the Start Menu and click on Computer. C) Right click on the DVD drive in Computer with the Vista installation DVD and click on Copy. (See screenshot below) D) Right click on a empty space on the desktop and click on Paste. NOTE: This may take a few minutes to finish copying all of the Vista installation DVD contents to the folder on the desktop. 2. Download the SP1 Standalone Installer to the Desktop NOTE: See Requirements at the top of the tutorial for the download links. You will need to select the same 32 bit or 64 bit version of the SP1 as the Vista installation DVD from step 1. A) Download and save the SP1 standalone installer to the desktop. 3. Download and Install the vLite Program NOTE: See Requirements at the top of the tutorial for the download link. A) Right click on the vLite program shortcut and click Run as Administrator. B) Click on Allow. C) If this window pops-up, then click on the Install button(s) for the missing features needed by vLite. (See screenshot below) NOTE: If you see the WAIK Download link, then you will need to click on the Install button to download the 1.34GB ISO WAIK file first. Next, follow the instructions at the download link: Click the Download button on this page to start the download. Click on Save, and save the .iso file to your desktop. Burn the saved .iso file to a DVD. You can use ISO Recorder to do this. This link will show you how to use ISO Recorder. Run the DVD to install WAIK. WARNING: There is a glitch in the vLite 1.2 version where you may receive an error about WAIK when trying to run vLite. WAIK is not always properly recognized in Vista 32 bit. You may need to manually copy and paste the wimgapi.dll file from WAIK into the root vLite folder (main folder) in C:\Programs for it to work properly. 4. Click on the Browse button. (See screenshot below) 5. Click on the Vista folder (created from step 1) on the desktop and click on the LRMCFRE_EN_DVD folder, then click OK. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You may have a different name than LRMCFRE_EN_DVD based on your type of Vista installation DVD, but it will be the one right under Vista. 6. Click on the Vista edition that you want to use for the Vista SP1 slipstream DVD to highlight it and click OK. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You can only have one Vista edition per slipstream DVD. If you want to have more than one Vista edition, then you must repeat this tutorial for each individual Vista edition for their own DVD. 7. Click on the Next button. (See screenshot below) 8. Check both the Service Pack Slipstream and Bootable ISO boxes and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below) 9. Click on the Select button. (See screenshot below) 10. Select the SP1 standalone program (from step 2) on the desktop and click on the Open button. (See screenshot below) 11. Click on Run when this window pops-up in a few seconds. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This runs the SP1 installer program for the vLite program only. It will not install the SP1 on your computer. 12. This will take around 60 to 120 minutes or so to complete this part. Some older slower systems may take a bit longer. (See screenshot below) Enjoy your break. ;) NOTE: In the Status box, you will see Preparing first, Extracting second, Integrating third, then this below until it is finished with this part. It will seem like it is stuck about 60% of the way, but it is not. 13. When Finished, click on Next. (See screenshot below) NOTE: If this fails, then verify that you are using the same 32 bit or 64 bit versions of the Vista SP1 and Vista Installation DVD files. If they are not the same, it will fail. 14. Under the General section, make sure that Create Image is selected and click on the Make ISO button. (See screenshot below) 15. If the Created Image is over 4 GB A) If this window pops-up on you with a similar message after you click on the Make ISO button (from step 14), then click on No and continue to step 16. (See screenshot below) NOTE: If you do not get the option to make the ISO image smaller, then see: Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD B) If not, then go to step 19 and skip steps 16, 17, and 18. 16. Dot Rebuild one (Vista edition from step 5) and click OK. (See screenshot below) 17. When finished, click on the Next button. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This will take a little bit to finish. 18. Under the General section, make sure that Create Image is selected and click on the Make ISO button. (See screenshot below) NOTE: After the Vista and SP1 image file has been rebuilt to make it smaller, you will return to the same screen in step 14. 19. Select the Desktop and click on the Save button. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This is where the ISO file will be saved when it is finished being created. 20. When it is finished creating the ISO file, place a blank unformated DVD into the DVD drive. NOTE: If AutoPlay pops-up asking you to format the DVD, just close it. 21. Under the General section, make sure that Burn Image is selected and that you have your DVD drive selected under Device. Click on the Burn button. (See screenshot below) 22. When it is finished making the Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD it will say Write Successful, then click on the Finish or Exit button. (See screenshot below) NOTE: It will take a few minutes to finish this. When you click Finish, it will close vLite. 23. Remove your new Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD from the DVD drive. NOTE: You will use this DVD the same way you did the retail Vista installation DVD. 24. Do not forget to enable your antivirus program again. That's it, your done. Finally. LOL ;) Shawn How to Slipstream Vista SP2 How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista How to Create a Vista Recovery Disc How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Thumb Drive to Install Vista How to Do a Dual Boot Installation with Windows Vista and XP How to Do a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista How to Do a Custom Installation of Vista How to Slipstream Office 2010 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Bypassing 'Show Desktop' bug in RocketDock This tutorial will show an easy way to bypass RocketDock of minimizing too when pressing the 'Show Desktop' button. 1. Make a new Text Document. 2. Enter the following lines into the document: Set shell = wscript.CreateObject("Shell.Application") Shell.MinimizeAll 3. Save the document. 4. Rename the document to a VBscript file. (ex. Minimize.vbs) 5. Put the file in your Documents folder. (or somewhere where it won't be deleted) 6. Make a shortcut of the file and put it on your desktop. 7. Right Click and select 'Properties' 8. Go to the 'Shortcut' tab. 8. Press 'Change Icon'. 9. Put this line in the browse tab: %SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll 10. Select the Desktop icon. 11. Go to the tab 'General' and change the name to 'Show Desktop'. 12. Save settings. Et voilà, you have a 'Show Desktop' that doesn't minimize RocketDock.

