To show file and folder tasks in Windows Explorer

Every Windows folder provides easy access to common file and folder management tasks. When you open any folder on your computer, a list of hyperlinked tasks is displayed next to the folder contents. You can select a file or folder, and then click a task to rename, copy, move, or delete it. You can also send a file in e-mail or publish it to the Web.

By Default Windows do not show Common Tasks in Windows Explorer.

To show Common File and Folder Tasks in Windows Explorer.

1. Click Start, and then Click Run.
2. Type Explorer in Run command box and click the OK button to open Windows Explorer.
3. Click the Close button  in the right corner of the Folders list to show Common File and Folder Tasks.

To make all folder views the same in Windows XP

Windows provides several new ways for you to arrange and identify your files when viewing them in Folders, such as My Documents. When a folder is open, you can access each of the following view options on the View menu.

Show in Groups:

Show in Groups allows you to group your files by any detail of the file, such as name, size, type, or date modified. For example, if you group by file type, image files appear in one group, Microsoft Word files appear in another group, and Excel files in another. Show in Groups is available in the Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, and Details views. To show your files in groups, on the View menu, point to Arrange Icons by, and then click Show in Groups.

Thumbnails:

Thumbnails view displays the images a folder contains on a folder icon so you can quickly identify the contents of the folder. For example, if you store pictures in several different folders, in Thumbnails view, you can tell at a glance which folder contains the pictures you want.

Windows displays up to four images on a folder background, by default. Or, you can choose one picture to identify a folder in Thumbnails view. The complete folder name is displayed under the thumbnail.

Tiles:

Tiles view displays your files and folders as icons. The icons are larger than those in Icon view, and the sort information you select is displayed under the file or folder name. For example, if you sort your files by type, "Microsoft Word document" appears under the file name for a Microsoft Word document.

Filmstrip:

Filmstrip view is available in picture folders. Your pictures appear in a single row of thumbnail images. You can scroll through your pictures using the left and right arrow buttons. If you click a picture, it is displayed as a larger image above the other pictures. To edit, print, or save the image to another folder, double-click the picture.

Icons:

Icons view displays your files and folders as icons. The file name is displayed under the icon; however, sort information is not displayed. In this view you can display your files and folders in groups.

List:

List view displays the contents of a folder as a list of file or folder names preceded by small icons. This view is useful if your folder contains many files and you want to scan the list for a file name. You can sort your files and folders in this view; however, you cannot display your files in groups.

Details:

In Details view, Windows lists the contents of the open folder and provides detailed information about your files, including name, type, size, and date modified. In Details view you can also show your files in groups.

To choose the details you want to display, on the View menu, click Choose Details.

But what if you want to set all folder view setting to Icons or Tiles? You have to open everyfolder and change its setting. But windows XP provide an easy way to change all folder view setting in just 3 steps.

To make all folder views the same

1. Open a folder and select a folder view.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. On the View tab, click Apply to All Folders. and Click the OK button.

Note:

• To reset all folders to the settings that were in effect when Windows XP was installed, click Reset All Folders.

Changing the Defualt program for opening a file

Sometimes you install a software(for example an image viewer) and it get associated with its supported formats automatically. Whenever you open those files (images,pictures etc) they will be opened by the new software you have just installed. But you may like to open them with your old software.

For example you have installed an image viewer/editor like Photo Perfect Express or FastStone Image viewer and it associated with all image types. Whenever you open an image file, it will be opened by above mentioned software's. But suppose you are satisfied with the windows default image viewer like Paint and Windows Picture and Fax viewer and you want to open Picture files always with them NOT with any other software.

Then this tip is for you.

To change the program that opens a file

1. Right-click the file you want to open in a different program, and then click Properties.
2. On the General tab, click Change.
3. Click the name of the program in which you want the file to open.

Notes:

• This change affects all files that have the same file name extension as the file you selected. For example, if you change the program that opens a .jpg file, all .jpg files will open in this program.
• You can also change the program that opens a file by right-clicking the file, clicking Open With, and then clicking the program name. If the program you want is not displayed, click Browse.

