Microsoft Windows: Removing the unremovable applications!

Continuing with the blog series of tweaking Microsoft Windows, i.e. taking most out of your operating system, today we will focus on advance mode of removing applications from Windows.

At times, when we decide to remove an application, we go to Control Panel and open Add or Remove Programs (or Programs and Features, in case of Windows 7) and click on the application we want to remove,  and we successfully remove the application we want to, but in some cases it does not happen! Some kind of error message comes while removing that application. Well we don't need to worry, there are ways by which we can get rid of such applications. One way is using external applications knowns as System Utilities (which we will not discuss here) to remove such applications and other way is using in-built mechanism to do so, the one we are interested in!

Let us get straight to the work, we tried removing application we wish to, but failed in doing so at first attempt. Here is the method how to remove such applications, the method applies to all versions of Microsoft Window operating system.

Follow the steps:

Step #1: Restart your computer.

Step #2: After it shows the initial screen (manufacturer's logo), press F8 (function key). Pressing F8 will direct you to the screen named Windows Advanced Options Menu as shown in picture below. 

Step #3: Now from the list of options available, select the very 1st option, i.e. Safe Mode and press Enter. Computer will take some time to start, so be patient! 

Step #4: Once the Windows screen appears, it will show a screen asking you to select which user to log in, select Administrator (if available), otherwise you will directly shown a message-window named Desktop saying Windows is running in safe mode. Click on Yes.   

Now a limited functionality enabled Desktop will be what your are presented with, don't worry.

Step #5: Follow the typical method to remove the application by going to Control Panel and opening Add or Remove Programs/Programs and Features and selecting application you want to remove. Windows will not disappoint you here, and if it does, follow the path to manually delete the folder containing the files, C:\Program Files\XYZ.  

Once you are done with removing application, Restart your computer to return in normal mode! 

10 must know Windows keyboard shortcuts.

Microsoft took a big step by completely transforming its flagship operating system Window XP to Vista (although not successful) and then fine tuned, ultra-light on memory consumption version Windows 7.

Windows 7 is not all about look and feel, and improved on performance, but Microsoft has put in a lot of efforts in how user can extract more of it. So, today we will look at 10 must know shortcuts keys of Windows 7 which will make our day-to-day work more fun!

1. Alt + P

In Windows Explorer, activate an additional file preview pane to the right side of the window with this new shortcut. This panel is great for previewing images in your photos directory.

2. Windows + + (plus key) and Windows + - (plus minus key)

Pressing the Windows and plus or minus keys activates the Magnifier, which lets you zoom in on the entire desktop or open a rectangular magnifying lens to zoom in and out of parts of your screen. You can customize the Magnifier options to follow your mouse pointer or keyboard cursor. Keep in mind that so far, the Magnifier only works when Aero desktop is enabled.

3.  Windows + UP arrow key and Windows + DOWN arrow key

If a window is not maximized, pressing Windows + Up will fill it to your screen. Windows + Down will minimize that active window. Unfortunately, pressing Windows + Up again while a window is minimized won’t return it to its former state.

4. Windows + RIGHT arrow key and Windows + LEFT arrow key

One of the new features of Windows 7 is the ability to automatically make a window fill up half of your screen by dragging to the left or right. This pair of shortcuts performs the same function without your mouse. Once a window is fixed to one side of the screen, you can repeat the shortcut to flip it to the other side. This is useful if you’re extending a desktop across multiple monitors, which prevents you from executing this trick with a mouse.

5. Windows + Home 

This shortcut performs a similar function to hovering over a window’s peek menu thumbnail in the Taskbar. The active window will stay on your desktop while every other open application is minimized. Pressing this shortcut again will restore all the other windows.

6. Windows + E

Automatically opens up a new Explorer window to show your Libraries folder.

7. Windows + P

Manage your multiple-monitor more efficiently with this handy shortcut. Windows + P opens up a small overlay that lets you configure a second display or projector. You can switch from a single monitor to dual-display in either mirror or extend desktop mode.