How to Add Take Ownership to the Context Menu in Vista This will add Take Ownership to the Context (right click) menu for all folders, files, and drives in Vista and Windows 7. Application files, (EX: EXE, CMD, MSI) will still have Run as administrator instead of Take Ownership in the context menu. When you use take ownership on a folder, it will take ownership of all the files and subfolders inside the folder to. To manually take ownership of items in Vista, see: How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista To restore TrustedInstaller as the owner for a protected system resource, see: How to Restore TrustedInstaller as Owner of a File in Vista This Take Ownership context menu item needs to be used while logged on to an administrator account for it work.EXAMPLE: Before and After Context Menus Add or Remove Take Ownership 1. To Add Take Ownership A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Add_Take_Ownership.reg https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/add_take_ownership-reg.23499/ B) Go to step 3. 2. To Remove Take Ownership A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Remove_Take_Ownership.reg https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/remove_take_ownership-reg.23500/ 3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop. 4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge. 5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and OK when prompted. 6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like. After you have taking ownership of the file, you may still need to "Allow" your user account "Full Control" of the file before you will have full permission to access it. See steps 11 to 22 in the tutorial below for how. Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums How to Use Take Ownership 1. Right click on a folder, file, or drive. NOTE: When you use Take Ownership on a folder, it will take ownership of all the files and subfolders within that folder to. Do not take ownership of the drive that you have Windows installed on. If you do, you will end up having to reinstall Windows. 2. Click on Take Ownership. (See Example at top) 3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt. 4. You will see a command window pop-up and then go away when it's finished. (See example screenshot below) 5. The folder or file has been taken ownership of. NOTE: A) You can verify from METHOD TWO step 7 here: How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista B) It will have your user name listed as the owner. After you have taking ownership of the file, you may still need to "Allow" your user account "Full Control" of the file before you will have full permission to access it. See steps 11 to 22 in the tutorial below for how. Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums That's it, Shawn How to Expand the Context (Shortcuts) Menu in Vista How to Customize the Context Menu for the Start Menu in Vista How to Customize the Send To Context Menu in Vista How to Customize the Recycle Bin Context Menu in Vista How to Add Encrypt and Decrypt to the Context Menu in Vista How to Add and Remove a New Menu Item in Vista How to Add COPY TO FOLDER and MOVE TO FOLDER to the Context Menu in Vista How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista How to Restore the Search Context Menu Item after Installing the Vista SP1 How to Add Flip 3D to the Context Menu in Vista How to Restore or Remove New from the Context Menu in Vista How to Enable or Disable the Context Menu in Vista How to Restore or Remove the Security Tab in Vista How to Remove or Show Drives in the Vista and Windows 7 "Send To" Context Menu How to Add View and Print File Directory to the Context Menu in Vista How to Add or Remove Copy as Path from the Vista Context Menu How to Add or Remove Send To from the Vista Context Menu How to Add or Remove Turn Aero On or Off from the Vista Context Menu How to Add System Properties to Computer Context Menu in Vista How to Restore TrustedInstaller as Owner of a File in Vista How to Restore or Remove "Restore Previous Versions" from the Vista Context Menu How to Add Empty Folder and Subfolders to the Vista Context Menu

How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista and Windows 7 This will show you how to take Ownership of a file, folder, registry key, or drive where you have been denied access to allow you to give full control of it so that you will be able to delete or modify this item. When you do this, you replace the security permissions to have access. You will quickly notice that you cannot delete or modify system files, even as administrator in Vista. This is because Vista system files are owned by the TrustedInstaller service by default, and Windows File Protection will keep them from being overwritten. You will encounter a "Access Denied" error. If you are trying to delete a folder, then sometimes you will need to delete the contents within the subfolders first before you will be able to delete the main folder itself. The hidden My ..... folders are actually a Junction Point to the real username user folders. They cannot be modified since they are not a real location. EX: My Documents for C:\Users\(your username)\Documents For more on junction points, see: jimmah.com: Why do I get an Access Denied error when trying to open a folder? Sometimes you will need to move the file to the desktop or a user folder first before Vista will allow changes to be made to it. You can then move the file back afterwards. You will sometimes need to take ownership of Files and folders created in another operating system when migrated into Vista. This can only be done while logged on to a administrator account. Deleting or modifying system files without knowing what you are doing may lead to eratic behavior from Vista. Even complete system failure with full data loss. EXAMPLE: You need permission to perform this action NOTE: You will see this Access Denied with the Try Again type message when your user account or group does not have Ownership of the file. Clicking on the Try Again does nothing. Take Ownership of Item Using Context Menu 1. For how, see: How to Add Take Ownership to the Context Menu in Vista Take Ownership of Item in Command Prompt EX: To Take Ownership of this System file: C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui EX: User name to Take Ownership with: Brink 1. Open an elevated command prompt. 