Disable Hibernation; delete the Hibernation file

Windows places a file on your hard drive that it uses when your computer goes into hibernation mode. If you do not use hibernation mode, or your computer does not properly support it, you may want to disable hibernation and clear the file off your hard drive to free up some space (the file will use as much space as you have in physical memory, so if you have 1GB of RAM, it’s going to use 1GB of your hard drive space). Disable Hibernation: 1. Click Start, All Programs, and then right click on "Command Prompt". 2. From the context menu click on "Run as administrator". 3. If User Account Control prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue. 4. In the command prompt window, type "powercfg –h off" (without the quotes). 4. Close the Command Prompt window. Delete the Hibernation File: 1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click "Disk Cleanup". 2. If prompted to choose a drive, select the drive in which Windows Vista is installed on to and press OK. 3. Disk Cleanup will scan the hard drive and present you with a list of options. 4. Check "Hibernation File Cleaner", and then click OK. 5. When asked "Are you sure you want to permanently delete these files?" click on the Delete Files button.

Disable Hibernation & delete the Hibernation file

Windows places a file on your hard drive that it uses when your computer goes into hibernation mode. If you do not use hibernation mode, or your computer does not properly support it, you may want to disable hibernation and clear the file off your hard drive to free up some space (the file will use as much space as you have in physical memory, so if you have 1GB of RAM, it’s going to use 1GB of your hard drive space).

Disable Hibernation:
1. Click Start, All Programs, and then right click on "Command Prompt".
2. From the context menu click on "Run as administrator".
3. If User Account Control prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue.
4. In the command prompt window, type "powercfg –h off" (without the quotes).
4. Close the Command Prompt window.

Delete the Hibernation File:
1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click "Disk Cleanup".
2. If prompted to choose a drive, select the drive in which Windows Vista is installed on to and press OK.
3. Disk Cleanup will scan the hard drive and present you with a list of options.
4. Check "Hibernation File Cleaner", and then click OK.
5. When asked "Are you sure you want to permanently delete these files?" click on the Delete Files button.


Vista - Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - Neowin Forums

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Enable the Aurora boot screen

If you are tired of the default boot screen in Windows Vista, there is a better looking one hidden away:

1) Press the Windows button, type msconfig and press Enter.
2) If User Account Control prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue.
3) In the "System Configuration" window, click on the Boot tab.
4) Select your Windows Vista installation and under "Boot options", check "No GUI boot".
Press OK.
5) In the dialog that appears, check "Don’t show this message again", and then click on Restart.
6) Your computer will now reboot, and you will see the Aurora boot screen with text that says "Starting Windows Vista".

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Enable the Aurora boot screen

If you are tired of the default boot screen in Windows Vista, there is a better looking one hidden away:

1) Press the Windows button, type msconfig and press Enter.
2) If User Account Control prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue.
3) In the "System Configuration" window, click on the Boot tab.
4) Select your Windows Vista installation and under "Boot options", check "No GUI boot".
Press OK.
5) In the dialog that appears, check "Don’t show this message again", and then click on Restart.
6) Your computer will now reboot, and you will see the Aurora boot screen with text that says "Starting Windows Vista".

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Toggle Check Boxes Context Menu Item

You can set up Windows to add check boxes to file views (see picture) to make it easier to select several files at once.
This gives you the option to select files without having to press keys on your keyboard, and helps ensure that you won't accidentally lose your file selection if you click the wrong location.

   

You can enable this feature in "Folder and Search Options":
Open a Folder, click the Organize button, click "Folder and Search Options", click the View tab, select the Use check boxes to select items check box, and click OK.

The files in the zip file below add a "Toggle Check Boxes" Context Menu Item to all folders.
You can access the Context Menu Item by holding down Shift + right-click on/in a folder.

Install: Copy TCB.exe to your Windows directory and merge "Add ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".
Uninstall: Remove TCB.exe from your Windows directory and merge "Remove ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".

