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Set a Default Background Wallpaper for Windows 10 Desktop

June 8th, 2017 by Admin

Need to set a default wallpaper for all users on a computer? In this tutorial we’ll show you use group policy to set the default desktop wallpaper background in Windows 10. This will also prevent users from changing the background wallpaper.

Method 1: Set Default Background Wallpaper for Windows 10 Desktop Using Group Policy

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

    gpedit

  2. In Local Group Policy Editor, browse to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Desktop -> Desktop, and then double-click the Desktop Wallpaper policy on the right side.

    desktop-wallpaper-policy

  3. Select the Enabled option, and then type the path of the image you want to set as a default background. Click Apply and OK.

    desktop-wallpaper-gpo

  4. You have to log off and login once to see the changed desktop wallpaper.

Method 2: Set Default Background Wallpaper for Windows 10 Desktop Using Registry Editor

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

    regedit

  2. In the Registry Editor, browse to the following key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

    policies-new-subkey

    Right-click the Policies key on the left side, select New -> Key. Name it System.

  3. While the newly-created System key is selected, right-click any empty space on the right side, select New -> String Value. Name the string Wallpaper and set its value to the path for the default wallpaper you want to use: For example, C:\defaultwallpaper.jpg.

    set-desktop-wallpaper-registry

  4. Close Registry Editor. You’ll need to restart your computer to see the new default wallpaper.

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Quick Ways to Open Sticky Notes App in Windows 10

June 7th, 2017 by Admin

Sticky Notes is a built-in app that has existed in Windows for about a decade. With Windows 10 Anniversary Update, Sticky Notes is transformed into a shiny, new Windows Store app, and you can’t open it any longer by pressing WIN + R keys then typing StikyNot. In this tutorial we’ll show you the quickest ways to open Sticky Notes app in Windows 10.

windows-10-sticky-notes

Method 1: Open Sticky Notes in Windows 10 Using Cortana Search

Click the Cortana Search box on the taskbar, and then type sticky.

search-sticky-notes-in-cortana

Next click Sticky Notes from the search result to launch the app.

Method 2: Open Sticky Notes in Windows 10 Using Start Menu

In Windows 10, the Sticky Notes app is no longer available in the Accessories section of Start Menu, but you can still find it in the Start Menu. Go to the Start Menu and click All apps, you can find it under “S” in the Start Menu.

sticky-notes-in-start-menu

Method 3: Pin Sticky Notes Shortcut to Taskbar for Quick Access

If you need to open or use Sticky Notes app frequently, you can pin its shortcut to your taskbar. Just type sticky in Cortana’s search box. Right-click on the Sticky Notes app in the result, and then choose “Pin to taskbar“.

pin-sticky-notes-to-taskbar

That’s it!

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2 Ways to Prevent Uninstalling Apps from Windows 10 Start Menu

June 5th, 2017 by Admin

Windows 10 Start Menu allows you to easily uninstall app by right-clicking on it and selecting Uninstall. While this is really convenient, you might want to disable this feature and stop others from uninstalling apps on your computer. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to use group policy or registry trick to prevent uninstalling apps from both Start Menu and Settings in Windows 10.

uninstall-apps-from-windows-10-start

Method 1: Prevent Uninstalling Apps from Windows 10 Start Menu Using Group Policy

  1. Press the Windows Key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog. Type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.

    gpedit

  2. When the Local Group Policy Editor window appears, browse to the following path in the left sidebar:
    User Configuration > Administrative Template > Start Menu and Taskbar

    prevent-users-from-uninstalling-apps

    Double-click the Prevent users from uninstalling applications from Start policy on the right.

  3. Select Enabled and then click OK.

    block-users-from-uninstall-apps

  4. Reboot your computer for the policy to take effect. When you right-click on an app in the Start menu, you shouldn’t find the uninstall option now. If you dig into the Settings -> Apps & features, then select any app and you’ll see the “Uninstall” option is also grayed out.

    prevent-uninstall-apps-from-windows-10-settings

Method 2: Prevent Uninstalling Apps from Windows 10 Start Menu Using Registry Editor

Since Local Group Policy Editor isn’t available in the Home edition of Windows 10, you may need to modify the registry to stop users from uninstalling apps. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.

    regedit

  2. Navigate to the following registry location:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

    Right-click the Windows key in the left pane, and then select New -> Key and name it Explorer.

    create-explorer-registry-key

  3. Right-click the newly-created Explorer key, and then select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it NoUninstallFromStart and change its value from 0 to 1.

    NoUninstallFromStart

  4. Close Registry Editor and then reboot your computer. When you log back in to Windows 10, you should no longer see the “Uninstall” option in the context menu when right-clicking an app from the Start menu.

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Enable or Disable “Set Time (Zone) Automatically” in Windows 10

May 29th, 2017 by Admin

Windows 10 doesn’t update date and time automatically? Windows 10 set time zone automatically not working? By default, Windows 10 determines your location based on your IP address, and this location will be used to set your time zone. But, if Windows has problem detecting your IP address accurately, it may set a wrong time zone and you have to turn off the “Set Time Zone Automatically” feature. In this tutorial we’ll show you 2 simple ways to enable or disable “Set Time (Zone) Automatically” in Windows 10.