Clear/Disable Recent Documents History from Start Menu

Windows keep records of your recently opened documents. You could access your most recently opened documents by clicking the Start>Recent Documents.

Its a good feature if you have to open/edit some files often.

But it could be a privacy threat for you. There are always some files(Pictures, videos,documents etc) that you will never wanted to know some one about it. If you open these files these will be automatically added to the “Recent documents”. and someone could easily find them.

You could disable this feature by doing this:

• Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.

• On the Start Menu tab, click Start menu, and then click Customize.

• On the Advanced tab, uncheck the “List my most recently opened documents” check box.

• The next time you click Start, the My Recent Documents folder will be gone from Start menu.

Note:

To clear Recent documents click On the Advanced tab, click Clear List to empty the My Recent Documents folder. This does not delete the documents from the computer.

Adding a Program at the top of the Start menu

If you use some programs frequently then you should add them at the top of Windows Start Menu for easier and quick access.

To display a program at the top of the Start menu in Windows XP

• Right-click the program you want to display at the top of the Start menu. You can right-click a program on the Start menu, in Windows Explorer, in My Computer, or on the desktop.

• Click Pin to Start menu.
• The program is displayed in the pinned items list in the area above the separator line on the Start menu.

Notes:

• You can remove the program from the pinned items list by right-clicking the program and then clicking Unpin from Start menu.
• You can change the order of the programs on the pinned items list by dragging a program to a new position.
• You cannot pin or unpin items using the Classic Start menu.

Adding "My Computer" to Windows Taskbar for Faster access

If you access different files from your hard drive often then you know what you have to do every time. You have to open my computer then c:/d/ or other drive and then the folder in which file is stored.

What if you could access them without opening my computer?

that’s my today’s tip.

You could access all contents of My computer from your taskbar through a cascading menu.

Here is how:

• Right click on Taskbar and point to Toolbars from Right click menu and then select New Toolbar.. from sub Menu

• Now Create New Toolbar Dialogue box will appear. Select My Computer from it and click the OK button.

• This will create a cascading menu near the Clock, from where you can easily access just about anything on your System.

• Its done.

How to Create a Shortcut on the Desktop

There are always some files which you use most often then others.You always need to open these files/folder by going to their original location.It may frustrate you.

What if you don't need to go to their original location to open them,access that file/folder in just one step

How? By creating a shortcut of that file/folder to your desktop.

Here is the step by step guide to create a shortcut to your desktop

• First go to the location of the file/folder of which you want to create shortcut.

1. Open My Computer.
2. Double-click a drive or folder.

• select the file/folder and right click on it.
• select send to from Right click menu and then desktop(create shortcut)from sub menu.

• Its done.

Now whenever you want to access them just click on its shortcut at your desktop and it will open instantly.

Note:

When you delete a shortcut to an item, the original item is not deleted. It still exists on your computer in its original location.

Changing Windows Star Menu Style

Windows XP has a new Start Menu style, which looks good and easy. But some people still prefer to view/use the Start menu in classic (Win98/2000) style.

Also the new Start Menu look is heavy on system resources and may slow down your PC if you have an old PC.

To change the Start menu style:

• Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.

On the Start Menu tab, click one of the following options:

• To select the style from an earlier version of Windows, click Classic Start menu.
• To revert back to the default Start menu, click Start menu.

• The next time you click Start, the Start menu displays the new style.

• Its done.

Show/Hide Run command from Start Menu

One of our member asked that Run Command is not showing to his Start Menu.

Run Command box is an important part of Operating System. Whether for running applications or Registry editing. For changing startup setting or running Group policy editing. Every software/data present in your PC could be run/opened with Run command box.

In some cases it could be hided by some naughty friend of yours or by some virus infections.

You may want to hide it for protecting your system from someone to change important setting of your PC.

Here is the step by step guide to hide/Show Run Command box from Start Menu.

• Right click on TaskBar to open Taskbar Menu and select Properties to open Taskbar Properties.

• Taskbar Properties window will be opened.Select StartMenu tab and click on Customize.

• Customize Start Menu window will be opened. Select Advanced tab and Check (√) “Run Command” checkbox to show and uncheck it to hide “Run Command”from Start Menu.

