Miscellaneous Commands

cleanmgr /sageset:99 to launch Disk Cleanup
In "search," choose "all files and folders" and enter ~*.tmp to find (and then delete) TMP files

How to configure Windows Firewall with an Exception

The Windows Firewall (installed in XP by Service Pack 2) is a big improvement over the old Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) that comes with XP out of the box. Let's say you have a home network and you want to allow one or more of the computers on the network to access files, but you don't want all the computers on the network to be able to do so. Setting user account permissions on the files and folders won't work if it's connections from specific computers, rather than specific users, that you want to block. However, you can use the Windows Firewall to do it. Here's how:

  1. Click Start | Control Panel | Security Center.
  2. Select Windows Firewall.
  3. Click the Exceptions tab.
  4. Check the box for File and Printer Sharing. At this point, by default all the computers on the subnet will be able to access the file shares.
  5. With File and Printer Sharing highlighted, click the Edit button.
  6. For the associated ports, click the Change Scope button.
  7. Click the Custom List button.
  8. Enter the IP address(es) of the computer(s) that you want to allow access.
  9. Click OK.
Note that you can also use this feature to allow access to all computers, even those on the Internet (NOT recommended).

Where did the lines go?

QUESTION:
This may seem trivial and it is, but it's been bugging me. On my work computer, in Windows Explorer's left "tree" pane, there are little lines that connect the items with those on the same level as them. On my home computer, these lines are missing. It makes it harder to tell what level a folder is at without the lines when you have everything expanded. Both computers are running Windows XP Pro. Can you tell me how to get the lines on my home computer? - A. R.

ANSWER:
This is an easy one, but it's certainly not intuitive. By default, Windows Explorer is in "Simple folder view" (without the lines). To change that get your lines back, just open Windows Explorer and click Tools | Folder options. Click the View menu, and in the Advanced Settings list, click to uncheck the box marked "Display simple folder view in Explorer's Folders list." Click Apply and your lines should be back.

ADMIN VS LIMITED USER info
Potomac, Md.: Do you really think novice users, using a limited account, would be able to install software as 'Administrator' to the 'Shared Documents' folder? I think that is a tall order. I'm a desktop support provider to home and office users, and I'm not convinced that this is a realistic and practical solution that you recommend.
Brian Krebs: Thank you for your question, which I feel is an important one. I debated quite a bit whether to give this advice to readers, because as you mention -- it goes a bit beyond the "use a firewall, anti-virus, and patch" standard advice that everyone gives.
The simple fact is that if Windows users got in the habit of browsing the Web and using their computers with a limited account, they would not have to worry about spyware, viruses, worms, etc.
Now, I will grant you that Microsoft (and especially third-party software makers) haven't made it a cake-walk for users to do this, as there are plenty of titles that require administrator access to run when they really don't need that level of access. Microsoft is trying to fix this problem with Windows Vista, the next version of its operating system (which will essentially lie to those programs that say they need access, tricking them into thinking they actually do have admin access when they don't).
But in the end, you cannot save users from themselves. For example, in cases where children have access to the machine, running a limited account is a must for someone who doesn't want to spend their entire life trying to regain control over their machine. Kids can and will click on and install everything -- including e-mail worms, instant message worms, cute little games that include tons of spyware, etc.
Is it a perfect solution? Absolutely not. Is it going to require the average user to learn more about how their computer operates? Probably. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. Will people criticize the advice I give no matter what I do? You can count on it.
_______________________
Reston, Va.: Hi Brian, I am running Win XP SP2 home edition and have already set up an admin and a limited user account as you have mentioned in your blog. I have most of my files on a separate Hard Drive - D:- . Now that I've created a limited user account, I only have read access to the files on the Ddrive, plus anything on C: not under Documents and Settings-myusername. I can't edit any of the existing files on D:, only save them as a new file name. Do you know how I can get around this limitation? Thanks.
Brian Krebs: Yes, this is one of the things you can run into when running limited accounts, as I alluded to in the answer directly above this one.
One solution is to change the file permissions on the drive/folders you want to access.
Try this: Log in as the administrator. Open up Windows Explorer, and right click on the "D:" drive, and select "Properties." Click on the "Security" tab, and then under the "Group or user names" box, click on the name of the limited user account. If all of the boxes on the left below aren't checked, check them, then hit "Apply."
If that doesn't work, or if you don't see the name of the limited user in the "Group or user names" box, click on the advanced tab, then the "Add" button, and on the next box that pops up, click on "advanced" again. Then select "Find now" from the option on the right of the next box, which should list all of the hidden and non-hidden accounts on the system. Select the user name you want to grant access to, then hit "Ok," then "Ok" again, and that should give allow you to grant extremely specific powers to that user for that drive. Just select the boxes you want to grant, and hit "apply" and "ok" and that should do it.
If that does not work, drop me another question in the queue with your contact info.
Oh, and if you've taken my advice (for better or worse), and are having trouble running certain already-installed programs under your limited user account, check out Yes, this is one of the things you can run into when running limited accounts. The answer is to change the file permissions on the drive/folders you want to access.
Another solution while logged in as administrator is to use the
cacls command
in a Windows command prompt. Using this command, you can grant access to specicic folders to all user accounts on the system. To do this:
--Open a command prompt (click on "Start," "Run," then type "Command" or "Cmd".
--If the folder you want to grant access to is at "C:Program Files\iTunes," then at the prompt that pops up, type:
cacls "Program Files\iTunes"/e/t/p users:c
Oh, and if you've taken my advice (for better or worse), and are having trouble running certain already-installed programs under your limited user account, check out this advice from Microsoft - which has a long list of offending programs and some advice on what to do about them. (this advice from Microsoft) - which includes a long list of offending programs and some advice on what to do about them.
I know this sounds like a lot to take in at first. But if you spend a short amount of time using and configuring the limited account, you can kiss most of your other security concerns goodbye for the most part.

