Archive for the ‘Windows 8’ category

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Difference Between Sleep and Hibernate in Windows 10 / 8 / 7

June 24th, 2016 by Admin

It’s a good idea to put Windows in the energy-saving mode (Sleep or Hibernate) when you’re away from your computer. However, most of users don’t know the exact differences between Sleep mode and Hibernate mode. In this article we’ll try to explain the differences in detail.

hibernate-vs-sleep

Sleep:

Sleep mode (also known as Standby mode) is useful when you’re going to be away for a short period of time. It’s similar like pausing a DVD movie, all your running programs are suspended. The computer immediately stops most system operations and your open documents and applications are put in the RAM. Power is cut from all components apart from RAM: the display, the hard drive, and ports.

However, the power must NOT be cut off while your PC is in Sleep mode, and must be continue to supply to the computer. A power outage would cause all data that aren’t saved to hard disk to be lost.

When you wake the computer up, all processes and programs resume working within seconds. This is because your computer is still on and all your data is still kept in the computer’s memory.

Hibernate:

Hibernate mode will take everything you have running on RAM (including open documents and apps) and saves it to a special file (C:\hiberfil.sys) on your hard drive, and then turn off your computer completely. That means it consumes almost no power, but it takes a bit more time to wake up than Sleep mode.

When you wake your computer from hibernation, the system will load everything saved in the hiberfil.sys file and all programs you had open will reopen in the same state you left them.

Hibernation is ideal for users who would be away from the computer for an extended period, especially when you have to cut off the power to travel but want to continue working from where you left off, without having to open your programs and documents again.

The downside of Hibernate is that it will take up a huge amount of disk space because it saves the full memory of the RAM into hard drive, you can see a gigantic hiberfil.sys file sitting in the root of your system drive.

hiberfil_sys

Conclusion

Now you should have found out the main differences between Sleep mode and Hibernate mode. It’s up to you to decide which option is best for you to save power for your computer.

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Posted in Others, Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

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2 Ways to Stop Your System from Force Upgrading to Windows 10

June 17th, 2016 by Admin

In May of 2016, Microsoft began forcing a Windows 10 upgrade to all Windows 8/7 users who haven’t requested it – and who might not want it. If you have software or hardware that isn’t compatible with Windows 10, you might no want this forced upgrade. In this tutorial we’ll show you 2 simple ways to stop your computer from force upgrading to Windows 10.

Method 1: Block Windows 10 Upgrade Using Group Policy

  1. Open up Group Policy Editor by using the Windows + R key combination, entering gpedit.msc and hitting Enter.

    run-gpedit

  2. From the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
    Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update
  3. Double-click the “Turn off the upgrade to the latest version of Windows through Windows Update” policy on the right pane, Select Enabled and then click OK.

    turn-off-windows-upgrade

  4. Now you’ve disabled Windows 10 upgrade. Reboot your computer and you will not be pushed to download & install Windows 10 upgrade.

Method 2: Block Windows 10 Upgrade Using Registry Trick

If you’re unable to access the Group Policy Editor or the group policy for blocking Windows upgrade is missing, you can then use the following registry trick:

  1. Open up the Registry Editor by using the Windows + R key combination, entering regedit and hitting Enter.

    run-regedit

  2. In the left pane of Registry Editor, navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

    If you do not see the WindowsUpdate key, right-click the Windows key above it, point to New, and create a key named WindowsUpdate.

  3. Right-click in the right pane and create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableOSUpgrade. Double-click the DisableOSUpgrade and enter a value of 1.

    DisableOSUpgrade

  4. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. So this is how you stop a forced Windows 10 upgrade.

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Posted in Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

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2 Ways to Block Users from Deleting Browsing History in Internet Explorer

June 16th, 2016 by Admin

How to prevent others from deleting browsing history in your browser? There are situations where you need to share your computer with your friends or family members but you want to restrict them from deleting your saved logins and cookies. In this tutorial we’ll show you 2 simple ways to block users from deleting browsing history in Internet Explorer.

Method 1: Prevent Access to Delete Browsing History Using Group Policy

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
  2. This should open the Local Group Policy Editor. Navigate to the following location:
    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Delete Browsing History
  3. In the right pane, double-click on “Prevent access to Delete Browsing History” to open its settings box. Select Enabled and click Apply / OK.

    prevent-delete-browsing-history

  4. Reboot your computer. When you open the Internet Options of Internet Explorer, you’ll find the button for deleting browsing history is greyed out.

    unable-delete-ie-history

Method 2: Prevent Users from Deleting Browsing History Using Registry Editor

If Local Group Policy Editor is not accessible in your computer, you can also use the following registry trick to block users from deleting browsing history in Internet Explorer.

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type regedit and press Enter.
  2. When you see the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel

    If both the Internet Explorer key and the Control Panel key don’t exist, you need to create them firstly.

  3. Now in right side pane, right-click the empty space to create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableDeleteBrowsingHistory and set its value to 1.

    disable-delete-browsing-history

  4. Close Registry Editor and re-open Internet Explorer. Now users will not be able to access the option for deleting browsing history in Internet Explorer. That’s it!