2. In the elevated command prompt, type the command below and press Enter to take ownership of the file. NOTE: Substitute full path of file with the full path of the file that you want to take ownership of within quotes. takeown /f "full path of file" For example: takeown /f "C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui" 3. A message will be displayed that this completed successfully. This will give you ownership of the file. 4. In the same elevated command prompt, type the command below and press Enter to grant a user full control of the file. NOTE: Substitute full path of file with the full path of the file from step 2 within quotes , and (user name) with your user name. icacls "full path of file" /grant (user name):F For example: icacls "C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui" /grant Brink:F 5. A message will be displayed that this completed successfully. NOTE: You should be able to delete or modify the file now. If you still can't, you may need to reboot into Safe Mode and try this again. It may vary according to the file. Some are more stubborn. To Manually Take Ownership of a Item 1. Go to the file, folder, drive, or registry key you want to delete or modify. NOTE: For example, the system file: C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui 2. For a File, Folder, or Drive A) Right click on the file, folder, or drive and click on Properties. WARNING: Do not do this to the hard drive partition that Vista is installed on. It can mess up the boot files. For example, the file: winload.exe.mui B) Go to step 4 3. For a Registry Key A) Click on the key in the left pane to highlight the registry key (folder). B) Right click on the key and click on Permissions, or click on Edit (Menu Bar) and Permissions. 4. Click on the Security tab and on the Advanced button. (See screenshots below) 5. Click on the Owner tab. (See screenshot below) NOTE: For a Registry key, go to step 8 after this. WARNING: You should make note of who the current Owner is so you can change it back to it later if you like. 6. Click on the Edit button. 7. If prompted by UAC, click on Continue. 8. Under the Change owner to section, click on your user account name and click on OK. (See screenshots below NOTE: If you have a check box for Replace owner on subcontainers and objects, then check it if you want to take ownership of them as well. You will not see this option when taking ownership of just a file. Only with a folder. EX. Username: Moderator (Computer Name/Username) 9. Click on OK at the Security pop-up window. (See screenshot below) NOTE: For a Registry Key, you will not see steps 9 to 12. Go to step 13. 10. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 7) 11. Click on the Edit button. (See screenshot below) 12. If prompted, click on Continue in the UAC prompt. 13. Click on the Add button. (See screenshot below) 14. To Type in Your User Account Name NOTE: If your user account name is already listed, then do step 15 instead. A) Type in your user account name in the box under Enter the objects name to select. (See left screenshot below) NOTE: For example, Moderator. If you needed to restore TrustedInstaller as the owner, then see: How to Restore TrustedInstaller as Owner of a File in Vista B) Click on the Check Names button. NOTE: If the username is found, then see right screenshot below. If it is not found, then go to step 15 below to select it. C) Go to step 16. 15. To Select Your User Account name A) Click on the Advanced button. (See left screenshot above) B) Click on the Find Now button. (See screenshot below) C) Under Search results, click on your user account name to highlight it. NOTE: For example, Moderator. If this is for something like a Flash USB drive, you may also want to select Everyone and give it full permission to. This way you will be able to access it from any user account. D) Click on OK. 16. Click on OK. (See right screenshot above step 15) 17. Click on your user account name to highlight it. (See screenshot below) NOTE: For example, Moderator (Computer Name/Username) 18. Check the box for Full Control. NOTE: For more information on these permission choices, see: Windows Help and How-to: What are Permissions? 19. Click on OK. NOTE: For a Registry Key, you will not see steps 20 and 21. Go to step 22. 20. Click on Yes in Windows Security pop-up. (See screenshot below) 21. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 11) 22. Your Done. You can now delete or modify the item. 23. If you wanted to, repeat the steps and change the Owner back to the previous owner you noted from step 5 above. That's it, Shawn How to Turn UAC On or Off in Vista How to Enable or Disable the Real Built-in Administrator Account in Vista How to Elevate Administrators Privilege Level in Vista How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista How to Add Take Ownership to the Context Menu in Vista How to Set and Unset the Read-only File and Folder Attribute in Vista Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix How to Restore or Remove the Security Tab in Vista How to Restore TrustedInstaller as Owner of a File in Vista How to Allow or Deny Permissions to Users and Groups How to Add or Remove Users and Groups from "User Rights Assignment" How to Allow or Prevent Users and Groups to Take Ownership How to Add Reset Permissions to Context Menu in Windows

