Archive for January, 2017

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How to Export and Import Firewall Policy in Windows 10

January 23rd, 2017 by Admin

Windows Firewall allows you to create custom rules for allowing or blocking an app from accessing the network. If you don’t want to lose all your current firewall settings after reinstalling, or need to migrate the firewall exceptions to a new PC, it’s a good idea to make a backup of your firewall rules. In this tutorial we’ll explain how to export and import firewall policy in Windows 10.

Method 1: Using Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

Just press the Windows key + R shortcut, then type wf.msc in the Run command box and press Enter.

wf-msc

This will open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC snap-in. Under the Actions pane in the right side, you can click the corresponding link to export policy, import policy, or restore default policy.

windows-firewall

Just follow the step-by-step GUI wizard to export/import your firewall policy. The firewall policy will be exported to a single binary file with the .wfw extension.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

If you prefer the command line, you can also backup or restore Windows Firewall rules using the netsh command. Here’s how:

Open the Command Prompt in administrator mode. Type the following command and press Enter. This will export all your firewall policies to a file named firewallpolicy.wfw in the root path of C:\ drive.
netsh advfirewall export "C:\firwallpolicy.wfw"

export-firewall-rules-via-cmd

To import the firewall policy, just paste the following command and press Enter.
netsh advfirewall import "C:\firwallpolicy.wfw"

import-firewall-rules-via-cmd

If you want to restore the firewall policy to the defaults, just type:
netsh advfirewall reset

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How to Enable Old / Vertical Volume Control in Windows 10

January 23rd, 2017 by Admin

When you click the volume icon in the system tray, a new horizontal volume slider will appear on the screen. It just feels a little weird that you have to adjust the volume horizontally. Luckily there is simple registry hack that can help you get back the old / vertical volume control back in Windows 10.

new-volume-control

How to Enable Old / Vertical Volume Control in Windows 10?

  1. Press the Windows key + R shortcut to open the Run command box. Type regedit and press Enter.

    regedit-via-run

  2. When the Registry Editor window opens, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\MTCUVC

    If the MTCUVC key doesn’t exist, right-click on CurrentVersion and then choose New -> Key. Name the new key MTCUVC.

    new-registry-key

  3. Select the MTCUVC key on the left pane. Right-click any empty space on the right pane, then choose New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.

    new-dword-value

  4. Name this new DWORD EnableMtcUvc and leave the Value data to be 0. If you want to enable the new / horizontal Volume Control later, just change its data back to 1.

    EnableMtcUvc

  5. Log out of your Windows account and log back in. Click the Volume icon in the system tray and you should see your old vertical Windows mixer.

    old-volume-control

    Actually, this tweak might work instantly without having to log out or restart your PC.

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4 Options to Rename One or Multiple Worksheet Tabs in Excel

January 23rd, 2017 by Admin

How can I rename multiple worksheets at one time using VBA code? In Excel, you can assign a unique name to each sheet tab in your workbook so you can easily find the tab you want. In this tutorial we’ll show you 4 simple methods to rename one or multiple worksheet tabs in Excel.

Note: The name of a worksheet tab can have a maximum of 30 characters only.

Option 1: Rename worksheet tab with the “Rename” shortcut menu

Right-click on a specific tab you want to rename. You can see many options coming up when you right click. From there, choose the Rename shortcut menu.

worksheet-rename-menu

Type a name that you want to give to the worksheet tab and press Enter. Repeat this procedure for each tab you want to rename.

type-new-name-for-worksheet

Option 2: Rename worksheet tab by double-clicking the tab

Another way to rename a worksheet tab in Excel is by double-clicking on the sheet tab. When you double-click on the worksheet tab at the bottom, the tab name (e.g. Sheet1) is highlighted. After that, you just have to type the new name.

double-click-sheet-to-rename

Option 3: Rename worksheet tab using keyboard shortcut

Select the worksheet tab that you want to rename, then press the keyboard shortcut Alt + O + H + R (Just press these 4 keys on the keyboard one by one in the sequence), type a name and press Enter.

Option 4: Rename multiple worksheet tabs using VBA code

It could be a time-consuming task if you use the above methods to rename lots of worksheet tabs. To simplify the job, you can rename multiple worksheet tabs using VBA code.