How to Re-register the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer

Some folks are unhappy to find that the patch released by Microsoft last week to address the WMF exploit results in the loss of functionality of the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer (although we warned you of this result in last week's newsletter). If you want your Picture and Fax Viewer back, try this:

  1. Click Start | Run
  2. In the Run box, type: regsvr32 shimgvw.dll
  3. If this doesn't work, try typing this in the Run box: regsvr32 /I shimgvw.dll
This should restore the Picture and Fax Viewer registration and you'll be able to use the program again to look at your digital photos and/or faxes.

Help! My Screen's Upside Down!

QUESTION:
This probably sounds like a stupid question, but recently my brother came to visit and used my computer. After he left, I found the monitor display was upside down! I've tried everything I could think of to fix this and nothing works. I'm getting so desperate I'm actually considering turning the monitor over physically. NOT the fix I want. Can you help? - Allison P.

ANSWER:
Sounds like your brother either 1) decided to play a little trick on you or 2) inadvertently hit the wrong key combo (more on that in a minute), causing the screen to rotate, didn't know how to get it back the right way and was afraid to tell you. Luckily, it's usually easy to correct. Some video cards support rotating the screen 180 degrees. If rotation is enabled on your card, you can turn the display upside down by pressing CTRL+ALT+the down arrow. Setting it right is just as easy: press CTRL+ALT+the up arrow key.

To prevent accidentally rotating the screen in the future, right click an empty spot on the desktop and click Properties (or select Display in Control Panel). In the Display properties dialog box, click the Settings tab and the Advanced button. Click through these tabs. Depending on what video card you have, you may see a checkbox to Enable Rotation. Uncheck the box and then click Apply.

Skin your WMP

You can dress up Windows Media Player (WMP) by downloading the Windows Media Bonus Pack, which is a free collection of skins, sound effects and visualizations, along with tools to convert MP3 to WMA, export playlists to Microsoft Excel, a Media Library Update Wizard, and more. Also included is the Movie Maker Creativity Kit, which helps you to enhance your home videos with titles, clips, images and sound. Best of all, it's all free. Get it here:
http://www.wxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=060117TI-WMP

How to use the System File Checker (SFC)

Sometimes when you install third party software, it may overwrite important operating system files. This can cause instability - or worse. Windows XP includes a command line tool that you can use if you think this may have happened (for example, if you get a message box warning that there is a problem with a .dll or the system just seems unstable). Here's how to use it:

  1. Click Start | Run.
  2. In the Run box, type: sfc /scannow Windows will scan all protected Windows files to verify that they are intact and in their original versions. If they're not, corrupt, missing or incorrect files are replaced. You may be prompted to insert your Windows XP installation CD if your Dllcache folder (where Windows keeps a copy of essential system files) has become corrupt or has been deleted.
To avoid the possibility of having to dig out and insert the OS CD, you can copy the i386 folder from the installation CD to your hard disk, and just point Windows there to find the files it needs. For instructions on how to do so, and more info about scannow, see:
http://www.wxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=060117HT-Update_XP

How to Customize the Start Menu

Is the XP Start menu too "busy" for you? Don't use Outlook Express and want to remove it from its top left "pinned" position on the Start menu, or even better, replace it with the email program you do use? Want to get rid of the links to My Documents and/or other folders on the right side? Want a permanent link to the Administrative Tools on the Start menu? Luckily, you can easily customize it to fit your own needs and preferences. Here's how:

  1. Click an empty space on the Start menu and click Properties.
  2. Click the General tab.
  3. Here you can select whether to include your Web browser and/or e-mail client on the Start menu, and even better, which program to use for each.
  4. Click the Advanced tab.
  5. Under Start Menu Items, you can select which items to display on the right side of the Start menu, and you can also control how each is displayed. For instance, you can choose to display Control Panel as a menu instead of just a link.
  6. On this tab, you can also select whether you want newly installed programs to be highlighted, whether submenus should be opened when you pause on them with your mouse (a feature that can be very annoying), and whether to list your most recently opened documents.