Method 1: Enable or Disable “Set Time (Zone) Automatically” in Windows 10 Using Settings

  1. Right-click on the time display on bottom-right of the taskbar and then choose “Adjust date/time“.

    adjust-date-time

  2. This will open the Date & time page in the Settings window. In the right pane you can see these two settings: “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically“.

    windows-10-set-time-automatically

  3. Just toggle slider button to the On or Off position.

Method 2: Enable or Disable “Set Time (Zone) Automatically” in Windows 10 Using Registry Editor

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

    regedit

  2. When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters
  3. In the right pane you can see a string value named Type. If you want Windows 10 to set time automatically, set its value data to NTP. To disable automatic time synchronization, change its value to NoSync.

    set-time-automatically

  4. In order to enable or disable “Set Time Zone Automatically” in Windows 10, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\tzautoupdate
  5. Double-click the 32-bit DWORD “Start” in the right pane. Set its value data to 3 if you want to make Windows 10 set time zone automatically. If you want to disable “Set Time Zone Automatically” in Windows 10, just set the value to 4.

    set-time-zone-automatically

  6. Reboot your computer for the registry changes to take effect.

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How to Change Mail Notification Sound in Windows 10

May 27th, 2017 by Admin

How to change the sound played when a new email arrives in Outlook or Windows 10 Mail app? If you don’t like the default mail notification sound, you change it to the sound you prefer in Windows 10.

How to Change Mail Notification Sound in Windows 10?

  1. Open the Control Panel and set the View by option to Large icons. Click on Sound.

    sound-control-panel

  2. When the Sound settings dialog opens, click the Sounds tab.
  3. Under the Program Events list, highlight New Mail Notification.
  4. Click the Sounds drop-down menu at the bottom and then select your desired sound, or select (None) to disable the new mail notification sound in Outlook and the Mail app in Windows 10.

    mail-notification-sound

    If you don’t like any of the built-in sounds, click Browse button to choose your custom sound file (.wav).

  5. Once done, click Apply and then OK to save the settings. Restart your mail application. Now, whenever you get a new mail message, it should alert you with you desired notification sound.

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Turn On / Off Notification Banner & Sound for Windows 10 Mail App

May 24th, 2017 by Admin

Not getting any alert (sound or notification banner) about receiving new email? You can configure Windows 10 Mail app to show a banner notification in the Notification & Action Center, and play a sound whenever a new email message arrives. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to turn on or off notification banner & sound for Windows 10 built-in Mail app.

How to Turn On / Off Notification Banner & Sound for Windows 10 Mail App

  1. First, make sure app notifications are enabled in Windows 10. To do this, press the Windows logo key + I shortcut to open the Settings app, and then click System.

    system

  2. Select the Notifications & actions tab in the left side. Scroll down to the Notification section and turn on “Get notifications from apps and other senders“.

    get-notifications-from-apps

  3. Now, open the built-in Mail app. Click the Settings icon at the bottom of the left-hand navigation panel, and then select Notifications from the pop-up menu.

    windows-10-mail-app-settings

  4. Check the box labeled “Show a notification banner” to enable new mail notification banner in the lower-right corner of the screen. If you wish to hear a sound when a new email is received, check “Play a sound” option.

    windows-mail-app-notification-settings

  5. If you don’t want to get any sound or banner notifications for every mail message you receive, just turn off the “Show notifications in the action center” option. You can apply the same notification settings for all your email accounts in the Mail app.

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Fix: OneNote Screen Clipping Shortcut Not Working in Windows 10

May 18th, 2017 by Admin

After upgrading your PC to Windows 10 Creators Update, you might find that OneNote’s popular screen clipping shortcut (Win + Shift + S) doesn’t work any longer. Press the Win + Shift + S hotkey will open the built-in Snipping tool while pressing Win + S will start Cortana Search, so you’re unable to use a keyboard shortcut to insert a screen clipping into your OneNote pages.

send-screen-clipping-to-onenote

To fix these hotkey conflicts, you have to change OneNote Screen Clipping shortcut key, or disable the global Win + S hotkey in Windows 10.

Method 1: Change OneNote Screen Clipping Shortcut Key

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

    regedit

  2. When the Registry Editor window appears, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote\Options\Other

    Note: The 16.0 designates Office 2016, Use 15.0 for Office 2013, 14.0 for Office 2010.

