Handy Family Tips (6): Keys

Source: http://ronitbaras.blogspot.com/2010/08/handy-family-tips-6-keys.html

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Source: http://computech-teluu.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-create-super-password.html"

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How to Enable Quick Launch in Windows 7

How to Enable Quick Launch in Windows 7

As you all probably know by now, in Windows 7, Microsoft has done away with both the Classic Start menu and what we know as the Quick Launch bar. Getting the classic menu back in Windows Vista was possible, but in Windows 7, Microsoft no longer lets us change the default settings back to Classic (you can use 3rd-party tools to do it - Read my Get Back the Classic Start Menu in Windows 7 article for more info).

Anyway, Start menu is one thing, but the Quick Launch toolbar is another. In previous Microsoft-based operating systems, the Quick Launch was always there, allowing you to easily open applications, but most importantly - to add your own apps as shortcuts.

True, in Windows 7, the taskbar has evolved into something more potent than the "simple" Quick Launch toolbar. In Windows 7, apps are now pinned to the taskbar, allowing you to do much more than you could be able to with Quick Launch. For example, you can quickly get a graphic preview of what's happening in each minimized app, even see movie thumbnails. You can also pin apps to the taskbar, and have them show you the latest documents or files that you used with these apps.

But I've gotten man e-mails from my readers asking how it could be possible to get the Quick Launch toolbar back, and I've decided to investigate this. It turns out that quite a few people are not so easily taken by Windows 7's new desktop features, and would like to keep the ones that they've already learned to use.

So, read on.

To get the Quick Launch toolbar back in Windows 7, please perform the following steps:

1. Unpin all existing apps from the current taskbar. You do this by right-clicking on each app icon and selecting unpin from taskbar.

Eventually, the taskbar should have no pinned apps (there were 3, by default - IE, Windows Explorer, and Media Player).

2. Right-click on the taskbar and select Toolbars > New Toolbar.

3. In the address bar, type:

%userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet Explorer

4. Select the Quick Launch folder and click on Select Folder.

5. Notice how the new toolbar has appeared, but it's not where we want it to be...

Right-click on the taskbar and click to un-select the Lock Toolbar option.

6. Notice how now you've got 2 drag marks on the taskbar.

7. Here's where the nice bit comes in. You click to select the left-hand drag mark, and drag it all the way to the right, till the Quick Launch toolbar fills the entire taskbar.

8. You can let go now. Next, we'll fix the Quick Launch toolbar to look "normal". First, remove the text.

Right-click on the taskbar and click to un-select the Show Text and Show Title options.

9. Right-click on the taskbar and click to select View > Large Icons option.

10. Bingo. Next, click to select the drag mark, and drag it all the way to the left, till it almost reaches the Quick Launch toolbar's right-most icon.

11. Finally, right-click on the taskbar and click to select the Lock Toolbar option.

That's it, you now have a fully functional Quick Launch toolbar, and you can drag to it any app shortcut or folder you like.

BTW, you also get the original "Show Desktop" icon, plus, you keep all the functionality of the original Windows 7 taskbar.

Source: http://anindya-nandi.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-enable-quick-launch-in-windows-7.html

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Is Your PC Compatible with Windows 7?

Is Your PC Compatible with Windows 7? 

Find Out with Upgrade Advisor

Windows 7 is here to stay, and thank God, it's much much better than Windows Vista. Therefore, if any of you guys is still contemplating about moving on from Windows XP Pro to Windows 7, or, if God forbid, you're using Windows Vista - now is a perfect time to move on.

Windows 7 will work much faster than Windows Vista ever did - on the same hardware. And, if you're buying a new computer - laptop or desktop - you'll be guaranteed to get the ultimate user experience.

But hold on. How can you tell if your current computer - hardware, software and peripheral devices such as scanners and printers - is all compatible with Windows 7? Generally speaking, if your PC can run Windows Vista, it can probably run Windows 7, but it's still a good idea to check first.

Luckily for us, there is a tool that'll do just that. The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your PC for potential compatibility issues and lets you know about your Windows 7 upgrade options, and see if it’s ready for Windows 7. Within minutes, you'll get a report that lets you know if your processor is capable of running 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and gives guidance on your upgrade options and tells you if your PC meets the system requirements, if any known compatibility issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs are found, and gives guidance on what to do to before installing Windows 7 on your PC. If an issue can be resolved, it suggests next steps for you to take before installing Windows 7.

Get if from here: Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

After downloading the tool, install it by running Windows7UpgradeAdvisorSetup.exe.

Note: In the following example I've used Windows XP Pro 32-bit running in a Virtual Machine for my demo. I've also installed a few programs on my demo machine:

• Adobe Reader 9.1


• Auslogics Disk Defrag 3.1.2.90


• Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.377


• Paint.NET v3.51


• PDFCreator 0.9.9


• Skype v4.1


• WinRAR 3.90


• WinZip 12.1


• Wireshark 1.24     to name a few...

Accept the license agreement and click in the "Install" button.

When installation is done, you can run the tool directly or by using the Windows XP/Vista start menu.

Click on the "Start Check" button to begin the scan.

Process will take a few moments to complete.

In just a few minutes, you'll get a report that tells you if your PC meets the system requirements.

