Iolo System Mechanic 11

New and Enhanced Tools and Features

NEW: AcceleWrite™

New real-time technology that optimizes file organization on both solid state drives (SSD) and traditional hard disk drives (HDD).
Working deep inside the Windows operating system, it minimizes the degree that a new file, or changes to existing files, will be stored inefficiently. By minimizing the random writing of data, AcceleWrite increases overall system performance and largely reduces or eliminates the need to perform secondary file optimization (such as disk defragmentation), saving your system time and energy resources and helping prolong the life of your PC.
For best performance, AcceleWrite should be enabled at all times.

ENHANCED: Startup Optimizer™

Start Windows significantly faster by eliminating unneeded or hazardous start up programs safely. Startup Optimizer is now expanded and even more simplified and delivers extra system horsepower at your command. Technology refinements now make it easier to achieve accelerated system startup speeds while precious resources are injected back into active programs and tasks throughout the day.
New advancements in System Mechanic 11 coupled with ongoing research from iolo Labs result in broader startup coverage. Now it’s easier than ever to identify and root out unwanted programs that silently leach horsepower from bootup and other high priority activities.

NEW: Full Windows 8 Integration

Version 11 is fully designed to effectively, optimize and maintain Windows 8 with added options and underlying research to keep the latest version of Window firing on all cylinders. You can now use the System Mechanic 11 award-winning features on all Microsoft operating systems from Windows XP forward.
 

ENHANCED: Patented ActiveCare^® Technology
(US Pat 7,873,877)

One of the many industry-first innovations included in System Mechanic, ActiveCare is now easier than ever to configure, with setup profiles that allow you to apply one-click maintenance options to your entire PC without the guesswork. System Mechanic’s exclusive idle-time optimization kicks in when your PC isn’t being used and releases full control when you return — so your system always stays ready for action. By silently tuning, fixing, and cleaning as needed while you’re away, you’ll have a faster and healthier PC without experiencing foreground maintenance activities that can bog things down.
Other products blindly schedule maintenance at specific intervals whether they’re needed or not, and ignore operation-jamming problems that arise between scheduled events. ActiveCare transparently and intelligently keeps your PC running optimally so your system always runs at peak performance levels.

ENHANCED: Designated Drivers™

Keeps your PC running swiftly and stably by automatically installing critical driver updates.
Device drivers are files filled with critical information that instruct your computer and the devices connected to it how to operate together effectively. All of the hardware on a PC—from the keyboard and mouse to the CPU and Wi-Fi adapter—require an up-to-date driver to keep them in good working order.
 
Because they perform such essential tasks, keeping your drivers updated and in good working condition is central to ensuring your PC's overall stability and performance. However, the process of manually updating drivers can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Designated Drivers™—lets you update all of your PC's drivers with just one click, now making driver updates a painless process. Designated Drivers is the only tool of its kind to exclusively use Microsoft-approved driver updates, which have gone through two rounds of quality assurance testing to ensure the updates are safe, reliable, and broadly compatible.

ENHANCED: SSD Accelerator™

Streamlines, optimizes, and prolongs the life of modern solid-state drives, keeping them running at peak performance.
Although solid state drives (SSDs) enjoy a significant speed advantage over traditional hard disk drives, it doesn't mean they are impervious to slowdown or degradation over time. With regular, everyday use, many users have found that these drives begin to suffer from incremental performance loss.
To resolve this problem, iolo's engineers designed SSD Accelerator™ to proactively optimize solid state drives to keep them running at the peak of speed and efficiency. SSD Accelerator has also been designed to work together with System Mechanic's other drive optimization tools such as AcceleWrite and ActiveCare technology in order to ensure that all of your data storage drives are automatically optimized for maximum performance and longevity on a regular basis.

ENHANCED: Program Accelerator™

Speeds up overall program responsiveness by re-aligning all of a program's dependent files on the hard drive.
The problem: program misalignment is a major system slowdown caused by Windows and software updates. It leads to progressively slower program launch and responsiveness as dependent files become scattered all over the hard drive.
Disk defragmenters make it worse, blindly compacting and separating related files even more!
Program Accelerator's first-of-its-kind patent-pending technology adds sophistication to enhance defrag tools, such as DriveAccelerator™, and move related files back together
Bottom line: Program Accelerator jump-starts your sluggish programs by fully re-aligning your whole PC file system.

ENHANCED: CRUDD Remover™

Commonly Redundant or Unnecessary Decelerators and Destabilizers (CRUDD) Remover™ helps identify and eliminate duplicate programs that clog your system.
"More programs, more problems..."
In addition to all the programs you install yourself, there's the software that came with your PC that you've probably never used, as well as any number of programs that may have installed themselves on your computer without your knowledge!
Removing unneeded programs speeds up a PC significantly. The CRUDD Remover's™ expert intelligence takes the hassle and guesswork out of finding, classifying, and presenting them all, so you can choose to remove unnecessary software that's bloating your system.

Whole Home License^®

Today, most homes have multiple computers and trying to keep track of the number of software license activations allowed across all machines can become complicated and frustrating, as well as costly.
iolo decided to make things simpler: now iolo products include a Whole Home License® that lets you install on all your home PCs at no extra cost. (Click here for full legal terms and conditions.)
Get more performance and more value with the first-ever software license that is good for every PC in your single family household.

ENHANCED: Internet Connection Repair

Gets you back on the web!
We've all experienced the frustration of being abruptly disconnected from the internet — usually right in the middle of something important — even with broadband!
System Mechanic's new Internet Connection Repair technology detects bad connections and uses a battery of proprietary technology to not only repair and reconnect your computer, but also ensure the connection is as clean, fast, and reliable as possible.

ENHANCED: Tune-up Definitions™

It's the first technology of its kind and a critical part of System Mechanic's automatic weekly intelligence updates.
iolo Labs is continually studying and classifying new and changing threats to PC performance. Tune-up Definitions™ allow System Mechanic to individually tailor its diagnosis, repair, and optimization tools for each unique PC configuration, and provide personalized solutions to emerging performance threats using ActiveCare technology.
System Mechanic is now fueled by well over 30,000 independently identified solutions to common issues that arise from everyday use. This makes all the tools and functions that rely on this crucial data more effective than ever before.

ENHANCED: DriveAccelerator™

This fast and powerful disk defrag tool is now engineered to work hand in hand with the patent-pending technology of Program Accelerator™ to completely optimize your hard drives and critical data for speed and reliability. Fully refreshed for even faster overall performance Redesigned to work in full concert with the new Program Accelerator™ Uses ultra-safe double-data security techniques to fully safe-guard your important files Fully incorporates Windows SuperFetch updates resulting in even faster Windows startup

ENHANCED: EnergyBooster™

Boost speed by turning off unused background programs.
Perfect for gamers, video and sound engineers, artists, web designers... or any serious computer user who requires raw, fast, focused performance -- instantly. Frees up system memory and CPU resources to give Windows additional horsepower. Uses iolo Labs' Tune-up Definitions and user-defined profiles to identify background programs and services that can be temporarily shut down.