How to Change the System Restore Disk Space Usage Amount in Vista By default Vista allocates 15% of your selected hard drive volume to storing System Restore points after installation. If System Restore is turned on much later, it may only allocate a minimum of 30% of the available free space instead. When the allocated space fills up with restore points, System Restore will delete the older restore points to make room for the new ones. System Restore needs at least 300 MB allocated to it to run, and will not run on a hard drive smaller than 1 GB. In the Vista Business and Ultimate versions, this area is also where backup copies of deleted or changed files are stored and made available through the Previous Versions feature (Shadow Copy). For more information about the Vssadmin command, see: Microsoft Technet: Vssadmin System Restore needs to be turned on to be able to change it's storage size. To turn on System Restore and select what drives Vista is to create restore points for, see: How to Turn System Restore On or Off in Vista If you shrink the available storage space for a selected drive, Vista will kick out the system restore points and backups on a first-in, first-out basis. The oldest restore point will be deleted as the new one is saved when out of available max space. This will, of course, leave you with fewer restore options. If you dual boot with Windows XP, then everytime you start in XP the System Restore Points and all except the most recent Complete PC Backup files in Vista get deleted. For how, see: How to Stop System Restore Points from being Deleted in Vista when Dual Booting with XP If you just want to free up some space, then you can run Disk Cleanup instead. How to See the Current Allocated System Restore Size 1. Open a elevated command prompt. 2. If prompted by UAC, click on Continue. 3. In the elevated command prompt, type vssadmin list shadowstorage and press Enter. (See screenshots below) NOTE: This will give your the details on the Used, Allocated, and Maximum spaces of Shadow Copies for the available disks that you selected to have restore points created for in step 6 here: How to Turn System Restore On or Off in Vista. The left screenshot is for just one drive selected, and the right screenshot is for two drives (C & D ) selected. Result Description Used This is the amount currently used on the hard disk. Allocated This is the amount that it has reserved from the hard disk at this time. Maximum This is the maximum amount it will allocate and use from the hard disk. How to Change the Maximum System Restore Size NOTE: If you disable or enable System Restore for a selected drive, the original default values will be set back and the restore points will be deleted. For how, see: How to Disable or Enable System Restore in Vista. 1. In same elevated command prompt window from above, type for EX: WARNING: If you change the MAX size to a smaller size than the current Used size shown in METHOD ONE above, then the older restore points will be deleted to adjust to the new size. Nothing will happen to the restore points if you make the MAX size larger than the current Used size shown in METHOD ONE above. A) For the listed C: drive, type the command below and press Enter. vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /Maxsize=3GB B) For the listed D: drive, type the command below and press Enter. vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=D: /On=D: /Maxsize=3GB See the screenshots below step 5 in OPTION ONE above under the Shadow Copy Storage association line for each drive listed. Command Description /For= The For volume: listed. (Ex: C or D above) /On= The Shadow Copy Storage volume: listed. (Ex: C or D above) /Maxsize= What you want to limit the maximum storage size of Shadow Copies (restore points) to. For example, # + GB or MB (Ex: 3GB or 3MB) This must be 1MB or larger. 2. You will get a Successfully resized the shadow copy storage association message. 3. If not, repeat step 1. 4. If yes, then check with STEP ONE above to confirm the change for the selected drive. 5. Close the elevated command prompt when done. That's it, Shawn . How to Create a System Restore Shortcut in Vista How to Create a Create System Restore Point Shortcut in Vista How to Create a System Restore Point in Vista How to Undo the Last System Restore in Vista How to Do a System Restore in Vista How to Turn System Restore On or Off in Vista How to Use Disk Cleanup in Vista How to Restore Previous Versions of a File and Folder in Vista How to Stop System Restore Points from being Deleted in Vista when Dual Booting with XP How to Change the Automatic System Restore Point Settings in Vista Task Scheduler How to Enable or Disable Create Vista System Restore Point when New Device Driver is Installed How to Enable or Disable Create Vista System Restore Point when a Application is Installed

How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista If after you set Check Disk or chkdsk to run at startup it will not run, then this will show you how to fix this problem so chkdsk will run at startup. This problem is usually caused when the autochk.exe file gets corrupted, or the registry BootExecute data value is incorrect. This is not for if chkdsk cannot finish or stops running. Check Disk uses the file autochk.exe to run chkdsk. If you still cannot run chkdsk at startup after this, then you might consider performing a System Restore, Repair Installation, or Clean Installation to fix the problem. See related links below. If you had changed your default boot screen, then you will need to temporarily uncheck the No GUI boot to be able to see what is happening when chkdsk is running at boot up. See: How to Enable or Replace the Hidden Aurora Boot Screen in Vista Safe Mode Workaround This is to see if something may be loading before the check disk program preventing chkdsk from running. 