 

Start Menu and Favorites Menu Aren't in Alphabetical Order

QUESTION:
When I install a new program it ends up at the bottom of the Start menu. I'd like the Programs to appear in alphabetical order. Also, the Favorites menu isn't alphabetical, either. Is there a way to make these display in alphabetical order so they'll be easier to navigate? Thanks! - Anna P.

ANSWER:
Some folks like it this way; others prefer an alphabetical arrangement. You had to edit the registry to fix this with older versions of IE, but if you're running IE 5 or above, it's a lot easier. Just do the following:

  1. Click Start | All Programs.
  2. Select any item on the menu.
  3. Right click and select Sort by Name.
You can do the same thing with the Favorites and My Documents menus.

How to prevent a program from being displayed in the Most Frequently Used Programs list

Windows XP displays a list of most frequently used programs in the Start menu. If you don't want a program to be displayed there, you can prevent it (on a program-by-program basis) by editing the registry. Here's how:

  1. Click Start | Run.
  2. Type the following in the Run box: regedit
  3. In the left pane of the registry editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\
  4. Click Edit | New and select String Value.
  5. Name the new string value NoStartPage
  6. Leave the data value empty.
  7. Close the registry editor.
You can repeat the process for all programs that you want to prevent from appearing in the list. You'll need to restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

How to change the XP product key at the time of activation

If you install Windows XP on a second computer using the same CD you used for your first computer, you must purchase a second license. To activate the product, you have to change the product key. Here's how:

  1. Click Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools and select Activate Windows.
  2. Click the option labeled Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Click Change Product Key.
  5. Type in the new key from the second license you purchased.
  6. Click Update.
  7. Click Telephone.
  8. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the activation.

 

How to Remove Hidden Data from Office Documents

If you use change tracking, how can you be sure that only the final version of the document makes it to the recipient, and that first draft text isn't still hiding in there somewhere, waiting to embarrass you? All changes should be removed if you click Accept All Changes in the Reviewing toolbar. See more detailed instructions at:
http://www.wxpnews.com/LKHS0M/060228-Remove

You can also use the Remove Hidden Data utility to get rid of tracked changes and comments in Word XP/2003 documents. Download it here:
http://www.wxpnews.com/LKHS0M/060228-Hidden

If you don't quite trust these methods, one sure-fire way to ensure that your document doesn't include your tracked changes is to convert the Word document to a PDF.

You can also remove metadata from Office documents. This is the information stored with the document that includes such data as the author's name, organization name, name of the computer on which it was composed or server on which it was stored, template information, hidden text or cells, comments, and other file properties or summary information. For instructions on removing metadata, see:
http://www.wxpnews.com/LKHS0M/060228-Metadata

How to create a PPPoE connection

DSL and cable providers often require that you connect to their services via Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE). Windows XP has a built in PPPoE client. Here's how to create a connection:
  1. Click Start | Control Panel and double click Network and Internet Connections.
  2. Click Network Connections and then click Create a New Connection in the Networking Tasks pane.
  3. On the first page of the Network Connection wizard, click Next.
  4. Click Set Up My Connection Manually, then click Next.
  5. Click Connect Using a Broadband Connection that Requires a User Name and Password or Connect Using a Broadband Connection that is Always On, depending on your connection type.
  6. Enter the name of the ISP and click Next.
  7. Enter your user name and password provided by the ISP. Confirm the password, then click Next.
  8. You can optionally add a shortcut to the desktop. Click Finish to complete the wizard.


How to Move the Temp Files Location for CD Recording

You can move the location where XP stores temporary files for recording to a CD. You might want to do this if there isn't enough space on the default drive. Here's how:
  1. Log on as Administrator, put a blank CD in the recorder drive and open the drive in Windows Explorer. If any files are waiting to be written to CD, delete them.
  2. Click Start | Run and type cmd to open a command window.
  3. Type set and press ENTER. This shows you the path for the current user profile. Note it.
  4. Now open the Computer Management console (right click on My Computer and select Manage).
  5. Click Disk Management. Find unallocated disk space on a partition where you want to move the temporary files. Right click the unallocated space and select New Partition. Use the wizard to create a primary partition at least 700 MB in size. Don't assign a drive letter. Instead, mount the drive to: \Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning
  6. Accept the default (NTFS) file system. Click Next, then Finish. Now the temporary files will be stored on the new partition instead of the Windows partition. This only applies to the current user account. If someone logs on with a different account, their temporary files will be saved to the Windows partition (default location).

Can I rename multiple files?