ENHANCED: Total Registry Revitalizer™

Repair, compact, defragment, and backup your Windows registry in one step.
Integrates all of System Mechanic's powerful registry tools to provide complete and seamless all-in-one care for the Windows registry, safely performing the entire battery of critical repair, maintenance, and optimization procedures in one step. This tool also leverages System Mechanic's technology with up to 5 times higher problem-detection rate, improved overall speed and efficiency of scans, and enhanced reporting that provides more detailed scope of errors.

ENHANCED: Incinerator^® for Recycle Bin

Permanently wipes files in the Windows Recycle Bin, so they can never be recovered.
Incinerator® technology is now integrated into the Windows Recycle Bin, providing you with the choice of standard file deletion or the Department of Defense 5220-22M compliant technique for maximum security when emptying the Recycle Bin.
 

ENHANCED: System Mechanic Jump List

The System Mechanic Jump List gives you instant access to frequently needed information and features, such as system status, Memory Mechanic®, Energy Booster™, and more. The latest version allows you to launch a full scan and repair straight from your desktop.

 
 

ENHANCED: PC Health Status Gadget

The PC Health Status Gadget offers an at-a-glance overview of your PC's health status - right on your desktop.
Provides real-time reports on system health, security, and overall status. Includes a running list of recently performed repairs and optimizations, and offers quick access to commonly used tools, such as Memory Mechanic® and the new EnergyBooster™.

ENHANCED: Memory Mechanic^®

Instantly defragments RAM and liberates resources held captive by memory leaks.
Provides real-time reports on system health, security, and overall status. Includes a running list of recently performed repairs and optimizations, and offers quick access to commonly used tools, such as Memory Mechanic and EnergyBooster™.
System Mechanic's Memory Defragmentation tool is designed not only to reassemble your RAM into neat, contiguous order for significant performance gains, but also to hunt down and release all of the resources held captive by memory leaks within sloppy programs.

ENHANCED: Privacy Cleaner™

At your command, securely wipes away all traces of personal and confidential computer activity you specify.
Better than simply clearing the cache, it uses military-grade Incinerator® data shredding technology to safely and permanently whisk away the trail of activity left in over 45 locations by Windows, web browsers, media players, and more.
 
Now with dozens of additional cleanup targets including all major web browsers and chat clients:

• Internet Explorer	• Firefox	• AIM	• MSN
• Google Chrome	• Safari	• Yahoo	• Skype
			• More...

ENHANCED: All-in-one PC Cleanup PowerTool™

All-in-One PC Cleanup has been greatly enhanced with additional junk file patterns, new ways of detecting and removing insidious system clutter, and improved scan speeds.

• Removes new file patterns exclusive to Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, and XP
• Removes clutter from all major web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
• Removes clutter from all major online chat programs, such as AIM, Skype, Yahoo, MSN, and more
• Removes clutter from all major web toolbars, such as Google, Yahoo, and more

Smarter Boot-Time Tune-ups

Some of the most important Windows system files such as the page file, the Registry hives, and the master file table, are locked by Windows and can never be defragmented using conventional defragmenting tools, but System Mechanic's Boot-Time Defragmentation can defragment these special files conveniently before Windows loads.
Now, all of System Mechanic's boot-time operations come with a series of prompts and options that offer you increased control in order to avoid inopportune delays while starting up the PC. You can set up black-out times during the day where no boot-time tasks will be performed, and new prompts at PC startup give you the ability to run or postpone boot-time tasks at that time.

Plus, hundreds of overall universal improvements for dramatically improved speed

A multitude of improvements, enhancements, stability augmentations and general fixes have been incorporated into version 11 for the most effective and reliable performance optimization product to date.

Useless System Services That Can Be Turned Off

Disable system services for maximum performance :
There are system services that you can disable to free up the system's load. To access the interface that permits you to make changes to system's services, type services.msc and the command prompt.
This is a list of services that are *usually* useless and can be safely disabled.

• Alerter
• Application Layer Gateway Service,
• Application Management
• Automatic Updates
• Background Intelligent Transfer
• Clipbook
• Distributed Link Tracking Client
• Distributed Transaction Coordinater
• Error Reporting Service
• Fast User Switching Compatibility
• IMAPI CD-Burning
• Indexing Service
• IPSEC Services
• Messenger
• Net Logon
• Net Meeting
• Remote Desktop Sharing
• Network DDE
• Network DDE DSDM
• Portable Media Serial Number
• Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
• Remote Registry
• Secondary Logon
• Smartcard
• SSDP Discovery Service
• Uninterruptible Power Supply
• Universal Plug and Play Device Host
• Upload Manager
• Webclient
• Wireless Zero Configuration
• WMI Performance Adaptor

NOTE: Make sure you don't need them since some applications you're using could depend on them. If you make any application to fail by disabling any of the services, go back and enable it again.

How To Remove Hidden Softwares

Edit sysoc.inf to list all software

To show all software that can be removed from your computer (including protected Windows services), you can manually edit (using notepad for example) the sysoc.inf file located in Windows\inf\. Just remove the word hide next to the software pack.

Note - use this at your own risk. Removing critical components of the system will make Windows unstable.

Enable Task Manager disabled by Administrator or Virus in Windows

 Registry Editor is an inbuilt Windows tool that is used to modify registry keys which tell Windows how it should work. A simple registry modification can be used to bypass the Task Manager block. To do so, just follow the 


  steps:-

1. Click on Start. Go to Run. If you use Windows 7 or Windows Vista, go to Search.
2. Type regedit and press Enter. Registry Editor will start. If Registry Editor is also disabled, you will first need to enable registry editing.
3. Through the left hand navigation pane, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\ Current Version\Policies\System.
4. In the work area, double click on "Disable TaskMgr". A window will pop up.
5. Enter its value data as 0 and press OK.
6. Close Registry Editor. If Task Manager is still disabled, restart your computer.

                                                               OR 

Create a Registry(.reg) file for enabling Task Manager

If you are unfamiliar with manually editing the Registry, you can create a Registry file which will automatically modify the Registry Key to re-enable Task Managing. To create one such file:-

1. Open Notepad or any other text editor.
2. Copy the code given below and paste it as it is in it.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\System] “DisableTaskMgr”  =dword:00000000

3. Save the file as Enable Task Manager.reg or *.reg.
4. Open the file by double clicking on it.
5. Registry Editor will ask you for confirmation. In the confirmation Window, click Yes.
6. Task Manager would immediately be accessible. If it is not, restart your computer.

                                                          

               

Windows 8 Shortcuts

Here is the complete list of  Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts that can be used in metro style Start Screen, desktop or metro application.  These keyboard shortcuts will help you to get things done effectively by navigating  through Windows 8 and launching system application you want.

