Hack Windows 7 to Display Dropbox in the Start Menu
Last Updated on Sunday, 4 December 2011 02:37 Written by Alan Monday, 19 December 2011 07:00
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.
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.