QUESTION:
OK - I give up. Frequently I want to be able to rename a bunch of files in the same directory changing part of the file name but retaining part of the file name. For example, uploading a lot of pictures from a digital camera leaves you with something like:
IMG_001.jpg
IMG_002.jpg
IMG_003.jpg

I would like to rename them to something like:
Vacation-001.jpg
Vacation-002.jpg
Vacation-003.jpg

You used to be able to do this at the DOS command line with wild card commands, etc (I think). How do you do it in XP? - Stephen N.

ANSWER:
Select the files you want to rename using the CTRL key. Then press F2 and type the new name. All the files will be named with the new name and a number in parentheses. For instance, if you select all and type in the name "Vacation," the files will be named Vacation(1).jpg, Vacation(2).jpg and so on.

Another way that gives you more flexibility and options is to download a little utility called Batch File Renamer. It's a free download and you can get it at
http://www.wxpnews.com/LKHS0M/060328-Softforall

 

How to Add Items to the "Send To" Menu in Windows XP

View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 310270
Last Review : November 7, 2001
Revision : 1.0
This article was previously published under Q310270
On This Page
SUMMARY SUMMARY
MORE INFORMATION MORE INFORMATION
  How to Use the Send To Command How to Use the Send To Command
  Add a Destination to the Send To Menu Add a Destination to the Send To Menu
  Remove a Destination from the Send To Menu Remove a Destination from the Send To Menu
REFERENCES REFERENCES
APPLIES TO APPLIES TO

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the Send To command and how to modify the contents of the SendTo folder.
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MORE INFORMATION

By using the Send To command, you can quickly send a file to different locations including a floppy disk, your desktop, another person using e-mail, or the My Documents folder. The SendTo folder contains the shortcuts for the destinations that are displayed on the Send To menu. Every user on the computer has a SendTo folder and can customize its contents.

When you add new destinations to the SendTo folder, they appear on the Send To menu when you right-click a file, and then point to Send To.
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How to Use the Send To Command

In Windows Explorer or My Computer, right-click a file, and then point to Send To. On the shortcut menu that appears, click the destination where you want to send your file. The file is sent to or activated by the destination that you select.

Destinations on the Send To menu can include any of the following:
• Disk drives (local or network)
• Fax printers
• Printers
• Windows-based programs
• Compressed (zipped) folders
• The desktop
• Mail recipients
• The My Documents folder
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Add a Destination to the Send To Menu

By default, the Send To menu in Windows XP lists the following commands (destinations):
• Compressed (zipped) Folder
• Desktop (create shortcut)
• Mail Recipient
• My Documents
• 3 1/2 Floppy (A:)
• CD Drive
To add a destination to the Send To menu, you must add a shortcut to the SendTo folder. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type sendto, and then click OK.
3. Add a destination by doing one of the following:
• Use the drag-and-drop operation to move the item that you want to the SendTo folder; to do so, right-click, and then click Create Shortcuts Here.
-or-
• Point to New on the File menu, and then click Shortcut.

Follow the instructions in the Create Shortcut Wizard.
A new shortcut is created in the SendTo folder, and it is displayed on the Send To menu.
NOTE: To open the SendTo Folder, you can also perform the following steps:
1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. Double-click the drive where Windows is installed (usually drive C, unless you have more than one drive on your computer).
3. If you cannot view the items on your drive when you open it, under System Tasks, click Show the contents of this drive.
4. Double-click the Documents and Settings folder.
5. Double-click the folder of the user whose SendTo menu you want to change (usually your own).
6. Double-click the SendTo folder.
7. The SendTo folder is hidden by default. If the folder is not visible, on the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then on the View tab, click Show hidden files and folders.
NOTE: If you want to add a location to the SendTo menus of other users on the computer, you do not have to repeat these steps, you can copy the shortcut into the other users' SendTo folders.
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Remove a Destination from the Send To Menu

To remove a destination from the Send To menu, do the following:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type sendto, and then click OK.
3. Right-click the shortcut that you want to remove, and then click Delete. The shortcut is removed.
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REFERENCES

Cannot stop device right now

Posted on September 21st, 2004 in Computers, Windows.

Whenever I try to use the “Safely remove hardware” option in windows to remove the hard drive installed in the modular bay of my laptop, I get the following message:

The device 'Generic volume' cannot be stopped right now. Try stopping the device again later.

As far as I could tell, nothing was actually using the drive. I’m only using it to backup files on at the present time.

I disabled Windows indexing, thinking that a system process had the device in use, but that didn’t make a difference.

So I downloaded Filemon for Windows from http://www.sysinternals.com hoping I would be able to see what file was open on the device.

Well wadda ya know … turns out Norton Utilities “Protected Recycle Bin” had the doggone thing open.

When I turned OFF the Norton extensions on the recycle bin for drive D:, I was able to stop the device and safely eject it.