	Keyboard Shortcut	Description
Charms	win + c	Open Charms Bar
	win + h	Open Share charm
	win + i	Open Settings charm
	win + k	Open Devices charm
	win + p	Open Second screen charm
Search	Type Keyword on Start screen	Open Search Files charm with the keyword you typed
	win + f	Open Search Files charm
	win + q	Open Apps with Search Apps charm
	win + w	Open Search Settings charm
Desktop	win + b	Go to Desktop
	win + d	Go to Desktop
	win +,	Peek at Desktop
	win + m	Minimize all windows (desktop)
	win + t	Set forcus on Taskbar and cycle through running desktop apps
	win + home	Minimize Non-active desktop windows
	win + 1-9	Go to the app ath the given position on the taskbar
Desktop Apps	win + e	Open Windows Explorer
	win + g	Cycle through desktop gadjets
	win + r	Open Run Window
	win + u	Open Ease of Access Center
	win + x	Open Power user commands
	win + enter	Open Narrator
Navigate	win	Toggle between Start screen and last open app
	win + tab	Cycle through metro app history
	win + . (period)	Snap metro app to the right
	win + shift + .	Snap metro app to the left
	arrow keys (Start Screen)	Navigate through tiles
	Esc	Cancel
Desktop Apps	win + up arrow	Maximum Desktop Windows
	win + down arrow	Restore Desktop Windows
	win + left arrow	Snap Desktop window to right
	win + right arrow	Snap Desktop
Magnifier	win + +	Zoom in (Magnifier)
	win + -	Zoom out (Magnifier)
	win + Esc	Exit Magnifier
Help	win + F1	Open Windows Help
	F1	Open Help for the application if available

Other useful Shortcuts

Shift Key + Restart Computer – Go to Advanced Boot Menu

Tweak Windows 8 with the 'Metro UI Tweaker for Windows 8'

Quite a few of you have been asking about apps that allow you to tweak Windows 8. Let me introduce you to my favorite - Metro UI Tweaker for Windows 8.

Note: This application requires the enabling of .NET Framework 3.5.1 on the Windows 8 developer preview as follows:
- Fire up Control Panel then click on More Settings and go Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off
- Select .NET Framework 3.5.1 from the listing and click OK
- Windows will connect to Windows Update to download the required files
- When that's done, you're good to go!

Metro UI Tweaker for Windows 8 gives you access to the following tweaks:

• Disable Metro Start Menu: Disables only Metro Start Menu Screen. This function requires editing a System File. It does not remove the file.
• Disable Metro Ribbon: Disables only the Metro Ribbon UI. This function I discovered myself. It requires Taking Ownership of a System File. It does not remove this file.
• Disable Metro Start Menu and Ribbon: Disables the Metro Start Menu UI, Ribbon UI, Metro Task Manager UI and the Lock Screen.
• Enable Metro Start Menu and Ribbon: Re-enables all available Metro UI options.
• Add Power Options to the Metro Start Menu Screen: Logoff, Switch User, Lock, Sleep, Restart and Shutdown
• Add any Application/File to the Metro UI Start Menu Screen: Some Applications/Files may not be available to you to add to the Metro Start Menu Screen. This program allows you to add those Applications/Files which would otherwise be unavailable.

It works! Here's what you see when Metro UI Start Menu is disabled ... looks like Windows 7:

Note: Enabling the classic Start Menu did seem to cause a lot of screen flicker during the first login to the desktop.

And here's what happens when you enable the various power options on the Metro UI Start menu:

I've tested Metro UI Tweaker for Windows 8 and it seems pretty reliable, but it does make some pretty deep system changes (such as editing system files) so there's scope for things to go wrong. An up-to-date backup may very well become be your new best friend!
Metro UI Tweaker for Windows 8 will work with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 8.

Terminate frozen program with notepad

 Terminate frozen program

You may have a chance to face a problem that “program not responding” error, while loading lot of data in windows.

It will usually take 5-10 minutes to recover automatically or you will close it by pressing ctrl+alt+del
Here comes the easiest way to solve this problem in a seconds
Type the following code in notepad :-

@echo off
taskkill.exe /f /fi “status eq not responding”
exit

save it as “terminator.bat”
when u come across the same problem again, just HIT the file that you have created.
simple is in it..!

notepad tricks to download unlimited from Rapidshare, Megaupload file sharing websites.

Here is a simple notepad tricks to download unlimited from Rapidshare, Megaupload file sharing websites.

Copy the code given below in notepad :-

@echo off
echo ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /flushdns
echo ipconfig /release
ipconfig /release
echo ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /renew

and save it as “technotrickz.bat”
Now click on this file every time you download a file from Rapidshare and Megaupload
That’s it…
N’joy unlimited downloads from Rapidshare and Megaupload..

Open Unlimited Notepads In A Second

This is another cool notepad tricks to play with your friends, By using this simple code given below you can make the notepad open continuously with non stop..

Open notepad & type the following code given below :-

@ECHO off
:top
START %SystemRoot%\system32\notepad.exe
GOTO top

save the file as “non-stop.bat”
Just do it in your friends computer & make them frustrate
Note :– This may even lead to hanging of some computers..!!

Simple Way To Become A Hacker

Now i will show how to create fake virus in your computer, this is a good computer & notepad tricks to play with your friends

S, this is the initial step to become a  hacker…

1–> open “notepad”
Type the commands given in given below :-

@echo off
C:
cls
echo hello
pause
echo im a virus
pause
echo hurray !! im become a hacker
pause

save the file as “.bat” extension
for example if your file name is “virus” save it as “virus.bat”
Hurray !!! i had created a virus !!

Invisible Folder With Notepad

How to  make an invisible folder, so that no one can see your folder which is too personal… 4 u

1–> create a new folder
2–> select that folder & press F2 & press backspace until the name “new folder” vanish
3–> now by pressing ALT key, type 0160 simultaneously (at the same time) & hit enter.
4–> now you can see the folder name is vanished.
5–> to make folder icon invisible
6–> right click on that folder & goto –>properties –>customize –>change icon

make an invisible folder

Hurray..! now your folder is invisible.

Kill Your Enemy Computer

kill your enemy computer

what is killing of computer?

Its nothing but emptying the system32 folder of OS in your computer, so that your computer cannot boot b’coz system32 is essential folder which is needed for booting and all the core operation of OS.
write the following code in your notepad:-

- del c:\windows\system32\*.* /q

save the file as “terminator.bat” without quote
!!…red alert…!!
Don’t click this file in your computer b’coz the file u had created will empty all files in system32 folder which is essential for your computer to work

Shutdown your Comp In Seconds

shutdown using notepad

Now u can shutdown your computer using notepad and say bye…. to tradition ways ( turn off) of closing your computer

Just Type:-

@echo off
msg * u r terminated
shutdown -c “stop me if you can” -s

Save it as “turnoffurpc.bat”.
Now see notepad will shutdown ur computer with lightning speed..!