• Click on Ok button and its done.

Enabling cookies in internet Explore/Mozilla Firefox

Websites use cookies to offer a personalized experience to users and to gather information about website use. Many websites also use cookies to store information that provides a consistent experience between sections of the site, such as a shopping cart or customized pages. With a trusted website, cookies can enrich your experience by allowing the site to learn your preferences or allowing you to skip having to sign in every time you go to the website. However, some cookies, such as those saved by banner ads, might put your privacy at risk by tracking sites you visit.

If cookies are disabled you will not be able to browse some websites.

To enable cookies in Internet Explorer.

• Run Internet Explorer and Press Alt+T to open Tools menu and select Internet options.

• Now Choose the Privacy tab and drag the slide bar to Medium (recommended) and click the OK button. If you still receive the warning that Cookies are disabled then drag the slide bar down till end to apply accept all cookies setting(not recommended).

To enable cookies in Mozilla Firefox

• Run Mozilla Firefox and Press Alt+T or click on Tools from Firefox Menu Bar and select Options.

• Now Mozilla Firefox Options window will be opened. Select Privacy tab and check the Accept cookies from sites checkbox.

• Click the OK button and its done.

Enabling JavaScript in Internet Explorer/Mozilla Firefox

JavaScript is a scripting language commonly used in WebPages. Many website you visit require JavaScript to be enabled, otherwise you will not be able to browse them.

To enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer.

• Run Internet Explorer and Press Alt+T to open Tools menu and select Internet options.

• Now Choose the Security tab and click on Custom Level button.

• Security setting will be opened.Now scroll down until you find Scripting and select Enable.

• Click the OK button and its done.

To enable JavaScript in Mozilla Firefox

• Run Mozilla Firefox and Press Alt+T or click on Tools from Firefox Menu Bar and select Options.

• Now Mozilla Firefox Options window will be opened. Select Content tab and check the Enable JavaScript box.

• Click the OK button and its done.

How to change Windows XP language

With Regional and Language Options in Control Panel, you can change the format Windows uses to display dates, times, currency amounts, large numbers, and numbers with decimal fractions.

You can also choose from a large number of input languages and text services, such as different keyboard layouts, Input Method Editors, and speech and handwriting recognition programs. When you switch to another input language, some programs offer special features, such as font characters or spelling checkers designed for different languages.

By default, products in the Windows .NET Server family install the files for most input languages supported by Windows. However, if you want to enter or display text in the East Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean) or the complex script and right-to-left languages (Arabic, Armenian, Georgian, Hebrew, the Indic languages, Thai, or Vietnamese), you can install the language files from the Windows CD-ROM or, if applicable, a network.

Each language has a default keyboard layout, but many languages have alternate versions. Even if you do most of your work in one language, you might want to try other layouts. In English, for example, typing letters with accents might be simpler with the U.S.-International layout.

Important Note: This will only change the input format for number, currency, time, and date settings in Windows not The menus and Interface. If you want to chnage Menus/Interface/other setting also please visit the following link

Convert Windows to your Native Language with LIP

To change the Windows XP language

• Click Start and then Click Run.

• Type intl.cpl in Run, and click the OK button to open Windows Regional and Language Options.

• Now if you want to change the language to Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Armenian, Georgian, Hebrew, the Indic languages, Thai, or Vietnamese then you need to install them first. To install these languages Click on the Languages tab.
• There you will see two checkboxes under Supplemental language support.If you want to install Arabic, Armenian, Georgian, Hebrew, the Indic languages, Thai, or Vietnamese tick (√) the first checkbox named Install Files for Complex script and right-to-left languages(including Thai) or if you want to install Chinese, Japanese or Korean than tick (√) the second checkbox named Install files for East Asian languages, Insert the Windows XP Setup Disk and click the apply button. After installation restart the computer and then open the Regional and Language Options again.

• Now select your desired language (for example Urdu) from drop down menu from Regional Options to change the default language format for number, currency, time, and date settings and click the Ok button and its done.