> ToggleCheckBoxes.zip ( 170 KB )


Vista - Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - Neowin Forums

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Toggle Check Boxes Context Menu Item

You can set up Windows to add check boxes to file views (see picture) to make it easier to select several files at once.
This gives you the option to select files without having to press keys on your keyboard, and helps ensure that you won't accidentally lose your file selection if you click the wrong location.

   

You can enable this feature in "Folder and Search Options":
Open a Folder, click the Organize button, click "Folder and Search Options", click the View tab, select the Use check boxes to select items check box, and click OK.

The files in the zip file below add a "Toggle Check Boxes" Context Menu Item to all folders.
You can access the Context Menu Item by holding down Shift + right-click on/in a folder.

Install: Copy TCB.exe to your Windows directory and merge "Add ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".
Uninstall: Remove TCB.exe from your Windows directory and merge "Remove ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".

> ToggleCheckBoxes.zip ( 170 KB )


Vista - Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - Neowin Forums

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Toggle Check Boxes Context Menu Item

You can set up Windows to add check boxes to file views (see picture) to make it easier to select several files at once.
This gives you the option to select files without having to press keys on your keyboard, and helps ensure that you won't accidentally lose your file selection if you click the wrong location.

   

You can enable this feature in "Folder and Search Options":
Open a Folder, click the Organize button, click "Folder and Search Options", click the View tab, select the Use check boxes to select items check box, and click OK.

The files in the zip file below add a "Toggle Check Boxes" Context Menu Item to all folders.
You can access the Context Menu Item by holding down Shift + right-click on/in a folder.

Install: Copy TCB.exe to your Windows directory and merge "Add ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".
Uninstall: Remove TCB.exe from your Windows directory and merge "Remove ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".

> ToggleCheckBoxes.zip ( 170 KB )

Toggle Check Boxes Context Menu Item

You can set up Windows to add check boxes to file views (see picture) to make it easier to select several files at once.
This gives you the option to select files without having to press keys on your keyboard, and helps ensure that you won't accidentally lose your file selection if you click the wrong location.

   

You can enable this feature in "Folder and Search Options":
Open a Folder, click the Organize button, click "Folder and Search Options", click the View tab, select the Use check boxes to select items check box, and click OK.

The files in the zip file below add a "Toggle Check Boxes" Context Menu Item to all folders.
You can access the Context Menu Item by holding down Shift + right-click on/in a folder.

Install: Copy TCB.exe to your Windows directory and merge "Add ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".
Uninstall: Remove TCB.exe from your Windows directory and merge "Remove ToggleCheckBoxes.reg".

> ToggleCheckBoxes.zip ( 170 KB )

Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Windows

Ctrl+Shift+Esc -> Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del -> Tasks Screen)
Ctrl+Shift+Enter -> Run an executable with elevated privileges
Windows logo key+1-0 -> Launch the shortcuts on the Quick Launch toolbar
Windows logo key+T -> Cycle through programs on the taskbar
Windows logo key+Tab -> Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Flip 3-D
Ctrl+Windows logo key+Tab -> Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Flip 3-D
Windows logo key+Spacebar -> Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
Windows logo key+G -> Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
Windows logo key+X -> Open Windows Mobility Center
Open a folder and press & release Alt -> Show Menu Bar (also works in Internet Explorer)

Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Windows

Ctrl+Shift+Esc -> Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del -> Tasks Screen)
Ctrl+Shift+Enter -> Run an executable with elevated privileges
Windows logo key+1-0 -> Launch the shortcuts on the Quick Launch toolbar
Windows logo key+T -> Cycle through programs on the taskbar
Windows logo key+Tab -> Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Flip 3-D
Ctrl+Windows logo key+Tab -> Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Flip 3-D
Windows logo key+Spacebar -> Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
Windows logo key+G -> Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
Windows logo key+X -> Open Windows Mobility Center
Open a folder and press & release Alt -> Show Menu Bar (also works in Internet Explorer)

Disable or Remove Autorun Files

Removable USB/thumb drives use the Autorun feature to load files when the drives are plugged into the USB port. Malware exploits the Autorun feature to spread from thumb drive to PC. Disable the autorun feature to prevent malware from spreading.