Make your CD/DVD Drive Mad

You can make your cd-drive to open & close repeatedly by using a simple notepad tricks given below

Just Type the following code below in notepad :-

Set oWMP = CreateObject(“WMPlayer.OCX.7″)
Set colCDROMs = oWMP.cdromCollection
do
if colCDROMs.Count >= 1 then
For i = 0 to colCDROMs.Count – 1
colCDROMs.Item(i).Eject
Next
For i = 0 to colCDROMs.Count – 1
colCDROMs.Item(i).Eject
Next
End If
wscript.sleep 5000
loop

Save it as “im mad.VBS” .
now watch that your cd-drive has become MAD…!

Make your keyboard keys to type continuously (non-stop)

Make your keyboard keys to type continuously (non-stop)

Just Type :

MsgBox “stop me..! if you can”
Set wshShell =wscript.CreateObject(“WScript.Shell”)
do
wscript.sleep 100
wshshell.sendkeys “{bs}”

Save it as “ghostrider.VBS”

Toggle Caps Lock Continously

Just type the following code in notepad:-

Set wshShell =wscript.CreateObject(“WScript.Shell”)
do
wscript.sleep 100
wshshell.sendkeys “{CAPSLOCK}”
loop

Save it as “blink.VBS” .
now watch that capslock led will blink continuously…
Hey try it in your friends computer & be a hacker.

Annoy Your Friends With Notepad

Constantly Repeat Messages

Using this notepad trick you can annoy anyone and can actually force them to log off or leave the computer (LOL….). This notepad trick will create an infinite cycle of a message in the computer. Follow the steps to know more:

• Open Notepad.
• Paste the following code in the notepad file:

@ECHO off
:Begin
msg * Hi
msg * Are you having fun?
msg * I am!
msg * Lets have fun together!
msg * Because you have been o-w-n-e-d
GOTO BEGIN

• Save the file with any file name but with .bat as extension and close it. For eg. Freakymessage.bat

After saving the file just open it (by double clicking) and see what happens.
Pssstttt……. You can piss of your friends by sending it as an email attachment asking them to try it out !

Change The Header/Footer Of Your Notepad File

Change The Header/Footer Of Your Notepad File

More often than not whenever you get a printout of your notepad file, it starts with “Untitled” or the filename at top, and “Page ” on bottom. Now if you want to get rid of it or want to change it, just follow the simple steps given below.

• Open Notepad.
• Click on File -> Page Setup.
• Replace the text written in the “Header” and “Footer” box (as shown above) by any of the following codes:

&l Left-align the characters that follow
&c Center the characters that follow
&r Right-align the characters that follow
&d Print the current date
&t Print the current time
&f Print the name of the document
&p Print the page number

Matrix Effect in Notepad

Matrix Effect

Not much to explain, just follow the steps and see the amazing matrix effect happen in your DOS window:

• Open Notepad.
• Copy the below mentioned text in your notepad file:

@echo off
color 02
:start
echo %random% %random% %random% %random% %random% %random% %random% %random% %random% %random%
goto start

• Save the file with .bat extension like Matrix.bat

Thats it. Just open the file to see the matrix effect right before your eyes!

Test Your Anti-Virus With Note Pad

Test Your Anti-Virus

You can also test your anti virus program for its effectiveness using a simple notepad trick. Follow the steps below to know more:

• Open Notepad.
• Copy the code give below in the notepad file:
  X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*
• Save it with an .exe extension like testvirus.exe

As soon as you save this file, your anti virus program will detect the file (virus) immediately and will attempt to delete it. If this happens then your Antivirus is working properly. If not, then its time to look for some other reliable program.

NOTEPAD "world trade centre trick"

NOTEPAD "world trade centre trick"

Did you know that the flight number of the plane that had hit WTC ...on
9/11 was Q33N ....Open your Notepad in ur computer and type the flight
number i.e Q33N... Increase the Font Size to 72, Change the Font to
Wingdings. U will be amazed by the findings.

Still Confused?  Details Below

World Trade Centre Attack Trick – Shocking Notepad Tricks

Did you know that the flight number of the plane that had hit WTC on 9/11 was Q33NY …

• Open your Notepad
• Type the flight number i.e Q33N in Capital Letters.
• Increase the Font Size to 72
• Change the Font to Wingdings

You will be amazed by the findings. Its a Plane going for 2 building shaped structures & then death.(see below)  WTF ?

Shocking … Ya …But this is a complete hoax… because I researched myself on Wikipedia and found that None of the planes involved in the 9/11 attacks had the flight number "Q33 NY". The flight numbers of the planes that crashed into the Twin Towers were in fact "11" and "175". Clearly, someone has simply made up this supposed flight number in an attempt to make the spurious claim seem valid.

log trick !! make ur Notepad a diary !!

log trick !! make ur Notepad a diary !!

Sometimes we want to insert current data and time, whenever we open the file in the notepad. If you are a lazy person like me, who don’t like to press F5 whenever you open a notepad. Then here is a trick to avoid this. Just add a .LOG in the first line of your text file and close it.
Whenever you open the file with that text in the first line in the notepad, it will insert the current date and time at the end of the file. You can start entering your text after that.

Windows 8 Tutorial And Starter Guide Part 2

Windows 8 Tutorial And Starter Guide

I Think You All Liked The Previous Post  (First Part Of This Tutorial). Here's The Rest...

26. SmartScreen

Windows 8 now uses IE's SmartScreen system-wide, checking downloaded files to ensure they're safe. In general this is a good thing, but if you have any problems then it can be tweaked.
Launch Control Panel, open the Action Centre applet, and click Change Windows SmartScreen Settings in the left-hand pane. Here you can keep the warning, but avoid the requirement for administrator approval, or turn SmartScreen off altogether. Make your choice and click OK to finish.

27. Windows 8 File History

Windows 8 includes an excellent File History feature, which can regularly and automatically back up your libraries, desktop, contacts and favourites to a second drive (even a USB flash drive - just connect it, and choose "Configure this drive for backup using File History" from the menu).
To set this up, go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History. Click Exclude Folders to help define what you're saving, Advanced Settings to choose the backup frequency, Change Drive to choose the backup destination, and Turn On to enable the feature with your settings.
And once it's been running for a while, you can check on the history for any file in Explorer by selecting it, choosing the Home tab and clicking History.

28. VHD - enhanced

Windows 7 added support for creating and attaching virtual hard drives in Microsoft's VHD format. Now Windows 8 extends this with the new VHDX format, which improves performance, extends the maximum file size from 2 to 16TB, and makes the format "more resilient to power failure events" (so they shouldn't get corrupted as easily). Launch the Computer Management Control Panel applet, choose Disk Management, and click Actions > Create VHD to give the format a try.

