How can I add the Internet Explorer icon back to the Windows Vista desktop?

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. In Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
3. Create the following key (DWORD 32-bit):
{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}
(just copy/paste, including the brackets)

Note: As always, before making changes to your registry you should always make sure you have a valid backup. In cases where you're supposed to delete or modify keys or values from the registry it is possible to first export that key or value(s) to a .REG file before performing the changes.
4. Close Registry Editor.
There is no need to reboot. Just wait a few seconds and see how the icon appears:

Done!

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Admin 01:17  No comment

Add Logo And Support Information to Vista

You will need to create a small logo of your choice by using any graphics editing tools. Make sure that the logo file is called OEMLOGO.BMP, and, guess what, save it in .BMP format.
Also, the logo file should not be bigger than 120X120 pixels in size.
You can place the file in any directory of your choice, but I suggest you put it in the %systemroot%\system32 folder of your computer (for example - C:\Windows\System32). Note this path, you'll need it later.
The Registry
The next phase is to edit the local Registry and add the support information.

1. In the Start Menu type “Regedit” and press Enter.
   Note: As always, be very careful while the editing the Registry. A small mistake can cause huge damage that will prevent you from booting the computer. If you don’t know what the Registry is, how to edit it and how to back it up, please consult with a skilled IT professional.
2. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OEMInformation
3. If the OEMInformation key does not exist you will need to create it. Right Click the CurrentVersion key and from the drop down menu click New > Key. In the Key dialogue box type OEMInformation and then press Enter.
4. Next, create the following keys and modify them to hold the following values:
   Key name: Logo
   Key type: String Value
   Key value: The path to your logo file, for example: C:\Windows\System32
   Key name: Manufacturer
   Key type: String Value
   Key value: Your name, or the manufacturer's name, for example: Daniel Petri
   Key name: SupportHours
   Key type: String Value
   Key value: Your support hours, for example: Sun – Thu 9am – 5pm
   Key name: SupportPhone
   Key type: String Value
   Key value: Your support phone number, for example: 972-3-9876543
   Key name: SupportURL
   Key type: String Value
   Key value: Your support URL, for example: http://musheersspace.blogspot.com/
   Here is my sample for your reference:
5. 
   
6. Close Regedit.

Note: You can export your settings and make the addition of such settings for more computers by importing the information and OEMLOGO.BMP file to them. In order to export the information, click on the OEMInformation key. Next, go to File > Export, and give the file a name (such as settings.reg). You can then edit the file with Notepad and distribute it to other computers (don't forget the .BMP file).

I added my example of the file for your reference, just copy, paste into a .REG file, and edit it to reflect your own information:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OEMInformation]
"Logo"="C:\\Windows\\System32\\oemlogo.bmp"
"Manufacturer"="Daniel Petri"
"SupportHours"="Sun-Thu 9am-5pm"
"SupportPhone"="972-50-9876543"
"SupportURL"="http://musheersspace.blogspot.com/"
After editing the Registry and pasting the OEMLOGO.BMP file in the right path, go to the My Computer > Properties screen, or press the ÿ + Break key:

Done!

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Admin 01:15  No comment

Removing Vista And Its Boot Loader

If you have Vista and XP in dual-boot and want to get rid of Vista, its boot loader is an obstacle. To get rid of Vista, insert your Windows XP CD and boot from it. Remember to set your first boot device as your CD/DVD drive. Press a key when it tells you to during boot up. When prompted, press [R] to load the Recovery console. Confirm your Windows installation by entering the number. Enter your Administrator password at the prompt. On the prompt, type fixmbr and then type fixboot.

Reboot and you should be able to boot into Windows XP. Make sure you have backed up all critical files. Then format the partition on which Vista was installed to clear out Vista. Another way to do this is to insert your Windows Vista CD and boot into Windows XP as usual. Go to Start > Run, type X:\boot\bootsec.exe /nt52 ALL /force. (Replace X with your CD/DVD drive letter). Reboot and format the Vista partition

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Admin 01:14  No comment

Forgot Windows Vista Admin Password?

Method 1

1. Just pop in the Vista DVD, make sure your BIOS is able to boot (start) from DVD-ROM first.
2. Press any key to boot from DVD when asked.
3. Set the Language to install, Time and currency format and Keyboard or input method

4. Now click Repair your computer, select the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
5. Click System Restore, and then click Next.
6. Click the restore point that was a day before you changed the password, and then click Next.
Doing this will set your computer back in time to the particular date when it was working fine. Don't worry, you won't lose any data -- only that any settings or programs installed after that date will not be accessible anymore. All you've to is re-install and redo any settings that you did.
7. Confirm the disks that you want to restore, and then click Next.
8. Click Finish, and then click Yes when you are prompted.
9. When the System Restore process is complete, hit Restart computer.
10. You can either remove the Windows DVD or just don't hit any key on the keyboard when it asks again to "Press any key." The computer will start much faster if you remove the Vista DVD.
11. After the computer restarts, click Close to confirm that the System Restore process has finished successfully.
12. After you log on with the old password, change the password for the administrator account if you like.
13. This step is most important -- Remember the password this time.
14. Restart the computer to make sure that your new password works fine
Method2
Get Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s NT Password & Registry Editor.The download link of the tool is a bit hidden. Search for “download” on this page