8. Windows + Shift + LEFT arrow key and Windows + Shift + RIGHT arrow key

If you are using two or more displays, memorize this shortcut to easily move a window from one screen to the other. The window retains its size and relative position on the new screen, which his useful when working with multiple documents. Utilize that real estate!

9. Windows + [Number]

Programs (and new instances) pinned to your Taskbar can be launched by hitting Windows and the number corresponding to its placement on the Taskbar. Windows + 1, for example, launches the first application, while Windows + 4 will launch the fourth.

10. Windows + Space bar

This combo performs the same function as moving your mouse to the bottom right of the Taskbar. It makes every active window transparent so you can view your desktop. The windows only remain transparent as long as you’re holding down the Windows key.

I Hope this information will enhance your working experience on Windows. Suggestions are welcome! :)

Web Browser Grand Prix: And the winner is....

Now a days, anyone who has access to computer and internet know these names, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari... the list is long. 

As a user, since we are aware of these names, thus we are also aware of the war going on between these major web browsers to grab the maximum no. of computers running them.

Through this blog, we will understand the basic concepts governing these bunch of browsers (without talking about the technicalities) and will understand at what they are best, and which one is right for us. Let us take them one by one.

1. Windows Internet Explorer (IE)

Latest version: Windows Internet Explorer 8 

IE comes preloaded with all the versions of Microsoft Windows, that's why it is the most widely used Web browser in the world, mainly because of the users who don't care about which browser they are using, and even don't give it a thought. 

IE is good for users, who mostly do surfing (browsing) on internet. Because of it's poor add-on or plug-in support, it does not give a pleasant internet experience!  

Pros: 

• Address bar provides autocomplete
• Crash recovery
• Fast startup
• Flexible search option

Cons:

• Lacking download manager
• Heavy to load
• Lacks compatibility with modern web features like CSS, X HTML, HTML 4

2. Google Chrome

Latest Version: Google Chrome 6.0

Google Chrome is world's most famous web browser till date, not because it is widely used, but because it is from Google. Daddy Google claims it be the fastest browser ever. Well, they are right in saying so.

Depending upon your system's specifications Google Chrome really outperform its competitors when it comes to loading web pages, and rendering websites contents as well. But again, the dark side like Windows Internet Explorer is that it also disappoints as a Download Manager. Every now and then Google Chrome finds it hard to completely download the file, we ask it to.

Google Chrome is recommended for users who want to try their hands on something different from IE, and for a speedy experience of internet surfing. It surely will not disappoint you on that front.

Pros:

• Process isolated tabs and add-ons
• Neat page Search
• Excellent bookmarks management
• Drag, drop and rearrange tabs
• Excellent task manager option

Cons:

• Lack of add-ons when compared to the competitors

3. Mozilla Firefox

Latest Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6

If you believe in rankings, Firefox ranked at no. 2 when it comes to user acceptance (my favorite as well). Firefox is one of the most flourishing open-source web browsers of all time and gives pleasant working experience.

 

Firefox offers sooner web browsing, enhanced tab handling, fresh interface tweaks and many other features. And it has really come a long way by regularly updating its features and performance!

Mozilla Firefox is a complete browser in every sense, be it browsing or downloading or plug-in(s) support. You will find thousands of add-ons available for Firefox, which in turn gives a pleasant internet experience! 

Recommended for users who go beyond browsing, and want a stable download management. Also its ocean like add-on(s) support will provide everything from your single web browser window.

Pros:

• Private browser mode
• Open video and audio
• Instant web site id
• Awesome bar
• Built-in spell checker
• Customization

Cons:

• Slow start up

4. Apple Safari

Latest version: Apple Safari 5.0 

Apple claims Safari to be world's fastest web browser. And, actually it beat all of its competitors, if and only if you are using it on Macintosh. However, if you require more than speed, Safari is not your just right choice. Safari concentrates on being trivial and non-flashy unlike other browsers that are more customizable. Hence the sleek interface is not very huge.

