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! :)