1. Schedule check disk to run using chkdsk /f (STEP FIVE below) in the command promt. 2. Run msconfig (step 1 in METHOD TWO at link), and click on the Boot tab and click on Safe boot with the minimal button selected. (See screenshot below) 3. Restart the computer to hopefully have chkdsk run. 4. Set msconfig (step 2 in METHOD TWO at link) to boot normally again. 5. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done. Reset chkdsk BootExecute This will reset chkdsk back to it's default setting of not to run at startup. This step will also fix the problem of chkdsk always running at startup. If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. (See the Manual Way below to check) Continue to STEP THREE below instead. Through a Download: 1. Click on the download button below to download the Reset_chkdsk.reg file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/reset_chkdsk-reg.2727/ 2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop. 3. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge. 4. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up. 5. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted. 6. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop). The Manual Way: 1. Open the Start Menu. 2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter. 3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt. 4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager 5. In the right pane, right click on BootExecute and click on Modify. 6. Type autocheck autochk * and click on OK. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You will be replacing autocheck autochk /p \??\C: with autocheck autochk* instead. If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. Go to STEP THREE below. 7. Close regedit. Run a SFC /SCANNOW Command 1. Try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can fix chkdsk. 2. When SFC is finished, try running chkdsk again. 3. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done. Replace autochk.exe File NOTE: This will show you how to replace your corrupted copy of the autochk.exe file with clean copy to be able to run chkdsk at startup. 1. Be sure that you already have ran a SFC /scannow from STEP THREE above to see verify that the autochk.exe file was foud to be corrupted first in the sfcdetails.txt file. If it's not, then you do not need to do STEP FOUR. 2. In Windows Explorer, go to C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below) 3. Take ownership of the file autochk.exe at the C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe location, and "Allow" your user account "Full Control" of it. (See screenshot above) 4. Right click on autochk.exe and click on Properties. (See screenshot below step 2) 5. Click on the Details tab. (See screenshots below) A) Make note of what File version the autochk.exe file is. NOTE: If the File version is blank or you have SP1 installed, then do step 6. If not, then do step 8. 6. Download the same version that you have in step 5. 7. For the Vista 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 Version of autochk.exe NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 and SP2 installed. A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6002.18005.zip file. B) Go to step 10. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/6-0-6002-18005-zip.13289/ 8. For the Vista 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 Version of autochk.exe NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 installed. A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6001.18000.zip file. B) Go to step 10. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/6-0-6001-18000-zip.2933/ 9. For the Vista 6.0.6000.16386 RTM Version of autochk.exe NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista without SP1 or SP2 installed. This version has been reported to still work with or without SP1 installed, so you may try it if you still have problems with the newer 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 or 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 version. A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6000.16386.zip file. https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/6-0-6000-16386-zip.2932/ 10. Save the ZIP file to your desktop. 11. Open on the downloaded autochk.exe.zip file. 12. Extract (drag and drop) the autochk.exe file from wihtin the ZIP file to your desktop. 13. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Properties and the Unblock button under the General tab. (See screenshot below) NOTE: If you do not have the Unblock button, then it is already unblocked. Continue on to step 14. 14. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Copy. 15. Go back to the Windows Explore window at C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below step 2) 16. Right click on a empty space in the Windows Explorer window and click on Paste. (See screenshot below step 2) NOTE: If it will not let you Copy or Paste the new autochk.exe file (on desktop) over, then rename the old one and repeat step 14, then delete the old renamed autochk.exe file afterwards. 17. Click on Copy and Replace. (See screenshot below) NOTE: This replaces your autochk.exe with the downloaded clean one on the desktop that has not been taken ownership of. 18. Click on Continue for Access Denied prompt. 19. Click on Continue for UAC prompt. 20. Close the Windows Explorer window. Set Chkdsk to Run at Startup 1. Try the different methods in this tutorial below to run chkdsk to see which one works best for you. That's it, Shawn How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista How to Do a System Restore in Vista How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker How to Change Vista Disk Check Press Any Key Timeout Value at Startup How to Read the Event Viewer Log for Check Disk (chkdsk) in Windows