In this example, my VM only had 512 MB or RAM. Windows 7 32-bit version requires at least 1 GB of RAM, and the 64-bit version requires at least 2 GB of RAM. That's one thing I'd need to fix before installing Windows 7 on that machine.

The program also found applications that are compatible with Windows 7.

Overall, the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is a nice way to get you on the right track of running Windows 7 on your existing hardware.

Source: http://anindya-nandi.blogspot.com/2010/08/is-your-pc-compatible-with-windows-7.html

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Secure your Wireless Network

Secure your Wireless Network

Many would like to have a secured network, however most have no inclination how they would accomplish such a goal. What they are not aware of is that there is two major layers of security to a network that protect computer against attacks. Each individual layer adds additional protection to stop people from gaining access to your network. More importantly, it prevents them from having access to your personal computer and sensitive information.

Hard line networks that only use cables are extremely difficult to gain access to, but not impossible. Wireless, though, is fairly simple for those that know what they are doing. That is why it is so important to maintain a secured network. If your network is not secured, they could gain access from right in front of your house to your Internet. This will slow your connection down as you are now sharing it with someone else. After they have gained access to your router, they also will have access to your computer, and all files that you have shared.

This is where multiple layers of network security come into play. You will be required to use a password to gain access to the router in the event they try to change your network settings, as well as a password to access the network itself, and yet another password to access your personal computer. If you fully utilize all available layers of network security, it will make it incredibly difficult for anyone illegally to access your network, or personal computer.

The process is actually simple, but is broken down into two different subcategories with step-by-step instructions for each individual layer. Below you will find the process to properly secure your network.

Important Reminder: Each layer of security will make it more difficult for you to bypass. Remember these steps in the event that you need to disable them temporarily. You may also see “How To Create Windows Firewall Exceptions” if you need to allow specific programs through your windows firewall.

At The Router Level (First Layer Of Security):

Steps to access your Router:

1) Go To Start, and do a search for command.exe or if you're using an older version of Windows, go to run and type command.exe.

2) Type ipconfig

3) Locate where it says “Default Gateway” this is the IP to your Router. Usually it is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1

4) Open your browser and input that IP address into your URL box.

5) This will now open a screen to Login to your router, the default password will vary from router to router, so see your instruction manual to locate this.

After accessing your router there are a few additional steps that you should take to increase the security to your router. The result will be listed as the exact steps will vary based on each individual router company.

- Change the Default Administration Password: This will aid in preventing people from accessing your router and changing the settings around, which could allow them easier access to your network.

- Disable Remote Login: Makes it so they are unable to even access the router, even if they have the information from remote locations.

- Change the network name (Also known as SSID): By default, a lot of network names have the product name, giving hackers a starting point, as many default passwords are the manufacturer's name.

- Turn off SSID broadcasting: This will prevent your router from sending out the name of your network on a consistent basis as most do by default.

- Add the individual IP address of each computer you use, and filter out the rest:This is also called IP filtering/Mac Filtering.

- Enable your routers wireless encryption: Most will have WPA,WPA2,WEP, and several others. The best for personal use is WPA or WPA2. WEP is only basic encryption, and could be broken within a few hours by someone who has the right knowledge or tools. Change the password to something you will not forget. With this password you can allow others access to your network, while blocking out unwanted visitors.

- Update your Routers Firmware.

The exact steps in this section vary quite a bit. However, most will be found under security, or admin of your specific router.

Network And Sharing Center (Second level of security):

Windows offers an additional layer of security within the Network and Sharing Center. To access this area, and properly secure your computer from the network follow the steps listed below.

1) Press the Start Icon

2) Click Control Panel on the right hand side

3) Click Network

4) Click Setup File Sharing

This is the Network, and Sharing Center for Windows Vista.

The next steps are fairly simple to ensure the highest level of security. You may change a few settings based on how often you have others accessing your files, or you may just turn them on as necessary.

Make sure under Sharing and Discovery the settings below are changed:

- Network discovery- Off

- File sharing- Off

- Public folder sharing-Off

- Printer sharing-Off

- Password protected sharing-ON

- Media sharing-Off

You also can change your network name through Windows in the Network and Sharing Center. To the right of your network name, you will see “customize” After clicking customize, you can rename the network as windows identifies it. You also may select either a Public or Private connection.

Of course these are only a few levels of security you can add to protect your network, and your personal computer. This is not factoring in your personal programs like Zone Alarm, which blocks all Internet, and LAN activity when you hit Stop Traffic, or other anti-virus software. Many of which will block, and attempt to trace the IP of any one who attempts to hack through their programs.

Source: http://anindya-nandi.blogspot.com/2010/08/secure-your-wireless-network.html

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Rename Start Menu Sections

Rename Start Menu Sections
Here's an easy one for all you Windows 7 users out there! Say you want to rename something under your start menu – let's say you want “Games” to be called “Entertainment”.

So click Start, and then Right-Click on Games.

Now Choose Rename and type in your new name for the section.

And there you have it! Instant customization! Now you can rename Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, Games and Computer to whatever you want!


Source: http://anindya-nandi.blogspot.com/2010/08/rename-start-menu-sections.html

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