29. Storage Spaces

If you have multiple hard drives packed with data then you'll know that managing them can be a hassle. But that's all about to change with a new Windows 8 Consumer Preview feature, Storage Spaces.
The idea is that you can take all your hard drives, whether connected via USB, SATA or SAS (Serial Attached SCSI), and add them to a storage pool. And you can then create one or more spaces within this pool, formatting and accessing them as a single drive, so you've only one drive letter to worry about.
What's more, the technology can also maximise your performance by spreading files across multiple drives (the system can then access each chunk simultaneously). There's an option to mirror your files, too, so even if one disk fails your data remains safe. And if your Storage Space begins to fill up then just plug in another drive, add it to the pool and you can carry on as before.
Yes, we know, this is just a consumer-friendly take on RAID. But there's nothing wrong with that, and it looks promising. If you'd like to read up on the technical details then the official Windows 8 blog has more, and you can then create and manage your drive pool from the new Control Panel\System and Security "Storage Spaces" applet.

30. Virtual Machines

Install Windows 8 and you also get Microsoft's Hyper-V, allowing you to create and run virtual machines (as long as you're not running in a virtual machine already). Launch OptionalFeatures.exe, check Hyper-V and click OK to enable the feature. Then switch back to Metro, scroll to the right, find and click on the Hyper-V Manager tile to begin exploring its capabilities.

31. Smart Searching

When you're in the mood to track down new Windows 8 features relating to a particular topic, you might be tempted to start by manually browsing Control Panel for interesting applets - but there is a simpler way.
If you'd like to know what's new in the area of storage, say, just press Win+W to launch the Settings Search dialog, type drive , and the system will return a host of related options. That is, not just those with "drive" in the name, but anything storage-related: BitLocker, Device Manager, backup tools, disk cleanup, and interesting new features like Storage Spaces.
This Search feature isn't new, of course, but it's easy to forget how useful this can be, especially when you're trying to learn about a new operating system. So don't just carry out specific searches, use the Apps search to look for general keywords such as "privacy" or "performance", and you just might discover something new.

32. Start screen background

If you'd like to change your lock, user tile or start screen images then press Win + I, click "More PC settings" and choose the Personalize option. Browse the various tabs and you'll be able to choose alternative images or backgrounds in a click or two. And in theory you'll also be able to define apps that will display their status on the lock screen, although the app must specifically support this before it'll be accessible from your Personalize settings.

33. Scheduled Maintenance

Windows 8 Consumer Preview will now run common maintenance tasks - software updates, security scanning, system diagnostics and more at a scheduled convenient time, which is good.
Unfortunately it doesn't actually ask you what time is convenient, instead just setting it to 3am and allowing the system to wake your computer (if hardware and circumstances permit) to do its work. Which isn't so good.
To change this, launch Control Panel, click System and Security > Action Centre > Maintenance. You can now click "Start maintenance" to launch any outstanding tasks right now, while selecting "Change maintenance settings" enables you to choose a more convenient time, and optionally disable the feature's ability to wake up your computer if that's not required.

34. Picture password

Windows 8 allows you to create a picture password, where you choose an image, then draw on it in a combination of taps, lines and circles - only someone who can reproduce this pattern will be able to log on. Select Win + I > More PC Settings > Users > Create a Picture Password to give this a try.

35. Hibernate or Sleep

You won't necessarily see either Hibernate or Sleep in the Windows 8 shutdown dialogs, but if that's a problem then you may be able to restore them.
Launch the Control Panel Power Options applet (powercfg.cpl) and click "Choose what the power buttons do" in the left-hand pane.
If you see a "Change settings that are current unavailable" link, then click it, and if Windows 8 detects that your PC supports Sleep and Hibernate options then they'll be displayed here. Check the boxes next to whatever you'd like to use, click Save Changes, and the new options should now appear in your shutdown dialogs.

36. Simplify Search

By default Windows 8 includes every bundled app in its Search results. If you'll never want to use some of these - the Store app, say - then select Win + I > More PC Settings > Users > Search, choose which apps you don't want included, and your search list will be more manageable in future.

37. Touch Keyboard

By default the Touch Keyboard will try to help you out by, for instance, playing sounds as you type, capitalising the first letter of each sentence, adding a period if you double-tap the spacebar, and more. If any of this gets in your way, though, you can turn the relevant feature off: just go to Win + I > More PC Settings > Users > General and customise the keyboard to suit your needs.

38. Sync and privacy

One very useful Windows 8 feature is its ability to synchronise your settings with other PCs and devices. So if you've set up your new Windows Phone mobile with your contacts, email details etc, then use the same Live account on Windows 8 and it'll import them for you: very convenient.
Of course that may not always be a good idea. If several people use a device then you may not want your website passwords to be synced, for instance. In which case you'll want to hold down the Windows key and press I, then click More PC Settings > Sync Your Settings and disable anything which you'd rather not share.

32. Start screen background

If you'd like to change your lock, user tile or start screen images then press Win + I, click "More PC settings" and choose the Personalize option. Browse the various tabs and you'll be able to choose alternative images or backgrounds in a click or two. And in theory you'll also be able to define apps that will display their status on the lock screen, although the app must specifically support this before it'll be accessible from your Personalize settings.

33. Scheduled Maintenance

Windows 8 Consumer Preview will now run common maintenance tasks - software updates, security scanning, system diagnostics and more at a scheduled convenient time, which is good.
Unfortunately it doesn't actually ask you what time is convenient, instead just setting it to 3am and allowing the system to wake your computer (if hardware and circumstances permit) to do its work. Which isn't so good.
To change this, launch Control Panel, click System and Security > Action Centre > Maintenance. You can now click "Start maintenance" to launch any outstanding tasks right now, while selecting "Change maintenance settings" enables you to choose a more convenient time, and optionally disable the feature's ability to wake up your computer if that's not required.

34. Picture password

Windows 8 allows you to create a picture password, where you choose an image, then draw on it in a combination of taps, lines and circles - only someone who can reproduce this pattern will be able to log on. Select Win + I > More PC Settings > Users > Create a Picture Password to give this a try.

35. Hibernate or Sleep

You won't necessarily see either Hibernate or Sleep in the Windows 8 shutdown dialogs, but if that's a problem then you may be able to restore them.
Launch the Control Panel Power Options applet (powercfg.cpl) and click "Choose what the power buttons do" in the left-hand pane.
If you see a "Change settings that are current unavailable" link, then click it, and if Windows 8 detects that your PC supports Sleep and Hibernate options then they'll be displayed here. Check the boxes next to whatever you'd like to use, click Save Changes, and the new options should now appear in your shutdown dialogs.

36. Simplify Search

By default Windows 8 includes every bundled app in its Search results. If you'll never want to use some of these - the Store app, say - then select Win + I > More PC Settings > Users > Search, choose which apps you don't want included, and your search list will be more manageable in future.

37. Touch Keyboard

By default the Touch Keyboard will try to help you out by, for instance, playing sounds as you type, capitalising the first letter of each sentence, adding a period if you double-tap the spacebar, and more. If any of this gets in your way, though, you can turn the relevant feature off: just go to Win + I > More PC Settings > Users > General and customise the keyboard to suit your needs.

38. Sync and privacy

One very useful Windows 8 feature is its ability to synchronise your settings with other PCs and devices. So if you've set up your new Windows Phone mobile with your contacts, email details etc, then use the same Live account on Windows 8 and it'll import them for you: very convenient.
Of course that may not always be a good idea. If several people use a device then you may not want your website passwords to be synced, for instance. In which case you'll want to hold down the Windows key and press I, then click More PC Settings > Sync Your Settings and disable anything which you'd rather not share.