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Admin 01:13  No comment

Quickly Turn On/Off the Aero Theme in Vista

By double-clicking the Aero On or Aero Off shortcuts you can easily disable the Aero effects (including the glass/transparency effects) and that should, in theory, help you maintain a longer battery life while disconnected from the power adapter. This is how it looks when it is disabled:

This is how it looks when you re-enable Aero:

In order to create a Windows Vista Aero On or Off shortcuts follow these steps:

1. Right-Click on the desktop > New > Shortcut
   
2. Type the following commands: 
   Rundll32 dwmApi #102
   
3. Click Next and give the shortcut any name you want, for example "Aero On".
   
4. The default icon for the shortcut is not cool enough, so I usually change it. To change the icon, right-click the shortcut and select Properties. Then click on Change icon.
5. I usually use the Shell32.dll file as it has a big collection of icons. Type Shell32.dll and press enter.
   
6. Choose any icon that you want to use and click Ok all the way out.

Perform the steps 1-6 again to create an Aero Off shortcut. This time use this command:
Rundll32 dwmApi #104
When you double-click on the Aero Off shortcut you will see that although the Aero Theme itself is still functional, the Glass effects are Off.

To turn it on simply double-click on the Aero On shortcut.
BTW, you can add another cool shortcut while you're at it – one that activates the Flip3D. Perform steps 1-6 once again, this time use this command:
Rundll32 dwmApi #105

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Admin 01:12  No comment

Add "Take Ownership" to right-click menu in Vista

The first step is to create a registry file. You can do this by opening Notepad (Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> Notepad) and copying and pasting the following:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas] @="Take Ownership" "Extended"="" "NoWorkingDirectory"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas\command] @="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F" "IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas] @="Take Ownership" "Extended"="" "NoWorkingDirectory"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas\command] @="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t" "IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t"

Save the file with the name Ownership.reg and close Notepad.
Double-click your Ownership.reg file to apply it to the registry.
You will have to grant access, click Continue: (unless you Disable UAC)

The registry editor will give you a security prompt, click Yes.

You will be greeted with the following message from the registry editor, click Ok:

When you hold shift and right-click on a file or folder you will have the option of changing the ownership.

Please note that before the ownership will be changed, you must grant access, click Continue.

In order to verify that the “Take Ownership" dialog successfully processed, you can right-click on a file, choose Properties and then choose Details and you will see the “Owner” section changed to COMPUTERNAME\USERNAME.

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Admin 01:11  No comment

Change Windows Vista Boot Screen

This is the regular Windows Vista boot screen:

All you need is two images at 800×600 and 1024×768 saved as 24-bit Windows bitmaps:
 
Next, follow these steps:

1. Download Dan Smith’s Vista Boot Logo Generator (see link below).
2. Install and run from the link in the Start Menu.
3. Hit Browse for image and select both the 800×600 and 1024×768 resolution bitmap files for your boot screen.
4. Click on File and select Save Boot Screen File As to save your file.
5. Download Vista Boot Logo Generator v1.2 (BETA)
6. Next, you will need to replace the winload.exe.mui file in c:\Windows\System32\en-us with the one you just created. Before you copy in your new file, make a backup of the original. You will need to take ownership of all files in the en-us directory, and also give your account file permissions to replace the files in order to overwrite the original file with the new winload.exe.mui file. If you don't, you'll be prompted with this error:
   
   To do so, log on as an administrator (if you have not done it by now). Open Windows Explorer and go to the c:\Windows\System32\ folder. Right click on the winload.exe.mui file and select Properties.
   
   Next, click on Advanced.
   
   Click on the Ownership tab, and click Edit.
   
   If you are prompted with the User Account Control box, click Continue.
   
   Click to select the Administrator account, or better, the user that you're currently using and which has Administrative capabilities, in my case, Daniel. Click Ok.
   
   Back in the Security tab, click Edit to add your user account.
   
   If you are prompted with the User Account Control box, click Continue.
   
   Click Add, select the desired user account (in my case – Daniel), and click Ok.
   
   After it is shown in the list, select it and click the Full Control checkbox. Click Ok all the way out.
    
7. Now you can save the modified logon file in the c:\Windows\System32\en-us directory. You will be prompted to overwrite the existing file, click Ok.
   
8. Next, you'll be prompted to change the boot setting in the MSCONFIG tool. Click Ok.
   
9. Now, click on the Start button and type in “MSCONFIG” in the textbox.
10. If you are prompted with the User Account Control box, click Continue.
    