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Posted in Others, Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

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How to Delete File Explorer Address Bar History in Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7

June 15th, 2016 by Admin

While typing a path in the address bar of File Explorer, Windows will display a history of all previous locations you’ve typed. You can also view the address bar history by clicking the down arrow icon placed on the right end of the address bar.

address-bar-history

In this tutorial we’ll show you 2 ways to delete File Explorer address bar history in Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7.

Method 1: Delete Address Bar History by Right-clicking Address Bar

After opening File Explorer (or Windows Explorer), right-click on the address bar and select the “Delete history” option.

delete-address-bar-history

This will clear all address bar history from File Explorer. Now, if you click the down arrow button in the address bar, you’ll see all history has been cleared.

address-bar-history-cleared

Method 2: Delete Address Bar History from Folder Options

From File Explorer (or Windows Explorer), select the View tab and then click on Options.

file-explorer-options

Once the Folder Options window has been opened, click the Clear button to delete all the File Explorer history. This action clears the File Explorer address bar history and the recent files and folders in quick access.

folder-options

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Posted in Others, Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 8

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How to Clear Search History in Windows 10 / 8 File Explorer

June 15th, 2016 by Admin

Just like earlier versions of Windows, Windows 10/8 File Explorer includes real-time search feature to let you search files and folders quickly. While typing your keyboard in the upper-right hand corner of File Explorer, it will display a history of your past searches in the list.

file-explorer-search-history

This tutorial will show you how to clear the search history typed in the search box of File Explorer in Windows 10 / 8.

Method 1: Clear Search History Directly from File Explorer

  1. Open File Explorer. Click in the search box in the upper-right hand corner of File Explorer.

    click-search-box

  2. The Search tab will appear then. In the Search tab, click on Recent searches, and then select Clear search history from the drop-down menu.

    clear-search-history

  3. Now you will not see the search history while typing in the search box of File Explorer. But the new keywords you typed later will also be saved and you might need to delete them again and again.

Method 2: Disable Search History Using Group Policy

If you want to disable the search history altogether, then you can do so by using the Local Group Policy Editor. Follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
  2. When Local Group Policy Editor opens, navigate to:
    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
  3. From the right panel, double-click on “Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box“, then change the setting to Enabled and click OK.

    not-display-search-history

  4. Now whenever you do a search in File Explorer it will not keep your search history.

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Posted in Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 8

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3 Ways to Disable Registry Editor in Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7

June 12th, 2016 by Admin

Making improper changes to the Registry can cause Windows to become unusable or unbootable. To prevent, restrict or block anyone from accessing Registry Editor in Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7, you can disable Registry Editor using group policy, registry trick or third-party software.

Method 1: Disable Registry Editor Using Group Policy

  1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

    gpedit

  2. When Group Policy Editor opens, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System. Double-click on Prevent access to registry editing tools on the right panel.

    prevent-access-to-regedit

  3. Select the radio button next to Enabled, click Apply and then OK, then close out of Group Policy Editor and reboot your computer.

    prevent-access-registry-edit

  4. When a user tries to access Registry Editor, they will get an error message saying “Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator“.

    registry-editing-disabled

This method will prevent all users from accessing Registry Editor, including yourself. To regain access to Registry Editor, you have to open Group Policy Editor again, and change the policy to Disabled or Not Configured.

Method 2: Disable Registry Editor Using Registry Trick

  1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run box. Type regedit and press Enter.
  2. When Registry Editor opens, navigate to:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Policies > System

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

  3. In the right pane, right-click on any empty space and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it DisableRegistryTools and set its value to 1.

    disable-registry-tools

  4. When you try to access Registry Editor, you’ll also get the same error message “Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator“.

This method will prevent your current user from accessing Registry Editor. To regain access, you have to log on as another administrator account and delete the registry value DisableRegistryTools.

Method 3: Disable Registry Editor Using Third Party Software

Using Protect My Folders you can lock & protect Registry Editor with a password. Anyone can’t access Registry Editor without knowing your password.

  1. Download and install Protect My Folders program on your computer. The first time you launch this program it will prompt your to set a password. Don’t forgot it as you’ll need it next time you run it.
  2. When Protect My Folders starts, click on Add/Lock button.

    protect-my-folders

  3. The File/Folder selection dialog should open, choose the C:\Windows\regedit.exe file and click Add, next click OK.

    select-regedit

  4. Now you’ll see the regedit application is locked. Close Protect My Folders program.

    lock-registry-editor

  5. When you try to access Registry Editor, you’ll receive the following error message:

    cannot-find-regedit

This method will block all users from accessing Registry Editor. To regain access you have to relaunch Protect My Folders, enter your password and unlock the regedit.exe app.