Here's How:

1. The easiest and most effective means to truly disable autorun can be done via this simple autorun registry hack: 

REGEDIT4 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf] 
@="@SYS:DoesNotExist"

2. To use this method, Open Notepad and copy/paste the following into a text file:

REGEDIT4 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf] 
@="@SYS:DoesNotExist"
Save the file as something.reg. (You have to be sure to change the "Save File as Type" to "All Files" before saving, or Windows will try to save it as a .txt even if you typed in .reg. 

3. Locate the file you just saved and double-click the file to run it. You will receive a prompt asking if you want to add the data to the registry. Click yes to allow the modification.

4. The above method nulls any request for autorun.inf and works on XP Home or Pro, as well as Windows Vista. Credit for this tip goes to Nick Brown.
If you opt to disable autorun using any other method, you will first need to install an autorun patch from Microsoft that allegedly resolves issues that cause autorun to run even after it's been disabled (using methods other than the above recommended method).

5. XP Pro users who have installed the appropriate Microsoft patch for your system and wish to disable autorun using a method other than described above, follow steps 3 through 8 only. XP Home users begin at step 9. Vista users, see How to Disable Autorun in Windows Vista.

6. Windows XP Pro users: Click Start and then click Run. Type gpedit.msc and click OK. The Group Policy window will open. In the left pane, double-click Administrative Templates

7. In the right pane, double-click System, scroll down the list and double-click Turn Off Autoplay

8. In the Turn Off Autoplay Properties window, select Enabled. From the dropdown next to Turn Off Autoplay on, select All drives and then click OK. Exit Group Policy by selecting File, then choosing Exit from the menu.

9. XP Home users will need to make the changes by editing the registry directly. To begin, click Start and then click Run

10. Type regedit and click OK. The Registry Editor window will open.

11. In the left pane, navigate to: 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Policies > Explorer. 

(Note: For help navigating the registry, see the Windows Basics System Registry tutorial).

12. With Explorer highlighted, in the right-pane right click the value NoDriveTypeAutoRun and select Modify from the drop down menu. The base value will be set to Hexadecimal. If not, select Hexadecimal.

13. Type 95 and click OK. 

Note that this will stop Autorun on removable/USB drives, but still allow it on CD ROM drives. If you want to disable autorun on both, substitute b5 for the 95. (Thanks to Ian L. of Manitoba for the tip).

14. Exit Registry Editor by selecting File, then choosing Exit from the menu.

15. You will now need to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

Disable or Remove Autorun Files

Removable USB/thumb drives use the Autorun feature to load files when the drives are plugged into the USB port. Malware exploits the Autorun feature to spread from thumb drive to PC. Disable the autorun feature to prevent malware from spreading.

Here's How:

1. The easiest and most effective means to truly disable autorun can be done via this simple autorun registry hack: 

REGEDIT4 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf] 
@="@SYS:DoesNotExist"

2. To use this method, Open Notepad and copy/paste the following into a text file:

REGEDIT4 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf] 
@="@SYS:DoesNotExist"
Save the file as something.reg. (You have to be sure to change the "Save File as Type" to "All Files" before saving, or Windows will try to save it as a .txt even if you typed in .reg. 

3. Locate the file you just saved and double-click the file to run it. You will receive a prompt asking if you want to add the data to the registry. Click yes to allow the modification.

4. The above method nulls any request for autorun.inf and works on XP Home or Pro, as well as Windows Vista. Credit for this tip goes to Nick Brown.
If you opt to disable autorun using any other method, you will first need to install an autorun patch from Microsoft that allegedly resolves issues that cause autorun to run even after it's been disabled (using methods other than the above recommended method).

5. XP Pro users who have installed the appropriate Microsoft patch for your system and wish to disable autorun using a method other than described above, follow steps 3 through 8 only. XP Home users begin at step 9. Vista users, see How to Disable Autorun in Windows Vista.

6. Windows XP Pro users: Click Start and then click Run. Type gpedit.msc and click OK. The Group Policy window will open. In the left pane, double-click Administrative Templates

7. In the right pane, double-click System, scroll down the list and double-click Turn Off Autoplay

8. In the Turn Off Autoplay Properties window, select Enabled. From the dropdown next to Turn Off Autoplay on, select All drives and then click OK. Exit Group Policy by selecting File, then choosing Exit from the menu.