11. Once the System Configuration tool loads, click on the Boot tab.
12. Under Boot Options check “No GUI Boot”.
    
13. You will be prompted to reboot. If you want to, press Restart to see the new screen.
    
14. This is your new boot screen. Lame, huh?
    

After go through the step, You can view your new Windows Vista boot screen. In case you messed up your files and would like to get the original files back, you can use the Windows Vista installation DVD to boot up and replace the winload.exe.mui file with your backup.

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Admin 01:09  No comment

How to enable Arabic typing in windows vista?

To add the Arabic language support in English version of Windows you need to follow these instructions:

1. Click on "Start" button and then select "Control Panel".
2. Under "Clock, Language, and Region" area select "Change keyboards or other input methods" link. Note: If you are in the Control Panel "Classic View" then double-click on "Regional and Language Options" icon and click on the tab "keyboard and languages".
3. Click on the "Change keyboards…" button then click on "Add…" button.
4. Expand "Arabic (your Country)" tree then Expand "Keyboard" tree from the list.
5. Make a check mark beside the required keyboard(s).
   Note: You can preview any keyboard before adding it by highlighting its name then click on "Preview…" button.
6. Click "OK" to add the selected keyboards to the "Installed Services".
7. Click "OK" to confirm and apply your new language settings.

Note: If you add more than one keyboard to the same language; you will notice a keyboard icon in the language bar which enables you to switch between the language keyboards.
 

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Admin 01:07  No comment

How to Remove XP From an XP/Vista Dual Boot

1. Restart your computer with either Vista CD 1 or your Vista DVD in the drive, if you don't you will be prompted to pick an operating system. Once into setup, choose repair console from the first screen (not install).Now the last option is for a DOS prompt, pick that. A DOS prompt appears, and type the following:
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
*this will essentially remove XP from the Vista bootloader
bootrec.exe /fixboot
*this will check that XP is no longer present in Vista's boot.ini
Restart and  there will be no more XP
2.By using VistaBootPro
If you're running Windows Vista and want to install a second OS or delete a second OS or manage your boot configuration without directly editing the BCDEdit file you might find it tougher than you thought.

Windows Vista has made this task somewhat complicated for most users. VistaBootPRO was developed to make changes to the Windows Vista Boot Configuration Data (BCD) registry quickly and easily, doing the job in a fraction of the time it would take using the alternative.
VistaBootPRO allows users to easily and neatly organize their boot configuration entries from with in all flavors of Windows.

Download VistaBootPro | SysReq:.NET Framework /WinXP/2003/Vista| 1.7MB
3.By using EasyBCD ver 1.7

Download and install EasyBCD. Launch the app and go to Add/Remove Entries. Under Add/Remove an Entries" select  the entry to remove .

Download |Freeware |741 KB| Windows XP/Vista

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Admin 01:06  No comment

ReadyBoost & SuperFetch

Adding system memory ( RAM) is often the best way to improve a PC's performance, since more memory means more applications are ready to run without accessing the hard drive. However, upgrading memory can be difficult and costly, and some machines have limited memory expansion capabilities, making it impossible to add RAM.
ReadyBoost is a disk caching technology first included with Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system. It aims to make computers running Windows Vista more responsive by using flash memory on a USB 2.0 drive, SD card, CompactFlash, or other form of flash memory, in order to boost system performance.
ReadyBoost uses the flash drive to store information that is being used by the memory manager.  If you are running a lot of applications on a system that has limited memory, Windows ReadyBoost will use the flash drive to create a copy of virtual memory that is not quite as fast as RAM, but a whole lot faster than going to the hard disk.  What is very cool here is that there is nothing stored on this flash disk that isn’t also on the hard disk, so if you remove the flash drive, the memory manager sees the change and automatically goes to the hard disk.  While the performance gain from ReadyBoost is gone, you don’t lose any data and there is no interruption.

Here are the requirements for a ReadyBoost-compatible USB Device:

• The USB Key must be at least USB 2.0
• The device must be able to do 3.5 MB/s for 4 KB random reads uniformly across the entire device and 2.5 MB/s for 512 KB random writes uniformly across the device.
• The USB Key has to have at least 64mb of free space

Windows ReadyBoost relies on the intelligent memory management of Windows SuperFetch and can significantly improve system responsiveness.Windows SuperFetch enables programs and files to load much faster than they would on Windows XP–based PCs.
SuperFetch monitors which applications you use the most and preloads these into your system memory so they'll be ready when you need them. Windows Vista also runs background programs, like disk defragmenting and Windows Defender, at low priority so that they can do their job but your work always comes first.
NOTE: Superfetch is enabled by default.
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type services and press Enter.
3. Click Continue button for UAC prompt.
4. Scroll down and right click on Superfetch and click Properties.
A. To Disable Superfetch -
  1) Click the Stop button and click Disabled under the Startup type: drop down menu.
  2) Click OK.
B. To Enable Superfetch -
  1) Click Automatic (Under Startup type) and click the Apply button, then click the Start button.
  2) Click OK.
  3) Close Services window

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Admin 01:05  No comment