  1. After opening your Excel workbook, press the Alt + F11 shortcut to open Visual Basic Editor. Right-click on VBAProject on the left pane and choose Insert -> Module to insert a new module.
  2. Copy the following VBA code and paste it to the right pane of the VBA editor (“Module1” window). Click the Run menu, and select Run Macro.

    Sub RenamingSheets()
    nmbr = InputBox("What's the first number you want to name the sheets?", "Renaming Sheets")
    For ws = 1 To Worksheets.Count
    Sheets(ws).Name = "KB" & nmbr
    nmbr = nmbr + 1
    Next ws
    End Sub

    rename-sheet-with-vba

  3. All your worksheet tabs will be quickly renamed with new names like “KB1”. You can change the VBA code to rename worksheet to what you want.

    multiple-sheets-renamed

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Restore Missing “Extract All” Option to ZIP Right-Click Menu

January 17th, 2017 by Admin

Windows has built-in native support for ZIP files. When you right-click on a .zip file in Windows Explorer, the “Extract All” option from context menu allows you to extract all contents of the zip file to a folder of your choice.

If the “Extract All” option is missing or overridden by third-party zip/unzip software, you can restore it with a registry hack in Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista.

How to Restore Missing “Extract All” Option to ZIP Right-Click Menu?

This registry hack requires you to log into Windows as administrator. Follow these steps:

  1. Download this REG file (add_extract_all_context_menu.reg) and save it to a folder where you can find easily. Tips: the .reg file is actually a text file and you can view the content using NotePad.
  2. After the download is complete, double-click on the .REG file. Click Run if prompted by Security Warning.
  3. Registry Editor will confirm if you want to import the registry settings in your .reg file, click Yes.

    add-extract-all-context-menu

  4. Once it’s done, right-click on a .zip file and the “Extract All” option will show up in the Explorer’s right-click context menu.

If you want to remove the “Extract All” option from Explorer’s right-click menu, you can run this .reg file (remove_extract_all_context_menu.reg) instead. That’s all there is to it.

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How to Set a Password on Outlook 2016 Data File

January 16th, 2017 by Admin

Let’s say you share a computer with other people. To prevent other users from viewing your email messages in Outlook, you’d better set a password to protect your Outlook data file (.pst). In this tutorial we’ll show you how to set a password on Outlook data file in Outlook 2016.

How to Set a Password on Outlook 2016 Data File?

  1. Open the Outlook 2016 application. Right-click on the name of your email account in the left pane, and then select “Data File Properties” from the popup menu.

    outlook-data-file-properties

  2. This will open the Properties dialog box. Click on the General tab, and from there click on the Advanced button.

    outlook-account-properties

  3. The “Outlook Data File” dialog box will appear. Now click on the Change Password button.

    outlook-data-file

  4. You will be asked to enter an old password if you have previously set a password for your Outlook data file. If not, leave the field blank and enter a new password and verify the password. Click OK.

    change-outlook-data-file-password

    Note: If you share a computer with others, don’t select the “Save this password in your password list” check box. Anyone with access to the computer could potentially open your .pst file.

  5. The next time you open Outlook 2016, the Outlook Data File Password dialog box displays asking you to enter your pst password before you can access your email account.

    outlook-ask-data-file-password

Setting a password on your Outlook data file is one of the easiest ways to protect others against accessing your Outlook emails and calendars. If you want to change Outlook data file password later, just access the Change Password dialog box using the steps we described above. Enter your current password in the “Old password” field, then type your new password. That’s all!

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6 Quick Ways to Open Settings App in Windows 10

January 12th, 2017 by Admin

PC Settings is a touch-friendly app introduced since Windows 8, which is created to replace the classic Control Panel. The option to change Windows password is not available in Control Panel, and now you have to change it through PC Settings. In this tutorial we’ll show you 6 quickest ways to open Settings app in Windows 10.

windows-10-pc-settings

Method 1: Press WIN + I Hotkey to Open the Settings app

Just press the Windows + I shortcut keys together on your keyboard. This should be the fastest way to open the Settings app in Windows 10.