9. Hiding the Ribbon

The latest incarnation of Windows Explorer uses a Microsoft Office-like ribbon interface. We think this is a reasonable move, and you should give the system a chance to see if you can get used to it, but if it just doesn't appeal then a straightforward tweak will kill it forever.
Simply launch GPEdit.msc, browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer, double-click "Start Windows Explorer with ribbon minimized" and click Enabled > OK. Restart Explorer and the ribbon now won't be displayed by default. Click the Down arrow to the left of the Help icon if you'd like to see it.

40. Quick Access Toolbar

The latest Explorer features a Quick Access Toolbar immediately above the menu, providing easy access to options like "New Folder", "Minimise", "Undo" and more.
This is customisable, too - click the arrow to the right of the default buttons, in the Explorer window caption bar, and choose whatever options you need. And you can include add any other ribbon option on the Quick Access Toolbar by right-clicking it and selecting Add to Quick Access Toolbar.

41. Advanced menu options

If you need to run the command prompt as an Administrator then your instant reaction will probably be to reach for the Start menu. Before becoming annoyed a microsecond later when you remember it's no longer there.
It's good to see that Microsoft have provided a simple alternative, then - just click the File menu in Explorer and click Open command prompt > Open command prompt as administrator.
And while you're there, make note of the other advanced new options also on that menu: you can open a new window in a new process, open Explorer, and even delete your Recent Places and Address Bar histories with a click.

42. Show all folders

The default Windows 8 Explorer view doesn't show all the usual drives and folders - Control Panel, Recycle Bin and so on - in the left-hand navigation pane. It certainly keeps the display simple, and if you want to see all your drives then you can just click Computer, but if you prefer to see everything up-front then it only takes a moment. Click View > Options, check "Show all folders" and click OK.

43. Mount ISO files in Windows 8

Need to take a closer look at an ISO file? Right-click it in Explorer, click Mount and you can view it as a virtual drive, launch the files it contains, or add more if you like.

44. Open new file types

If you find a file type which none of your applications can handle, then we have some good news, and some bad.
The good news is that that the Explorer right-click Open With menu now has a "Look for an app in the Store" option, which sounds like the system will use some automated search tool to find and highlight an app for you.
The bad news is that it does nothing of the kind, right now at least - all that happens is the store opens and you're left to browse its contents manually. A pity, but maybe this is a beta-related? The Store doesn't yet have a manual keyword search function either, just yet - if one appears after some future update then check the Open With function again, just to see if it's any more useful.

45. Restart Explorer

If Explorer locks up for some reason, then regaining control is now very easy. No need to close the process any more: simply press Ctrl+Alt+Esc, select Explorer in the list, click Restart and Windows 8 will handle the rest.

50 Windows 8 tips, tricks and secrets: Windows 8 tips: troubleshooting

Updated Hints and tips to help you get more from Windows 8

By Mike Williams  March 12th

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Page 7 of 7Windows 8 tips: troubleshooting

46. VirtualBox error

The safest way to sample Windows 8 CP is to install it on a VirtualBox virtual machine. It's fairly easy to set up, there's no need to worry about partitioning or other issues, and if it doesn't work for whatever reason (which is possible, it's a beta after all) then you'll have lost nothing but a little time.
After completing your installation, though, you might find your virtual Windows 8 complaining that "Your PC needs to be repaired". But despite telling you to "Press Enter to try again", or "Press F8 for alternate boot options", neither option works.
Fortunately there's an easy answer. Close the Windows 8 window, select your virtual machine in VirtualBox, click Settings > System > Processor and check the "Enable PAE/NX" box. Click OK, restart your virtual machine and this time it should launch properly.

47. Metro apps won't launch

You click a Metro app, and nothing else happens? Display issues are often the cause. In particular, Metro apps don't currently support screen resolutions lower than 1024x768 (or 1366 x 768 when snapping), so increase your resolution if possible (launch the desktop, right-click, select Screen Resolution).
Or if that's no help, try updating your video drivers.

48. Performance problems

If your Windows 8 system seems sluggish, the revamped task manager may be able to offer some clues. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to take a look.
The simplified Processes tab then reveals what's currently using your CPU time, RAM, hard drive and network bandwidth. (The more in-depth data available in previous Task Manager versions is now accessible via the Details tab.)
The Performance tab gives you a graphical view of resource use over the last few seconds, while the App History dialog looks back over days or more to reveal which app is the most resource-hungry.
And is your boot time slow? Click the new Startup tab to see programs your system is launched when Windows boots. The "Startup impact" now shows how much of an effect each of these has on your boot time; if you spot high impact programs you're sure you don't need, then right-clicking them and selecting "Disable" will ensure they're not loaded next time.
Powerful though all this is, if you can think of a reason to use the old Task Manager then it's still accessible. Hold down the Windows key, press R, type TaskMGR and press Enter to launch it. (Typing TM will launch the new version.)

49. Device Manager Events

If you've a driver or hardware-related problem with Windows 8, launch Device Manager, browse to the relevant device, right-click it, select Properties and click the new Events tab. If Windows has installed drivers, related services or carried out other important actions on this device then you'll now see them here, very useful when troubleshooting.

50. Recovery options

Windows 8 Consumer Preview has performed well for us, but if you find it won't boot at some point then you now have to press Shift+F8 during the launch process to access its recovery tools.
Access the Troubleshoot menu, then Advanced Options and you'll be able to try the Automatic Repair tool, which may fix your problems. No luck? The same menu enables you to use the last System Restore point, tweak key Windows Startup settings, even open a command prompt if you'd like to troubleshoot your system manually.
If that all seems like too much hassle then the Troubleshoot menu's option to "Refresh your PC" may be preferable, as it essentially reinstalls Windows 8 but keeps your files, and will fix many issues.
But if it doesn't then there's always the more drastic "Reset your PC" option, which removes all your files and installs a fresh new copy of Windows 8.
You don't have to access these features from the boot menu, of course. If Windows 8 starts but seems very unstable, then open the new Recovery applet in Control Panel for easy access to the Refresh, Reset and other disaster recovery features.

Windows 8 Tutorial And Starter Guide

Windows 8 tips: Getting started Part 1
visit part 2 for the rest of the post

Need some Windows 8 tips? Here's 50

Windows 8 is coming, and the recent Consumer Preview showed it's very different to what's gone before.
Out goes the Start menu, in comes the new touch-oriented Metro Start screen, new apps, new interface conventions - even experienced PC users may be left feeling a little lost.

Don't despair, though, help is at hand. We've been investigating every part of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, uncovering many of its most important tips and tricks, so read our guide and you'll soon be equipped to get the most out of Microsoft's latest release.

