5. WINDOWS XP / VISTA / 7
Check the stability of your Windows
system
Unnecessary system crashes should not
stop your work.
Windows has a few tools which monitor and
analyze the order of events as well as the system condition. This helps in
early detection of a problem and thus an early rectification. A starting point
for an early detection of problems is thus the 'System integrity report' that
is to be found in the Control Panel.
You can make the tool directly available
simply by entering a direct command 'perfmon /report' in the search field of
the start menu. Those, who click classically go to the 'System and security' in
the Control Panel and in the 'Maintenance centre'. Now, you will see a
reference to the left stating 'Display historical information' and 'Other
tools'. Now, with a click of a mouse below you can go to 'Create system
integrity report'. A small one-minute survey will now start for the system as
the basis of the report.
Once the report is ready it does not really
matter as to how have you initiated the report creation. You first need to
check the warnings displayed to the upper side of the window and the basic
system properties. In the 'Detailed diagnosis' screen you will be able to see
that there is a faulty system service in our system and that the security
centre has missed offering a virus protection. You will get advice for every
warning stating the way to deal with the problem and ways to remove it, for
instance, re-start the service and install an anti-virus program or deactivate
the check in the security center for an unrecognized product.
The lower sections that can be opened by
clicking on the respective bars offer a detailed analysis of the system for
specialists. For instance, you will find the 'Autorun programs' under the
'Software configuration' or the currently running memory hog for your
installation under 'Working memory' and 'Processing'.
6. Windows Vista / 7
Find quick help for unmanageable
applications
It isn't always easy to know where to
turn for help.
A
simple list of contact numbers and websites that will always be within reach.
If you have installed several programs and
tools, you could create a list of links to the respective manufacturers' help
pages for quick future reference. In the Control Panel, you can activate this
list of links by clicking on 'Programs and Features' in the Control Panel. Make
sure the list of programs is set to the 'Details' view and then right-click on
the header bar. Select the command 'More' in the context menu and then activate
the option 'Help link' in the following dialog to display the new column.
Moreover, here you can also select the
option 'Support link'. If needed, the link can be clicked to take you directly
to the support website for the respective program. Most often these websites
are in English but in all cases they offer adequate help when required to. Most
of the times, the 'Support number' option is localized, but the telephone
number available is not applicable or convenient for all programs. Now, confirm
your selection with an 'OK' if you wish to update the entries immediately in
all the columns.
7. Windows Xp / Vista / 7
Display particular Wi-Fi keys once again
You require the network key for
connecting a new mobile device with the home wireless network.
This
tool should only be used to reveal the passwords of networks you are authorized
to use.
You need the password created for the Wi-Fi
but it is complex and difficult to remember. It is annoying to call up the IP
address of the router like 192.168.2.1 in the browser and log in to check it
each time.
This whole task becomes quite smooth with
the help of a free tool called WirelessKeyView. You can download this program
from www.nirsoft.net. First, extract the ZIP archive in any desired folder. And
then you can immediately start 'WirelessKeyView. exe' without any further
installation. However, you must authorize the process carried out by the tool
for your security software—this is because the request for a key is taken as a
security threat by the system.
Then, the list displays all the Wi-Fi
networks that were previously used by you on this computer, as well as their
keys. By chance, if there is an additional old connection —like of Windows
XP—then the key will give you a hint about it. The key is encrypted in a long
string and cannot be converted back using common tools. However, it can be used
even in this form in many devices and applications.
The access in Windows 7 is proven to be a
bit difficult. Here, you need to go to the command 'File | Advanced Options'.
Then activate the option 'Use code injection method' and confirm this with
'OK'. The request is thus processed even here.
NOTE: Use this tool exclusively for your
own Wi-Fi network—reading the key from a different computer is considered to be
an offense. However, the program cannot crack your neighbor's Wi-Fi simply by
detecting its signal; instead it shows only the keys that are already saved on
your computer because they have been authorized in the past.
8. Win Dows Vista / 7
File selection in Windows Explorer
An easier way to select multiple files.
The
trick designed for touchscreens is just as useful with a keyboard and mouse.
If you wish to select several files at a
time in the Explorer then keep the [Ctrl] key pressed while clicking. However,
it is easy to make an incorrect selection or release the [Ctrl] key by mistake
or also press another key. If you are afraid that you might have to begin all
over again.
If you wish to try and use this method then
click on 'Organize' option in the Explorer and then on 'Folder and search
options'. Go to the 'View' tab. Now here, for the advanced settings search for
the option 'Use checkboxes for selecting objects' and activate it. Confirm this
change by pressing 'OK'. The setting can be brought to immediate effect without
having to restart the system.
Explorer now displays checkboxes only when
the mouse pointer hovers over an entry. This is how files and folders can be
selected simultaneously with a mouse click without having to remember to keep
some additional button pressed. Of course, the known method continues to
function in the same way such that you can use either of the methods that is best
suitable for you. The checkbox that is always visible in the upper region next
to 'Name' helps in making an additional selection of all the elements just like
with the key combination [Ctrl] + [A],
