Most of us have only one user account per Windows 7 computer, but that’s not always a good thing.  It may make for a clean user interface, but it can become a real problem when / if you happen to lose access to that account.  By enabling the hidden Windows Admin account you can recover that password and regain access to your computer, and it’s a fairly simple process.  You can do this now to be prepared for a future mishap, but if the worst happens, you can do this from a Windows 7 install disc as well.

To get started click the Windows 7 “Start” button and type “regedit” into the search box.  In the resulting window click on “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE”.  Now click “File” and “Load Hive…”.

In the “File Name” field type “%windir%\system32\config\SAM” and hit Enter.

“SAM” is the Security accounts administrator”.  Scroll down to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\test\SAM\Domains\Account\Users” and click the “000001F4″ and on the right side double-click the “F”.

A new window will open allowing you to edit the “F” entry. The line that starts with “0038” is what you want to edit. The value next to “0038” is “11”, replace it with “10”. Be careful not to change anything else. Just double click the “11” and type “10” then hit the OK button. “11” is for disabled and “10” for enabled.

Back in the Registry Editor, from the left side click on the name you gave to the hive you loaded earlier and click “Unload Hive” from the File menu, restart the computer and you are done. The Administrator account for Windows 7 is now enabled.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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If you use Google Docs, and many of you probably do, then being able to access your docs offline is a real need.  WiFi is widespread, but there are still plenty of times when you are out of range.  Ideally, you need a way to download and sync your Google Docs so you can have offline access from your desktop, laptop, or tablet no matter where in the world you happen to be.  Not long ago we discovered SyncDocs, but now we have found Insync, so let’s see how it works as well.

Insync is best described as Dropbox for Google Docs.  It regulates synchronization between your Google Docs account and a local storage folder.  Insync supports two-way synchronization, allowing users to sync files either up or down.  It also allows users to connect all of their Google Apps accounts to it , making it a repository for a lot of your Google data.

Insync works a bit differently from SyncDocs.  First you will need to download and install the connector app, an 8.2 MB file that is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit version of both Windows (XP, Vista, and 7) and Mac (Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion), with Linux “coming soon”.  The setup process will ask you to click “ok” to restart Explorer, but don’t worry, that’s not a problem.  Once completed, a new icon will appear in your system tray.  Right-click that icon and you will get a menu of options.

Now you will need to set up Insync with your Google account.  The web page should have opened on setup, but if it didn’t then right-click the icon in your system tray and choose “Link machine”.  Now enter in your Insync user ID and password.

The system tray icon provides all of your interaction with Insync.  You can click “Recent Activities” to see what has recently been synced up and/or down.  Click “Open Insync Folder” to view all of the files that are stored locally on your computer.  This folder resides within your computer’s “My Documents” folder.  Inside the Insync folder, you will find all of the files that have been synced with the Insync server.  If you have files you want to add to Google Docs, like Office documents, you can put them in this folder.  The sync will take place instantly, just like it does in Dropbox.

Currently InSync is available by invitation only.  You can sign up to receive an invitation by visiting their website.  Right now it’s free to use and I assume that it will remain that way after it’s final release.  While you’re waiting for your invite you can check out a video below that shows off some the features.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Microsoft have launched the Windows PowerShell 3 CTP (Community Technology Preview).  If you aren’t familiar with Windows PowerShell, it’s a great framework for writing little scripts to take care of everyday tasks in Windows, meaning it can automate many of the simple things you need to do on a daily basis.  Wikipedia describes it as “Windows PowerShell is Microsoft’s task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework. PowerShell provides full access to COM and WMI, enabling administrators to perform administrative tasks on both local and remote Windows systems.”  Think of the CTP as something like a pre-beta release.  It’s akin to the Windows 8 Developer Preview.

In the new version of Windows PowerShell you will find new GUI interfaces, a better editor, better command discovery, and Powershell web access.  There’s a lot more to all of these features, but to get the detailed information I would recommend visiting this blog post over at Microsoft TechNet, because the scope of this exceeds the normal scope of this web site.

Microsoft states that the final version of Windows PowerShell will likely be released with Windows 8, but both the CTP and final versions are and will be backwards compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.  You can download Windows PowerShell 3 CTP here.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Dropbox has become the standard for cloud sharing and syncing in recent times.  Cloud computing itself has become big business in the computer industry, with every big tech company trying to get into the business, most notably Amazon, Google, and Apple.  Dropbox, however goes a step further with their service by making it easier to share files with friends, colleagues, and family.    Have a file that’s too large to email?  Upload it to Dropbox and send an invitation to whomever with a link to download it.  Problem solved.