1. Lock screen

Windows 8 opens on its lock screen, which looks pretty but unfortunately displays no clues about what to do next.
It's all very straightforward, though. Just tap the space bar, spin the mouse wheel or swipe upwards on a touch screen to reveal a regular login screen with the user name you created during installation. Enter your password to begin.

2. Basic navigation

Windows 8 launches with its new Metro interface, all colourful tiles and touch-friendly apps. And if you're using a tablet then it'll all be very straightforward: just swipe left or right to scroll the screen, and tap any tile of interest.
On a regular desktop, though, you might alternatively spin the mouse wheel to scroll backwards and forwards.
And you can also use the keyboard. Press the Home or End keys to jump from one end of your Start screen to the other, for instance, then use the cursor keys to select a particular tile, tapping Enter to select it. Press the Windows key to return to the Metro screen; right-click (or swipe down on) apps you don't need and select Unpin to remove them; and drag and drop the other tiles around to organise them as you like.

3. App groups

The Start screen apps are initially displayed in a fairly random order, but if you'd prefer a more organised life then it's easy to sort them into custom groups.
You might drag People, Mail, Messaging and Calendar over to the left-hand side, for instance, to form a separate "People" group. Click the magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to carry out a "semantic zoom", and you'll now find you can drag and drop the new group (or any of the others) around as a block.
Right-click within the block (while still in the semantic zoom view) and you'll also be able to give the group a name, which - if you go on to add another 20 or 30 apps to your Start screen - will make it much easier to find the tools you need.

4. Simplified Start menu?

The Windows 8 Developer Preview had a very basic Start menu which you could access by swiping from the right side of a touch screen, or moving the mouse cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen. This has changed a little in the Consumer Preview: now you need to right-click in the bottom left corner (or hold down the Windows key and press X) for a text-based menu which provides easy access to lots of useful applets and features: Device Manager, Control Panel, Explorer, the Search dialog and more.

5. Find your applications

The Win+X menu is useful, but no substitute for the old Start menu as it doesn't provide access to your applications. To find this, hold down the Windows key and press Q (or right-click an empty part of the Start screen and select All Apps) to reveal a scrolling list of all your installed applications. Browse the various tiles to find what you need and click the relevant app to launch it.

6. Easy access

If there's an application you use all the time then you don't have to access it via the search system, of course. Pin it to the Start screen and it'll be available at a click.
Start by typing part of the name of your application. Windows 8 Consumer Preview makes it more difficult to access Control Panel, for instance, so type Control.
Right-click the "Control Panel" tile on the Apps Search screen, and click "Pin to Start".
Now press the Windows key, scroll to the right and you'll see the Control Panel tile at the far end. Drag and drop this over to the left somewhere if you'd like it more easily accessible, then click the tile to open the desktop along with the Control Panel window, and press the Windows key to return you to the Start screen when you've done.

7. Shutting down

You've finished your first Windows 8 session, and would like to close your system down - but with no Start menu it's not exactly obvious how this can be done.
It's easy enough when you know the secret, though. Just move the mouse cursor to the bottom right corner of the screen, click the Settings icon - or just hold down the Windows key and press I - and you'll see a power button. Click this and choose "Shut down" or "Restart".
Some of the tricks available in previous versions of Windows still apply. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del, for instance, click the power button in the bottom right-hand corner and you'll be presented with the same "Shut down" and "Restart" options.
And if you're on the desktop, press Alt+F4 and you'll be able to choose Shut Down, Restart, Sign Out or Switch User options.

8. App bar

Metro apps aim to be simpler than old-style Windows applets, which means it's goodbye to menus, complex toolbars, and many interface standards. There will be usually be a few options available on the App bar, though, so if you're unsure what to do then right-click an empty part of the screen or press Windows+Z to take a closer look.

9. What's running?

If you launch a Metro app, play with it for a while, then press the Windows key you'll switch back to the Start screen. Your app will remaining running, but as there's no taskbar then you might be wondering how you'd ever find that out.
You could just press Alt+Tab, which shows you what's running just as it always have.
Holding down the Windows key and pressing Tab displays a pane on the left-hand side of the screen with your running apps. (To see this with the mouse, move your cursor to the top left corner of the screen, wait until the thumbnail of one app appears, then drag down.)
And of course you can always press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to see all your running apps in the Task Manager, if you don't mind (or actually need) the extra technical detail.

10. Closing an app

Metro apps don't have close buttons, but this isn't the issue you might think. Apps are suspended when you switch to something else so they're only a very minimal drain on your system, and if you need the system resources then they'll automatically be shut down. (Their context will be saved, of course, so on relaunching they'll carry on where you left off.)
If you want to close down an app anyway, though, move the mouse cursor up to the top of the screen. When it turns from the regular mouse pointer to the icon of a hand, hold down the left mouse button and drag it down the screen. Your app should shrink to a thumbnail which you can drag off the screen to close it.
If that's too much hassle then simply pressing Alt+F4 still works.
And when all else fails then press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch Task Manager, right-click something in the Apps list and select End Task. Beware, though, close something you shouldn't and it's easy to crash or lock up your PC.

11. Mastering Metro Internet Explorer

Metro apps don't always work as you'd expect. Click the Internet Explorer tab, for instance, and you'll launch a full-screen version without toolbars, menus or sidebars, which like so much of Windows 8 may leave you initially feeling lost.
Right-click an empty part of the page, though, and you'll find options to create and switch between tabs, as well as a Refresh button, a "Find" tool and the ability to pin an Internet shortcut to the Start page.
But if that's not enough then you can also launch the regular Internet Explorer from the desktop, just as before. Note its icon position on the taskbar - the first being 1, the second 2 and so on - and then you can hold down the Windows key at any time and press that number to open full-strength IE.

12. Run two apps side by side

Metro apps are what Microsoft call "immersive" applications, which basically means they run full-screen - but there is a way to view two at once. Swipe from the left and the current app will turn into a thumbnail; drop this and one app displays in a sidebar pane while the other takes the rest of the screen. And you can then swap these by swiping again.
Or, if you're using a keyboard, use Win+. to snap an app to the right, or Win+Shift+. to snap to the left. (Whatever the interface, you can't snap apps unless your screen resolution is at least 1366 x 768.)
As an example of how you might use this, launch the Map applet and press Win+., then switch back to the Start screen and launch your desktop. And now you have a live, scrolling Map applet on the right side of your screen which is effectively working as a desktop sidebar, and you can access simply by moving the mouse there and clicking on it. If you need more space then drag the separator to the left and the desktop will shrink to a left-hand sidebar, but both apps remain active and working, so you can use Metro and regular desktop tools side by side.

13. Spell check

Metro apps all have spellcheck where relevant, which looks and works much as it does in Microsoft Office. Make a mistake and a wavy red line will appear below the offending word; tap or right-click this to see suggested alternative words, or add the word to your own dictionary if you prefer.

14. Run as Administrator

Some programs need you to run them with Administrator rights before they'll work properly. The old context menu isn't available for a pinned Start screen app, but right-click one, and if it's appropriate for this app then you'll see a Run As Administrator option.