9. XP Home users will need to make the changes by editing the registry directly. To begin, click Start and then click Run

10. Type regedit and click OK. The Registry Editor window will open.

11. In the left pane, navigate to: 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Policies > Explorer. 

(Note: For help navigating the registry, see the Windows Basics System Registry tutorial).

12. With Explorer highlighted, in the right-pane right click the value NoDriveTypeAutoRun and select Modify from the drop down menu. The base value will be set to Hexadecimal. If not, select Hexadecimal.

13. Type 95 and click OK. 

Note that this will stop Autorun on removable/USB drives, but still allow it on CD ROM drives. If you want to disable autorun on both, substitute b5 for the 95. (Thanks to Ian L. of Manitoba for the tip).

14. Exit Registry Editor by selecting File, then choosing Exit from the menu.

15. You will now need to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

7 Interesting Quick-Tips for Windows Vista

How to do a Vista cleanup after installing SP1 - Once you have installed Vista SP1 and you are certain that you wont uninstall it or downgrade back to Vista, you can do a cleanup of Windows Vista. All you have to do is go to Run command (’Windows Button + R’ or ‘Start -> Run’ after following Tip 6), and enter vsp1cln.exe

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7 Interesting Quick-Tips for Windows Vista

How to do a Vista cleanup after installing SP1 - Once you have installed Vista SP1 and you are certain that you wont uninstall it or downgrade back to Vista, you can do a cleanup of Windows Vista. All you have to do is go to Run command (’Windows Button + R’ or ‘Start -> Run’ after following Tip 6), and enter vsp1cln.exe

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Setting up a home network - Windows Vista Help

Before you start: To decide what type of network to set up or to find out what hardware and cables you need, see What you need to set up a home network. That topic has information about the different types of networks (also known as network technologies), as well as hardware requirements for each type.

Once you know what type of network you want and have the necessary hardware, there are four possible steps to take (two of these are not always required):

1.	Install any necessary hardware.
2.	Set up an Internet connection (optional).
3.	Connect the computers.
4.	Run the Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard (wireless only).

Each of these steps is described in detail later in this article.

Start by setting up one computer. Once you set up the network and you are sure that the first computer is working correctly, you can add additional computers or devices.

NoteThis information is designed for people who have a broadband connection (usually DSL or cable) to the Internet rather than a dial-up connection.

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Setting up a home network - Windows Vista Help

Before you start: To decide what type of network to set up or to find out what hardware and cables you need, see What you need to set up a home network. That topic has information about the different types of networks (also known as network technologies), as well as hardware requirements for each type.

Once you know what type of network you want and have the necessary hardware, there are four possible steps to take (two of these are not always required):

1.	Install any necessary hardware.
2.	Set up an Internet connection (optional).
3.	Connect the computers.
4.	Run the Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard (wireless only).

Each of these steps is described in detail later in this article.

Start by setting up one computer. Once you set up the network and you are sure that the first computer is working correctly, you can add additional computers or devices.

NoteThis information is designed for people who have a broadband connection (usually DSL or cable) to the Internet rather than a dial-up connection.

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Startup & Shutdown: Vista Considerations

One of the most advertised benefits of Windows Vista is its faster boot time than Windows XP. But it doesn’t happen without finetuning system.

Microsoft has tried to reduce boot up time by reworking its boot sequence. Even though Vista is designed to boot faster than WinXP, many of the same XP tweaks can be used to trim precious seconds from Vista’s startup time, such as using Windows’ System Configuration Utility (Msconfig) to eliminate unnecessary Startup items.

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Startup & Shutdown: Vista Considerations

One of the most advertised benefits of Windows Vista is its faster boot time than Windows XP. But it doesn’t happen without finetuning system.

Microsoft has tried to reduce boot up time by reworking its boot sequence. Even though Vista is designed to boot faster than WinXP, many of the same XP tweaks can be used to trim precious seconds from Vista’s startup time, such as using Windows’ System Configuration Utility (Msconfig) to eliminate unnecessary Startup items.

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