Dropbox already integrates itself pretty well into Windows by adding a folder to the My Documents library.  What it doesn’t do (yet) is integrate into the Start menu with Documents, Pictures, Computer and the rest.  Those options can be customized – for instance, I always add Network – but Dropbox is not in that customization options menu that Windows provides.

However, if you know just a bit about getting around on your computer, you can “hack” Windows to include it, and you can call it whatever your prefer – Dropbox, My Dropbox, Snoopy, whatever you prefer.

To get started, right-click the Start menu and choose Properties.  Now, on the Start Menu tab click the Customize button.

Now, choose an option that you don’t expect to ever use in the real world, such as Recorded TV “Display as a link” and enable it by clicking the radio button to the left, the choose OK.  This will now display this option directly in the Start menu.

Right-click Recorded TV, choose Rename and then type in whatever you would like to call your new option.  In this I simply used “Dropbox”.

Now right-click again and choose Properties.  On the Library tab click to highlight Recorded TV and then choose Remove.  Now click Include a folder and click your Dropbox folder from the Library.  Under Optimize this library for: ypu may want to change it to Documents or General Items.  Now click Apply and then OK.

This will work for various other items that you may want to add to your Start menu.  It’s a hack, but it works and it’s easy.  If you haven’t tried it out, you can you can visit Dropbox to sign up for a free account.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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As Microsoft has progressed their Windows operating system things have been changed, as is the nature of technological advancement.  For instance, the Windows 7 Start menu is somewhat different from previous versions like Windows XP.  Some of the Start menu items that have disappeared during that span are the Network link and the Run command link.  However, just because they aren’t visible doesn’t mean they aren’t there, some are just hidden away.

In Windows 7 you can easily customize the Start menu to include or remove whatever items you choose.  The Run command is one of the most often asked for features that is no longer seen in a default Windows 7 Start menu.  Of course, there is always a Microsoft keyboard shortcut – you can hit the Windows key and R key at the same time to call up the Run command box, but if you want it back in your Start menu then there is an easy fix.

To get started right-click the Start menu and choose “Properties” and then “Customize” on the “Start Menu” tab.  Scroll down (it’s alphabetical) to the “Run Command” and click the check box to the left.

Click “OK”, then “Apply” and”OK” again.

Now click your Start menu again and you should find the Run command listed in the menu.

You can use these steps to enable or disable other Start menu features with this same method.  This works, not only for Windows 7, but also for Windows Vista.  At least Microsoft didn’t remove these options, just hid them away.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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“Which version of Windows am I using?”  It sounds like such a simple question, but it’s less obvious than one might think.  It’s also something that every Windows user should know the answer to.  But that answer is not as easy to find in Windows as many of you probably think.  The most obvious location would be in Computer properties, but it isn’t there.

If you have right-clicked “Computer” in the Windows Start menu and chosen “Properties” then you know you will get a good overview of your system, including Windows edition (but NOT version), manufacturer, model, rating, processor, RAM, computer name, and a bunch more.  It’s an almost-complete snapshot of your PC.  But, for some reason Microsoft has chosen not to display one basic piece of information here, and that’s the version, or build as it is also known.

To find that information out you will need to access another system information file that is not obvious at all.  Thankfully, this is an easy one – no elite hacker skills involved.   Simply click the Start menu in Windows and in the Search box type “winver” and hit Enter.

You will now be presented with a window that gives you the version number, build, service pack, and a bit more.

This will display the version and edition of Windows that is currently being run.  Each Windows version comes in different editions.  You will also find the service pack number (if any).  In addition it will let you know if you have the 32 or 64-bit version installed.

This should answer most, if not all, questions that users may have about Window editions and versions.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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The Windows Start Menu is quite a useful feature, especially in Windows 7.  However, one thing it lacks is access to the Recycle Bin.  For that, you need to go to your desktop, and if you like a clean desktop, like I do, and keep that hidden and it’s apps available from a “Desktop” menu in the Windows Taskbar, then the Recycle Bin is even less convenient to access.  You may have noticed that the Recycle Bin is not even accessible by searching from the Start Menu.