Recommended for your user who are using Macintosh as Operating System.

Pros:

• Spell checking for all fields
• Resizable text boxes
• New interface, Enhanced graphics

Cons:

• Lacks extension support
• Lacks smart toolbar

5. Opera 

Latest Version: Opera 10.62

Opera which ranking wise 4th in list of user acceptance, is a complete package for a internet enthusiast. Opera aims at faster browsing, better synchronization and offering modern standards to its users.

This open-source powerhouse (Opera) has all enjoyable and practical features that can make your web journey functional and fun. Further its quicker browser offers faster loading web pages and great at running your preferred web applications. Basics of Opera would include tabbed browsing, mouse-over previews, a customizable search bar, sophisticated bookmarking tools, and easy integration with e-mail and chat client, and an inbuilt torrent support (bit-torrent client) puts a full stop at your need of external application.

Recommended for users who want one set for all solution, i.e. all-in-one. 

Pros:

• Excellent security features
• Interactive voice
• Fast browsing
• Thumbnail previews
• Mouse gestures
• Customizing skins

Cons:

• non user-friendly widgets 

So, here we end at comparing web browsers. It is really difficult to say who is clear winner, because based upon your usage, the browser differs. But, if I really have to pick a winner, the position will be shared by two browsers i.e. Opera for complete offerings and Google Chrome if you want to surf internet fast, really fast!

Servicing your Windows Operating System!

Today's IT (Information Technology) and IT enabled services are integral part of our daily lives. We are so much dependent on them that we can't imagine our self without them. Well, my agenda is not about computer and our daily lives, but it is about the times when we are in hurry to get aways with our (computer) system related works as quickly as possible, and these are the times when we notice that our system is not working the way we want it to, i.e. Windows is taking longer time to startup, applications too are taking longer time to start and close, etc.
To sum-up, its time to fine-tune your Operating System (with reference to Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7). So in this blog we will see different ways to reduce Windows startup time and increasing system's performance as a whole.


Check point #1 - Reducing Windows startup time
Click Start, go to Run, type msconfig and press Enter.
System Configuration Utility window will pop-up.

 

Now go to Startup tab, from the list available you can check/uncheck the services/programs, you want to be started when Windows start, a system restart is required after you apply new settings.

Note that, you can uncheck all the programs, leaving your Antivirus program checked, it will significantly boost your Windows startup time.

Check point #2 - Deleting the temporary files permanently
Click Start, go to Run, type %temp% and press Enter.
It will direct you to a new window, herein select all the files and hit Shift + Del keys from your Keyboard, it will permanently delete these unnecessary files from your system.

Note that, some files will not delete, skip them. Following this check point once in a week is recommended.

Check point #3 - Stopping unwanted services
Every time when Windows starts, it starts with approximately 130 services! We don't need all of these services to be working at the same time, even we don't need some of them to be working at all.
While tweaking some of them you may find it bit technical, so will we take some of general services which we can stop very easily.
Click Start, go to Run, type services.msc and press Enter.
Services window will pop-up.

From the list, find:

1. Smart Card, double-click on it, corresponding window will pop-up. Under General tab, find Startup type; from the drop-down menu select Disabled, then click Apply and OK.  
2. Windows Error Reporting Service (Error Reporting Service, in case you are using Windows XP), double-click on it, corresponding window will pop-up. Under General tab, find Startup type; from the drop-down menu select Disabled, then click Apply and OK. 
3. Windows Update (Automatic Updates, in case you are using Windows XP), double-click on it, corresponding window will pop-up. Under General tab, find Startup type; from the drop-down menu select Disabled, then click Apply and OK.  
4. Terminal Services (only for Windows XP users), double-click on it, corresponding window will pop-up. Under General tab, find Startup type; from the drop-down menu select Disabled, then click Apply and OK.

Try these tips and tricks for yourself and see the difference in performance of your system!