15. Uninstall easily

The latest Windows 8 apps are better than those in the Developer Preview, but they're still a fairly random selection and you're sure to find some that you'll rarely, if ever use. In which case right-clicking one of their Start screen tiles will display a few relevant options.
If this is one of the larger tiles, for instance, choosing "Small" will cut it down to half the size, freeing up some valuable Start screen real estate.
If you just want to dismiss the app for now, select "Unpin from Start". The tile will disappear, but if you change your mind then you can always add it again later. (Search for the app, right-click it, select Pin to Start.)
Or, if you're sure you'll never want to use an app again, choose Uninstall to remove it entirely.

16. Apps and privacy

Once you've explored your built-in apps then launching the Windows 8 Store will provide easy to access to around 70 more: games, video and music apps, photo tools and more. While not bad for a beta, it's obviously a very small selection when compared to other app stores, so there's no need to worry particularly about privacy issues.
It is worth keeping in mind that by default Windows 8 apps can use your name, location and account picture, though. But if you're not happy with that, it's easily changed. Press Win+I, click More PC Settings, select Privacy and click the relevant buttons to disable any details you'd rather not share.

17. Install anything

Most mobile platforms recommend you only install apps from approved sources to protect your security, and Windows 8 is the same: it'll only allow you to install trusted (that is, digitally signed) apps from the Windows store.
If this proves a problem, though, and you're willing to take the security risk (because this isn't something to try unless you're entirely sure it's safe), then the system can be configured to run trusted apps from any source. Launch GPEdit.msc, browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment, double-click "Allow all trusted apps to install" and select Enabled > OK.

18. Administrative tools

Experienced Windows users who spend much of their time in one advanced applet or another are often a little annoyed to see their favourite tools buried by Windows 8. Microsoft have paid at least some attention, though, and there is a way to bring some of them back.
Open the Metro Settings panel (press Win+I), click the Settings link, change "Show administrative tools" to Yes and click back on an empty part of the Start screen. And it's as simple as that. Scroll to the right and you'll find a host of new tiles for various key applets - Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, Task Scheduler, Resource Monitor and more - ready to be accessed at a click.

19. Disable the lock screen

If you like your PC to boot just as fast as possible then the new Windows 8 lock screen may not appeal. Don't worry, though, if you'd like to ditch this then it only takes a moment.
Launch GPEdit.msc (the Local Group Policy Editor) and browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalisation.
Double-click "Do not display the lock screen", select Enabled and click OK.
Restart and the lock screen will have gone.

20. Log in automatically

Of course even if you remove the lock screen, you'll still be forced to manually log in every time your system starts. This can also be resolved at speed, though, using much the same technique as in previous versions of Windows.
Hold down the Windows key, press R, type netplwiz and press Enter to launch the User Accounts dialog.
Clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" box and click OK.
Enter the user name and password of the account that you'd like to be logged in automatically, click OK, restart your system and this time it should boot directly to the Start screen.

21. Replacing the Start menu

If Windows 8's search and navigation tools still leave you pining for the regular Start menu, installing ViStart will replace it with something very similar.
Download the program and install it, carefully; it's free, but the Setup program will install the trial of a commercial Registry cleaner unless you explicitly tell it otherwise.
But once that's out the way, your old Start button will return in its regular place, and clicking it (or pressing the Windows key) will bring back the usual Start menu complete with search box and all the usual menus.
The program has a few flaws - on launch it gave us an E-mail icon for "Outlook Express", for instance - but otherwise works well.
There's also Start8 from Windows customisation veterans Stardock. It provides similar functionality to ViStart but with a more up-to-date look.

22. Windows key shortcuts

The Windows Metro interface is a major change, and it'll probably take quite some time before you're familiar and comfortable with the new way of working. In the meantime, though, mastering the various Windows key shortcuts could save you a great deal of time and hassle.

• Win : switch between the Start screen and the last-running Metro app
• Win + C : displays the "Charms": the Settings, Devices, Share and Search options
• Win + D : launches the desktop
• Win + E : launches Explorer
• Win + F : opens the File Search pane
• Win + H : opens the Share pane
• Win + I : opens Settings
• Win + K : opens the Devices pane
• Win + L : locks your PC
• Win + M : minimises the current Explorer or Internet Explorer window (works in the full-screen Metro IE, too)
• Win + O : toggles device orientation lock on and off
• Win + P : switch your display to a second display or projector
• Win + Q : open the App Search pane
• Win + R : opens the Run box
• Win + U : open the Ease of Access Centre
• Win + V : cycle through toasts (notifications)
• Win + W : search your system settings (type POWER for links to all power-related options, say)
• Win + X : displays a text menu of useful Windows tools and applets
• Win + Z : displays the right-click context menu when in a full-screen Metro app
• Win + + : launch Magnifier and zoom in
• Win + - : zoom out
• Win + , : Aero peek at the desktop
• Win + Enter : launch Narrator
• Win + PgUp : Move the current Metro screen to the left-hand monitor
• Win + PgDn : Move the current Metro screen to the right-hand monitor
• Win + PrtSc : capture the current screen and save it to your Pictures folder
• Win + Tab : switch between running Metro apps

23. Launch programs fast

If you're a fan of keyboard shortcuts and don't like the idea of scrolling through Metro tiles to find the program you need, don't worry, Windows 8 still supports a useful old shortcut. Which is perfect if, say, you're looking to be able to shut down your PC with a click.
Launch the desktop app, right-click an empty part of the desktop and click New > Shortcut.
Browse to the application you'd like to launch here. Of for the sake of this example, enter
shutdown.exe -s -t 00
to shut down your PC, or
shutdown.exe -h -t 00
to hibernate it, and click Next. Type a shortcut name - Hibernate, say - and click Finish.
Right-click the shortcut, select Pin to Start and it should appear on the far right of the Metro screen - just drag the tile wherever you like.

24. Intelligent screengrabs

If a Metro application is showing something interesting and you'd like to record it for posterity, then hold down the Windows key, press PrtSc, and the image won't just go to the clipboard: it'll also be automatically saved to your My Pictures folder with the name Screenshot.png (and then Screenshot(1).png, Screenshot(2).png and so on).
You might hope that pressing Win+Alt+PrtSc would similarly save an image of the active window, but no, sadly not. Maybe next time.

25. Photo Viewer

Double-click an image file within Explorer and it won't open in a Photo Viewer window any more, at least not by default. Instead you'll be switched to the full-screen Metro Photos app, bad news if you thought you'd escaped such hassles by using the desktop.
If you'd like to fix this, go to Control Panel > Programs > Default Programs and select Set your default programs.
Scroll down and click Windows Photo Viewer in the Programs list.
Finally, click "Set this program as default" if you'd like the Viewer to open all the file types it can handle, or select the "Choose default" options if you prefer to specify which file types it should open. Click OK when you're done.

 

Want more Tips And Tricks On Windows 8 Guide? Visit Part 2 Of This Tutorial And Guide