  3. Right-click on any empty space in the right pane, and then select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.

    new-dword-value

  4. Name the newly created DWORD value as ScreenClippingShortcutKey, and then double-click it to modify.

    ScreenClippingShortcutKey

  5. Change the value to 5A (Hexadecimal) and OneNote’s new screen clip shortcut key will be Win + Shift + Z. The ASCII value of the ‘Z’ key is 5A (hex).

    edit-dword-value

    If you want to set a different shortcut key, set the hex value accordingly. You can find the ASCII value for your desired key in this table:

    anscii-table

  6. Reboot your computer and check if your new OneNote screen clipping shortcut key will work.

Method 2: Disable the Global Windows + S Shortcut Key

Another workaround is to disable the global shortcut key Windows + S. Follow this how-to article or make the registry changes using command line:

  1. Press the Windows key + X to open the WinX menu, and then click “Command Prompt” or “Windows PowerShell“.
  2. Copy the following command and then paste it into the command line. Press Enter.
    reg.exe add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v DisabledHotkeys /t REG_SZ /d S /f
  3. Reboot your computer and OneNote screen clipping shortcut key should resume to work.

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How to Disable Specific Windows Key Shortcut in Windows

May 18th, 2017 by Admin

How to disable a certain global shortcut key that conflicts with an application-specific hotkey? Sometimes or even frequently though, you may activate a hotkey accidentally? In this tutorial we’ll show you a simple way to disable specific Windows key shortcut in Windows 10, 8 and 7.

How to Disable Specific Windows Key Shortcut in Windows?

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

    regedit

  2. When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
  3. Right-click on the Advanced key in the left pane, and then select New -> String Value from the context menu.

    new-string-value

  4. Name it DisabledHotkeys, and set its value data to the characters of hotkeys you want to disable.

    DisabledHotkeys

    For example, set it to S. This will disable Win + S, Win + Shift + S, and other shortcuts that using Windows key and the disabled characters you specified.
    Set it to SA to disable both Win + S and Win + A hotkeys.
    And so on.

  5. Reboot your computer and the hotkeys you specified will become disabled. If you want to restore the original hotkeys to work, just delete the DisabledHotkeys value and you’re done.

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2 Ways to Disable Snipping Tool in Windows 10

May 18th, 2017 by Admin

How do you disable the snipping tool and don’t allow it to run? This tutorial will show you how to disable Snipping Tool in Windows 10 using Group Policy or Registry Editor.

Method 1: Disable Snipping Tool in Windows 10 Using Group Policy

  1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to:
    Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Tablet PC -> Accessories
  2. In the right pane, double-click on the policy named Do not allow Snipping Tool to run.

    dont-allow-snipping-tool-to-run

  3. Select Enabled, click OK.

    disable-snipping-tool

    Restart your computer for this policy setting to take effect.

  4. When you try to run the snipping tool or press the Windows logo key+Shift+S hotkey, you’ll receive the following error message:

    “Windows cannot open this program because it has been prevented by a software restriction policy. For more information, open Event Viewer or contact your system administrator.”

    prevented-by-software-restriction-policy

Method 2: Disable Snipping Tool in Windows 10 Using Registry Editor

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

    regedit

  2. In the Registry Editor window that opens, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\TabletPC

    If the TabletPC key doesn’t exist, you need to create it.

  3. Set the value DisableSnippingTool to 1. If DisableSnippingTool doesn’t exist, right-click on a blank area in the right pane, and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it as DisableSnippingTool.

    DisableSnippingTool

  4. Reboot your computer and check the result.

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How to Prevent Windows 10 Apps from Running in the Background

May 15th, 2017 by Admin

How to stop Windows 10 from automatically starting apps in the background? Windows 10 comes with many built-in apps that run in the background by default. Those apps can automatically update live tiles , send notification and stay up-to-date, even if you never use them. This will drain some battery power and consume system resources. In this tutorial we’ll show you 2 ways to prevent Windows 10 apps from running in the background.

Method 1: Disable Background Apps in Windows 10 from Settings

  1. Open the Setting app by pressing the Windows logo key + I shortcut.
  2. Click the Privacy icon in the Settings window.

    privacy-settings

  3. Select Background apps on the left side. On the right pane, you can simply flip the switch to off next to the apps you no longer want running in the background, or prevent all apps from running in the background by switching off “Let apps run in the background“.

    let-apps-run-in-the-background

  4. The changes take effect immediately. Using this method you can also prevent third-party apps from running in the background.

If you change your mind then you can turn on certain background apps any time you want. For example, if you start to use the Mail app to send/receive mails, you need to allow the Mail app to run in the background. Otherwise you won’t get notification of new mails.

Method 2: Disable Background Apps in Windows 10 Using Registry Editor

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

    regedit

  2. When the Registry Editor appears, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications
  3. Right-click on the BackgroundAccessApplications key in the left pane, and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it GlobalUserDisabled and set its value to 1. (1: Turn off all background apps, 0: Turn on background apps)

    turn-off-background-apps

  4. Close Registry Editor. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

If you want to use Registry Editor to turn off a certain background app only, just set GlobalUserDisabled to 0 and then expand the BackgroundAccessApplications key in the left side of Registry Editor. Locate the subkey for the app that you disallow to run in the background, create two new DWORD values named “Disabled” and “DisalbedByUser” and set the values to 1.

diable-background-app-in-windows-10

That’s it. Now you have disabled background apps in Windows 10.

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