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Posted in Others, Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

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Prevent Users from Changing Lock Screen Image in Windows 10 / 8

June 5th, 2016 by Admin

The lock screen appears when you boot your PC or press Windows + L key combination. It gives you only the basic information such as date, time and weather. You have to click it or swipe away before you can login into Windows 10/8. In this article we’ll show you 2 methods to prevent users from changing lock screen image in Windows 10 / 8.

unable-change-lock-screen

Method 1: Disable Changing Lock Screen Using Group Policy

This first method is the easiest, but it may not work for some users, as the Group Policy Editor program is not included in the Home edition of Windows.

  1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. From here, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
  2. You should see the Group Policy Editor window pop up. Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Control Panel -> Personalization
  3. Double-click the “Prevent changing lock screen image” entry on the right side of the window. Change the setting from Not Configured to Enabled.

    prevent-changing-lock-screen

  4. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. When you want to change the lock screen image, you will notice that the options are grayed out.

Method 2: Disable Changing Lock Screen Using Registry Editor

  1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. From here, type regedit and press Enter.
  2. In the left pane of Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization

    If the Personalization key is not present, create a new key under Windows and rename it to Personalization.

  3. On the right side of the window, right-click on an empty space, and choose New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it NoChangingLockScreen.
  4. Double-click on the newly created DWORD value, and change its value from 0 to 1. Click OK.

    no-changing-lock-screen

  5. Now you should be unable to change / modify the lock screen background image.

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Posted in Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 8

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Fix “Windows Taskbar and Start Button Disappeared”

May 28th, 2016 by Admin

“I don’t know what happened but the taskbar (usually on the bottom of the screen) is missing. Without the taskbar, I couldn’t get to the Start Menu and ultimately launch any program. How do I get it back? Please help!”

There are 3 reasons why your taskbar or Start button disappeared on the computer screen:

  • The taskbar is set to auto-hide.
  • The explorer.exe process has crashed and the taskbar is completely gone.
  • The display resolution or main display changed and caused the taskbar to go off the screen.

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to troubleshoot this problem and get your Windows taskbar and Start button back to your screen.

Method 1: Unhide Taskbar

Some users reported the Auto-hide feature is buggy. Disable the Auto-hide option and your Windows taskbar might be back again. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard. This will take you to the lock screen. From there, you can click Task Manager.

  2. When the Task Manager opens, click More details button at the bottom of the window.

    task-manager

  3. Click the File menu and select Run new task.

    run-new-task

  4. Type control panel and click OK.

    launch-control-panel

  5. In Control Panel, set the View by option to Large icons, and then click on “Taskbar and Navigation“.

    control-panel

  6. Click the Taskbar tab, clear the Auto-hide the taskbar check box, and then click OK.

    auto-hide-taskbar

Method 2: Restart Explorer

There is a chance that your Windows Explorer is crashed or an infected program might have terminated it. If that is the case, then your desktop icons and taskbar must also be missing. If that is the case, restart the Explorer process should fix your problem.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard and Task Manager will open up.
  2. The Task Manager in Windows 10/8 shows fewer details by default. Simply click More details at the bottom to access the full Task Manager.

    task-manager

  3. Click the Details tab and select the explorer.exe process, click End task.

    kill-explorer

  4. Click the File menu and select Run new task.

    run-new-task

  5. Type in explorer and press OK. This will restart the explorer process and hopefully get your taskbar back.

    launch-explorer

Method 3: Change Display

If the presentation display was changed, the taskbar may have moved off of the visible screen. To bring the taskbar back, you have to exit the presentation mode:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + P on your keyboard to launch External Display selection screen.
  2. You’ll get a pop-up dialog with a couple of choices like PC screen only ( or Computer Only), Duplicate, Extend, etc. Make sure it is set to PC screen only.

    display-switcher

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Posted in Others, Tips & Tricks, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista

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How to Change Taskbar & Desktop Icon Size in Windows 10 / 8 / 7

May 23rd, 2016 by Admin

Desktop icons are too big or too small? How can I resize the desktop icon size? In this tutorial we’ll show you how you can simply change the taskbar & desktop icon size in Windows 10, 8 and 7.

resize-desktop-icons

Part 1: Change Desktop Icon Size

To change the size of desktop icons, right-click on an empty space on the desktop, and then click on View, and then select the size of the icons, either Large, Medium or Small icons. The default is Medium icons.

view-medium-icon

But what if you want to make the desktop icons smaller than the default small icon, or larger than the default large icon? Using the mouse wheel button you can set the icon size to any size you want:

To get started, make sure the desktop has the focus, this can be done by just clicking any empty space of the desktop. Press and hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and then using your mouse wheel, roll it upward to make the icons size larger, or downward to set the icon size smaller.

ctrl-mouse-wheel

Part 2: Change Taskbar Icon Size

The taskbar icons are really small? How can I make them appear larger? To do this, right-click on an empty space in the taskbar and then select Properties.

right-click-taskbar

On the Taskbar tab, uncheck the “Use small taskbar buttons” box in Windows 10/8. If you’re running Windows 7, uncheck the “Use small icons” box. Click OK.

small-taskbar-buttons

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