While you can’t actually add the Recycle Bin in a way that makes it an option like Computer, Pictures, or Music, you can make it be found by a search from the Start Menu.  It’s a fairly simple hack that makes this possible.

To get started click Start => Computer and in the menu bar type “C:\Users\your_user_name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu” and insert your user name in place of “your_user_name”, then hit Enter.

Now right-click in the folder area and choose New => Shortcut.  In the location box enter “explorer.exe shell:RecycleBinFolder”.  Hit Enter and you will be prompted to enter a name for the shortcut.  You can use “Recycle Bin” or whatever you wish.

(You don’t have to perform this step.) Right-click the Recycle Bin shortcut folder and choose Properties.  On the Shortcut tab click Change Icon.  In the “Look for icons in this file” box type “%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll”, hit Enter and then look for the Recycle Bin icon.

Click OK and you are done.  Now when you search for “recycle bin” in the Start Menu search you have a result.  You could even name your shortcut something a little shorter and easier to type like “trash”.

Perhaps in the future Microsoft will make the Recycle Bin a bit more easy to access from various locations, but from what we have seen of Windows 8 that may not be the case, given the vast changes to the interface.  Still, this is a simple hack that almost any user will have no problem following.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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You are probably familiar with the folder icon that is part of the Windows 7 taskbar.  Hovering your mouse over it tells yout that it is called Windows Explorer.  In the old days Windows Explorer launched what “Computer” launches today.  Windows Explorer now launches the new Libraries, which were introduced in Windows 7.  Not everyone has embraced them, but they are now the default like it or not.

You can change the default to the old “My Computer” view with a simple hack.  Before you start, make sure you are logged in to Windows as an Administrator.  That’s required to make any system changes.

To get started do a Shift-Right-Click on the Windows Explorer folder in the Taskbar and choose Properties.

Under the Shortcut tab click in the box next to Target.  Enter the following: explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}.  Now click the OK button.

Now when you click the folder icon in the taskbar it will open to Computer, which is much more useful to many of us who want easy access to drives, mapped drives, and network places.  You can make this open to wherever you want, you’ll just need to do a bit of online research to find what needs to be entered for the location you want it to go to.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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One thing Windows 7 didn’t necessarily do better was the Control Panel.  Many users find it confusing and difficult to find what they are looking for.  The default icons, and the menus under them, only give partial information about what you will find, and clicking an icon can lead to more, and different, options.  It’s all a bit jumbled, and certainly not the best way to display what could be considered the core of the whole operating system.

While we can’t offer a fix for the Control Panel, we can show you a simple way to see a bit more useful, and meaningful, options in it.  For instance, if you want to see or change your mouse settings, it can be found in the default Control Panel setting under Hardware and Sound => Devices and Printers.  The default Control Panel view is known as “Category”.

However, Category is not the only view.  At the top right of of the main Control Panel window next to “View by:” you will find a drop-down list that gives you two other choices besides the Category view.  You can choose Large icons or Small icons.  Obviously both give you the same view, so it’s up to your personal taste about which you select.  Either way, you will get a handy view of the most used apps from Control Panel.

Now that Mouse settings option is right in front of you, not 2 clicks away.  Of course, that’s just one example of the options that are now presented right on the main screen instead of buried within other settings.

In the future we will take a closer look at some these most-used settings and how to optimize them for what you need and want most on your computer.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Remote computer management is not new, IT departments have been doing it for years.  And of course, where IT is involved, Microsoft can be found.  Their InTune software allows for PC management and security in the cloud.  All management tasks are performed from within a web browser, just like managing a headless server.

The new InTune 2.0 features a better UI and adds a few user-requested features, including the ability to deploy software to remote PCs from a cloud storage account.  According to Microsoft’s Eric Main, “Our vision for Windows Intune is big – we want to take the best of the capabilities delivered through our on-premises solutions (like System Center Configuration Manager with Forefront Endpoint Protection, System Center Essentials, Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, and Windows Enterprise management and security features) and enable them through the cloud. Eventually, Windows Intune will deliver more management capabilities than the on-premises solutions but with less cost and higher productivity,”

Current users will automatically be upgraded in the next few weeks and the rollout to all 40 countries where InTune is available should be complete before the end of the year.  You can get a 30 day free trial by visiting Microsoft InTune.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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