How to Set Vista for the CPU L2 Cache Memory Size The SecondLevelDataCache records the size of the processor cache, also known as the secondary or L2 cache. If the value of this entry is 0, Vista will attempt to retrieve the L2 cache size from the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for the platform. If Vista fails for some reason to retrieve the L2 cache size from HAL, then it uses a default CPU L2 cache size of only 256 KB. If the default value of the SecondLevelDataCache value is not 0, Vista will use the value (amount of memory) you set instead of 0 (for 256 KB) as the L2 cache size of. This value is designed as a secondary source of cache size information for Vista when the HAL cannot detect the L2 cache from the CPU.This sets the SecondLevelDataCache inside the registry. From Microsoft KB183063: Only set the value to what your processor actually has for the L2 cache size. Do not use a larger size than it actually has. Find Out the L2 Cache Size Reported by HAL NOTE: This will show you how to see what the L2 cache size is for your CPU as it is reported to Vista by HAL. This value will be used in STEP TWO below to set the SecondLevelDataCache value for this as a backup in case HAL rarely could not detect the L2 cache from the CPU. 1. Generate a System Health Report. 2. Click on the Hardware Configuration arrow on the far right to expand it. (See screenshot below step 3) 3. Click on the Devices arrow on the far right to expand it. (See screenshot below) 4. Under Devices, scroll down to Motherboard Classes. (See screenshot below step 5) A) Click on the + sign to expand root\cimv2:SELECT * FROM Win32_Processor. B) Click on the + sign to expand Win32_Processor.DeviceID="CPU0". 5. In that list, you will see L2CacheSize and the value beside it for it's size to use it in step 6 in STEP TWO below. NOTE: For this example you will see 6144 to be used for my CPU's 2x6144 (12MB) L2 size. Now, here's a kicker. The newer Yorkfield Core 2 Quads CPUs use the entire cache for both cores unlike the older CPUs that do not share. So a 2x6144 (12mb) L2 cache would use 12288 (2x6144) instead despite what is reported in Vista for HAL. Set the L2 Cache Size NOTE: This will set the SecondLevelDataCache value in the registry, from the value gotten in STEP ONE, as a backup in case HAL rarely could not detect the L2 cache from the CPU and prevent having only a default L2 cache size of 256 KB used as L2 cache size instead by Vista. 1. Open the Start Menu. 2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter. 3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt. 4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management 5. In the right pane, right click SecondLevelDataCache and click on Modify. 6. Dot Decimal, and type in the value in bold (see table below) for your CPU L2 size from STEP ONE above. (See screenshot below table) NOTE: I have a CPU with a 2x6144 (12MB) L2 cache size, so I would use 6144 (Dec) or 1800 (Hex) since it is 2x. See STEP ONE above for how to get the L2 size for your CPU. Now, here's a kicker. The newer Yorkfield Core 2 Quads CPUs use the entire cache for both cores unlike the older CPUs that do not share. So a 2x6144 (12mb) L2 cache would use 122488 (Decimal) or 3000 (hex) instead despite what is reported in Vista for HAL. Decimal Value Hexadecimal Value 256 KB 100 (hex) 512 KB 200 (hex) 1024 KB (1MB) 400 (hex) 2048 KB (2MB) 800 (hex) 3072 KB (3MB) c00 (hex) 4096 KB (4MB) 1000 (hex) 6144 KB (6MB) 1800 (hex) 8192 KB (8MB) 2000 (hex) 12288 KB (12MB) 3000 (hex) 16384 KB (16MB) 4000 (hex) 7. Click on OK to apply. 8. Your registry will look like this below for a 2x6144 (12MB) L2 cache memory size. NOTE: See STEP ONE above to find out your CPU L2 cache size. 9. Close regedit. 10. Restart the computer to apply the change. That's it, Shawn How to Make a Program or Process Run with a Higher or Lower CPU Priority in Vista How to Set the Processor Affinity for a Application in Vista How to Change the Number of Processors Used at Boot Up in Vista

How to Extract Files from the Vista Installation DVD This will show you how to extract original files from the retail Vista installation DVD. You can then use these extracted files to replace missing or corrupted system files in your current Vista installation.Normally you will find out that you have corrupted system files that cannot be repaired after your run a sfc /scannow command and look at it's log report. Here's How: 1. Download and install the same free 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) 7-Zip program version as your 32-bit or 64-bit Vista. 2. Use Compatibiliy Mode on the 7-Zip shortcut and check the Run this program as an administrator box. 3. Run 7-Zip, then click on Tools and Options. Next, click on the Select all button and on OK. (See screenshot below) 4. Insert your retail Vista installation disc into the DVD drive and wait for it to be recognized. 