Run Command Enabled in the Windows 7 Start Menu
Last Updated on Thursday, 1 December 2011 05:23 Written by Alan Saturday, 17 December 2011 07:00
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.
Which Version of Windows am I Using?
Last Updated on Saturday, 5 November 2011 08:02 Written by Alan Saturday, 19 November 2011 07:00
“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.
Add the Recycle Bin to the Windows 7 Start Menu
Last Updated on Tuesday, 1 November 2011 09:28 Written by Alan Tuesday, 15 November 2011 07:00
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.