Method 2: Open the Settings app from Start Menu

Click the Start button. When the Start Menu appears, click the Settings icon (a little gear icon directly above the Power icon) near the menu’s bottom-left corner. The Settings app will launch immediately.

open-settings-via-start-menu

Method 3: Open the Settings app via Cortana Search

Click the Cortana Search box in the taskbar and type settings. Once the search results are loaded, click the Settings modern app.

open-settings-via-cortana

Method 4: Right-click Taskbar to Open the Settings app

Right-click on any empty space on Windows 10 taskbar, and then select Settings from the context menu.

open-settings-via-taskbar

Method 5: Open the Settings app in Windows 10 from Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt (or PowerShell) in Windows 10. Type the following command at the Command Prompt.
start ms-settings:

open-settings-from-cmd

Once you press Enter, Windows 10 will instantly launch the Settings app.

Method 6: Open the Settings app in Windows 10 from Run

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command box. Type ms-settings: and press Enter. This will open the Settings app immediately.

open-settings-via-run

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How to Disable or Uninstall Internet Explorer in Windows 10

January 10th, 2017 by Admin

With Windows 10, Microsoft introduced a new browser called Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer becomes an optional component that you can uninstall it from Control Panel. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to disable / uninstall Internet Explorer in Windows 10. After uninstalling, you can reinstall Internet Explorer again using the similar steps.

How to Disable or Uninstall Internet Explorer in Windows 10?

  1. Open the Control Panel in Windows 10. This can be done by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Control Panel from the menu.

    open-control-panel-via-winx

  2. Once Control Panel is launched, set the View by option to Large icons. Click Programs and Features.

    programs-and-features

  3. On the left side, click the link called Turn Windows features on or off.

    turn-windows-features-on-off

  4. In the Windows Features window, uncheck the Internet Explorer 11 option and click OK. (If you want to install Internet Explorer later, just check that option again).

    uninstall-internet-explorer

  5. You will get a confirmation dialog that says: “Turning off Internet Explorer might affect other Windows features and programs installed on your computer, including default settings“. Click Yes.

    turn-off-internet-explorer

  6. When the uninstallation is done, you’ll be prompted to restart the PC.

    windows-needs-reboot

    After rebooting, you should be unable to open Internet Explorer in Windows 10.

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How to Change Active / Inactive Title Bar Color in Windows 10

January 10th, 2017 by Admin

Don’t like white title bar in Windows 10? By default, the title bar is white for both active window and inactive window. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to change the active / inactive title bar color in Windows 10.

Part 1: Change Active Title Bar Color in Windows 10

  1. Right-click on any empty space on the desktop, select Personalize from the context menu.

    personalize

  2. When the Settings window opens, click Colors on the left side.
  3. On the right side, pick an accent color and turn on the “Show color on title bar” setting.

    show-color-on-title-bar

When it’s done, Windows 10 will display your selected color for the title bar of any active window. But inactive title bar remains white as usual.

Part 2: Change Inactive Title Bar Color in Windows 10

Unfortunately there is no option to change the color of inactive title bar in the Settings app, and you have to change it using this registry hack:

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command box. Type regedit and hit Enter.

    regedit-via-run

  2. Once the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\DWM
  3. Right-click the DWM key on the left side, select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu.

    registry-new-dword

  4. Name the new DWORD value as AccentColorInactive. Then double-click on AccentColorInactive on the right side. In the popup window, type the RGB value of the color of your choice under Value data box and click OK. You may need to google the RGB value of your preferred color.

    AccentColorInactive

  5. Close Registry Editor. You’ve successfully changed the title bar color for inactive window.

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How to Reinstall Windows 10 Mail App

January 9th, 2017 by Admin

Can’t open the Mail and Calendar app in Windows 10? Is it constantly crashing or freezing? Mail is the built-in email client that comes with every Windows 10 installation. If your Mail app stops working, you can consider reinstalling the “Mail and Calendar” app in Windows 10.

windows-10-mail-app

Part 1: Uninstall “Mail and Calendar” App Using PowerShell

  1. To get started, open PowerShell in administrative mode. You might need to click Yes when you see the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.
  2. When the PowerShell prompt opens, paste the following command and hit Enter.
    Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage

    uninstall-windows-10-mail

  3. This will remove / uninstall the “Mail and Calendar” app within one minute.

Part 2: Install “Mail and Calendar” App from Windows 10 Store

  1. Launch the Store app from Windows 10 Start Menu.
  2. Click the Search box in the Store’s upper-right corner, type “Mail and Calendar” and open its page. Click the Install button.

    install-mail-and-calendar

  3. Once the app is installed, you’ll see the “This product is installed” message below the description of the “Mail and Calendar” app. Now you can access the Mail app from Windows 10 Start Menu.

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