5. In 7-Zip, navigate to your DVD drive letter (ex: E: ) that has the Vista installation disc in it, and double click on the Sources folder. (See screenshot below) 6. Scroll down and double click on the install.wim file. (See screenshot below) 7. You will now see this for a few seconds as it opens. (See screenshot below) 8. Each numbered folder is a different edition of Vista. They will vary depending on what type of Vista installation DVD you have. To see what edition is for each numbered folder, select the 1.xml file and click on the Extract button on the toolbar. (See screenshots below) 9. Copy the 1.xml file to your desktop. (See screenshot below) 10. Open the 1.xml file on the desktop. Look for the IMAGE INDEX # and the Name under it in the code (highlighted in red below) to see what Vista edition is for each numbered folder in step 8. (See code box below with an example 1.xml file) NOTE: This file will open in Internet Explorer by default. - <WIM> <TOTALBYTES>2412491164</TOTALBYTES> - <IMAGE INDEX="1"> <NAME>Windows Vista BUSINESS</NAME> <DESCRIPTION>Windows Vista Business</DESCRIPTION> <FLAGS>BUSINESS</FLAGS> - <WINDOWS> <ARCH>0</ARCH> <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME> <HAL>acpiapic</HAL> <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE> <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE> - <LANGUAGES> <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE> <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT> </LANGUAGES> - <VERSION> <MAJOR>6</MAJOR> <MINOR>0</MINOR> <BUILD>6000</BUILD> <SPBUILD>16386</SPBUILD> </VERSION> <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> </WINDOWS> <DIRCOUNT>6758</DIRCOUNT> <FILECOUNT>37706</FILECOUNT> <TOTALBYTES>7217370857</TOTALBYTES> - <CREATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE83</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0xFACE2238</LOWPART> </CREATIONTIME> - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE96</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x96045D5F</LOWPART> </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> </IMAGE> - <IMAGE INDEX="2"> <NAME>Windows Vista HOMEBASIC</NAME> <DESCRIPTION>Windows Vista HomeBasic</DESCRIPTION> <FLAGS>HOMEBASIC</FLAGS> - <WINDOWS> <ARCH>0</ARCH> <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME> <HAL>acpiapic</HAL> <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE> <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE> - <LANGUAGES> <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE> <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT> </LANGUAGES> - <VERSION> <MAJOR>6</MAJOR> <MINOR>0</MINOR> <BUILD>6000</BUILD> <SPBUILD>16386</SPBUILD> </VERSION> <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> </WINDOWS> <DIRCOUNT>6332</DIRCOUNT> <FILECOUNT>35607</FILECOUNT> <TOTALBYTES>6716880747</TOTALBYTES> - <CREATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE83</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x92D51928</LOWPART> </CREATIONTIME> - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE97</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x395C54EA</LOWPART> </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> </IMAGE> - <IMAGE INDEX="3"> <NAME>Windows Vista HOMEPREMIUM</NAME> <DESCRIPTION>Windows Vista HomePremium</DESCRIPTION> <FLAGS>HOMEPREMIUM</FLAGS> - <WINDOWS> <ARCH>0</ARCH> <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME> <HAL>acpiapic</HAL> <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE> <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE> - <LANGUAGES> <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE> <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT> </LANGUAGES> - <VERSION> <MAJOR>6</MAJOR> <MINOR>0</MINOR> <BUILD>6000</BUILD> <SPBUILD>16386</SPBUILD> </VERSION> <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> </WINDOWS> <DIRCOUNT>6836</DIRCOUNT> <FILECOUNT>37980</FILECOUNT> <TOTALBYTES>8083406637</TOTALBYTES> - <CREATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE84</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x7D5966D0</LOWPART> </CREATIONTIME> - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE98</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x0B9D5D9A</LOWPART> </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> </IMAGE> - <IMAGE INDEX="4"> <NAME>Windows Vista ULTIMATE</NAME> <DESCRIPTION>Windows Vista Ultimate</DESCRIPTION> <FLAGS>ULTIMATE</FLAGS> - <WINDOWS> <ARCH>0</ARCH> <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME> <HAL>acpiapic</HAL> <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE> <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE> - <LANGUAGES> <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE> <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT> </LANGUAGES> - <VERSION> <MAJOR>6</MAJOR> <MINOR>0</MINOR> <BUILD>6000</BUILD> <SPBUILD>16386</SPBUILD> </VERSION> <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> </WINDOWS> <DIRCOUNT>7232</DIRCOUNT> <FILECOUNT>39594</FILECOUNT> <TOTALBYTES>8170796235</TOTALBYTES> - <CREATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE84</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x9AC07836</LOWPART> </CREATIONTIME> - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE98</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0xEA8B4173</LOWPART> </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> </IMAGE> - <IMAGE INDEX="5"> <NAME>Windows Vista HOMEBASICN</NAME> <DESCRIPTION>Windows Vista HomeBasicN</DESCRIPTION> <FLAGS>HOMEBASICN</FLAGS> - <WINDOWS> <ARCH>0</ARCH> <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME> <HAL>acpiapic</HAL> <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE> <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE> - <LANGUAGES> <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE> <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT> </LANGUAGES> - <VERSION> <MAJOR>6</MAJOR> <MINOR>0</MINOR> <BUILD>6000</BUILD> <SPBUILD>16386</SPBUILD> </VERSION> <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> </WINDOWS> <DIRCOUNT>6181</DIRCOUNT> <FILECOUNT>34836</FILECOUNT> <TOTALBYTES>6258860686</TOTALBYTES> - <CREATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE83</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x4D63255F</LOWPART> </CREATIONTIME> - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE99</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x86FA2B08</LOWPART> </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> </IMAGE> - <IMAGE INDEX="6"> <NAME>Windows Vista BUSINESSN</NAME> <DESCRIPTION>Windows Vista