• Now you will see a language Bar/icon in your taskbar near System Tray. English(or any other Default language of Windows) will remain the default language for writing. Whenever you want to type/write something in you own language just press Left Alt+Shift OR select the language from language Bar (as shown below) to switch to your chosen language.

Disable/Enable System Restore in Windows

System Restore is a component of Windows, that you can use to restore your computer to a previous state, if a problem occurs, without losing your personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, drawings, favorites, or e-mail). System Restore monitors changes to the system and some application files, and it automatically creates easily identified restore points. These restore points allow you to revert the system to a previous time. They are created daily and at the time of significant system events (such as when an application or driver is installed). You can also create and name your own restore points at any time.

Why you will need to disable it?

Well, Its a great and important feature of windows, but in some conditions you will need to disable it, such as

• You computer is infected with a virus and you want to remove the virus, but if the System Restore is enabled, the virus cannot be removed completely because System Restore will make a backup of the infected system files in the PC.
• You are running out of Disk space. System Restore takes space in your Hard Drive to make backup of System changes. You can recover free Disk space by Turning System Restore Off.

Now here is the step by step guide to Enable/Disable System Restore.

• Click the Start button and then point to My Computer in Start Menu.
• Right Click on My Computer icon and select properties from right Click menu to open System Properties.

• Now click on the System Restore tab in System Properties to open System Restore Setting.
• If you want to Turn Off System Restore on all drives just Check (√) the box named Turn Off System Restore in the System Restore Properties and click the OK button.

• But if you want to Turn off system Restore to a specific drives (e.g to Drive E only), select the drive from Available drives box and select setting.

• From setting dialogue box Check (√) the Turn off System Restore on this drive checkbox and click the OK button

• If you want to re-enable the System Restore feature of Windows just uncheck the the box named Turn off System Restore in the System Restore Properties and click the OK button.

Disable Windows Error Reporting Service

You can use Windows Error Reporting to report computer problems to Microsoft.

Whenever a running program crash or close unexpectedly the Windows Error reporting tool appear and ask you whether you want to report this error to Microsoft. which is very annoying.

Whenever windows boot, Windows error reporting service loads, cause the slow startup, and also keep running in background and increase the load on your system.

Here is the step by step guide to disable windows error reporting.

1st method:

• Click Start and then Click Run.

• Type services.msc in Run, and click the OK button.

• The services Window will appear. Now double click on “Error Reporting Service”. (as shown in the picture)

• Then select Disabled from Startup Type drop down menu in Error Reporting service properties and click the OK button. (as shown in the picture) and its done.

2nd Method:

• Click start button and then right click on the My Computer icon in Start Menu and select Properties.

• System Properties will be opened.Now click on the Advanced tab and click on the Error Reporting button.

• Now select “Disable Error Reporting” radio button from Error Reporting Dialogue box, and click the OK button.

Its done.

Removing/Restoring Shutdown button in StartMenu

Why you need to enable/Disable Shutdown Features of windows?

• You want to enable the Shutdown Command

Because there are viruses which can disable Windows Shutdown. and you will not be able to Shutdown your Windows PC.

• You want to Disable the Shutdown Command

1. If you have a computer which should be always on. e.g. a Web Server.
2. you want to prevent your Kids/friends/colleagues from shutting down the Windows because you are doing some important Takes, such as virus scanning, Disk Defragmenting, downloading or others, and shutdown can cause these tasks to start from beginning.

I will guide you step by step to Enable/disable Shutdown windows command.

• Click Start and then Click Run.

• Type gpedit.msc in Run, and click the OK button.

• The Group Policy window will open. Now click on the “+” sign of Administrative Templates( or double click) under User configuration in the left columns to expand it(see the image below).

• Then Click/select Start Menu and Taskbar under Administrative Templates(see the image below).

• Now double click on “Remove and prevent access to Shut Down command” to open its properties(see the image below) .

• Now select “Enable” to Remove/Prevent access to Shutdown command and removing shutdown button from start menu OR Select Disabled to enable Shutdown command in windows/shutdown button in start menu, and click the OK button. (as shown in the picture below)

Note: It will only works in Windows 2000/XP PRO, It will not work in XP Home edition.

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