BusinessN</DESCRIPTION> <FLAGS>BUSINESSN</FLAGS> - <WINDOWS> <ARCH>0</ARCH> <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME> <HAL>acpiapic</HAL> <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE> <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE> - <LANGUAGES> <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE> <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT> </LANGUAGES> - <VERSION> <MAJOR>6</MAJOR> <MINOR>0</MINOR> <BUILD>6000</BUILD> <SPBUILD>16386</SPBUILD> </VERSION> <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> </WINDOWS> <DIRCOUNT>6605</DIRCOUNT> <FILECOUNT>36930</FILECOUNT> <TOTALBYTES>6756321160</TOTALBYTES> -</CREATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE83</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0xA629EF7C</LOWPART> </CREATIONTIME> - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE9A</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0x69DFB6FB</LOWPART> </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> </IMAGE> - <IMAGE INDEX="7"> <NAME>Windows Vista STARTER</NAME> <DESCRIPTION>Windows Vista Starter</DESCRIPTION> <FLAGS>STARTER</FLAGS> - <WINDOWS> <ARCH>0</ARCH> <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME> <HAL>acpiapic</HAL> <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE> <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE> - <LANGUAGES> <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE> <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT> </LANGUAGES> - <VERSION> <MAJOR>6</MAJOR> <MINOR>0</MINOR> <BUILD>6000</BUILD> <SPBUILD>16386</SPBUILD> </VERSION> <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> </WINDOWS> <DIRCOUNT>6264</DIRCOUNT> <FILECOUNT>35129</FILECOUNT> <TOTALBYTES>6640749307</TOTALBYTES> - <CREATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE87</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0xA27366AF</LOWPART> </CREATIONTIME> - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> <HIGHPART>0x01C6FE9B</HIGHPART> <LOWPART>0xA7338EAC</LOWPART> </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME> </IMAGE> </WIM> 11. Now open the numbered folder that is the same edition as your currently installed Vista edition, and navigate to the Windows\System32 folder. You can now select and extract the system files that you need to your desktop to use to copy and replace your missing or corrupted system files in your currently installed Vista. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You may need to take ownership and "Allow" your account "Full Control" of the file in your current installation before you will be allowed to replace it with the extacted copy. That's it, Shawn Access Vista Install DVD Files How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista How to Do a System Restore in Vista How to Perform a Repair Installation for Vista

How to Prevent or Allow User Profile Folders Location Change in Vista This will show you how to allow or prevent the default locations of the C:\ Users\(user name) Personal User folders from being changed for all user accounts on the computer. These are the Contacts, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Favorites, Links, Music, Pictures, Save Games, Searches, and Videos folders.This is allowed by default in Vista. EXAMPLE: Personal User Profile FoldersNOTE: Location is at C:\Users\(User Name) EXAMPLE: Music Folder Properties Set to Allow and Prevent Location Change NOTE: When prevented the Target location field is still there, but you cannot change it. Through the Local Group Policy Editor 1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied. 2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Desktop. (See screenshot below) 3. In the right pane, right click on Prohibit User from Manually redirecting Profile Folders and click on Properties. (See screenshot above) 4. To Allow User Profile Folders Location Change - A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A) B) Go to step 6. 5. To Prevent User Profile Folders Location Change - A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK. 6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done. Using a REG File Download 1. To Allow User Profile Folders Location Change A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Allow_User_Folders_Location_Change.reg https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/allow_user_folders_location_change-reg.6503/ B) Go to step 3. 2. To Prevent User Profile Folders Location Change A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Prevent_User_Folders_Location_Change.reg https://www.vistax64.com/attachments/prevent_user_folders_location_change-reg.6504/ 3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop. 4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge. 5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted. 6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like. Manually in Registry Editor 1. Open the Start Menu. 2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter. 3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt. 4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer 5. To Prevent User Profile Folders Location Change A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot above) B) Type DisablePersonalDirChange and press Enter. C) Right click on DisablePersonalDirChange and click on Modify. (See screenshot below) D) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below) E) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below) F) Go to step 7. 6. To Allow User Profile Folders Location Change A) In the right pane, right click on DisablePersonalDirChange and click on Delete. (See screenshot above) B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion. 7. Close regedit. That's it, Shawn How to Change a Personal User Folder Location in Vista How to Restore a Missing Personal User Folder in Vista How to Fix a Personal User Shell Folder Displayed as a Standard Yellow Folder Icon in Vista