Animate controls and elements inside windows:
Activate windows when minimizing and maximizing: Controls animation effect when min/max a window
Enable Desktop composition: Seems to only effect whether transparency is used on the desktop
Enable transparent glass: Requires desktop composition to be enabled as well, but handles transparency
Fade or slide menus into view: Menu animation effect enable/disable
Fade or slide ToolTips into view:same as above with tooltips
Fade out menu items after clicking:
Show preview and filters in folder:
Show shadows under menus:
Show shadows under mouse pointer:
Show thumbnails instead of icons:
Show translucent selection rectangle: When selecting a group of files, whether there will be a shaded box or just a plain box.
Show window contents while dragging:
Slide open combo boxes:
Slide taskbar buttons:
Smooth edges of screen fonts:
Use background image for each folder type:
Use drop shadows for icon labels on desktop:
Use visual styles on windows and buttons: Without this, you will be left with the 'classic' windows theme.. and then.. why use vista? I would say leave this alone unless you are on a very old computer or dont like the new visual styles
Showing posts with label vista. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vista. Show all posts
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Change Owner of Computer
Are you going to sell your computer to someone else, and do not want to have your personal information stored on it? Well, you have plenty of other steps, but here is how you change the registered owner of the computer.
open the registry edit (start, run, regedit)
navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT] and then to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion]
Change the keys for RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganizationIt's that simple!
open the registry edit (start, run, regedit)
navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT] and then to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion]
Change the keys for RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganizationIt's that simple!
Allow other file extensions to be included in indexing search
It is often that I do searches for text in files, like a method use in a PHP file, or maybe something in a java file. Regardless of the situation, Windows Vista has a very limited number of file extensions flagged for full text searching, which causes you to get 'no results' when you know there are some.
Open Control panel and type in 'indexing' into the search box (or you can do this from your start menu, but many people turn it off).
Select 'Indexing Options'
Select Advanced Button
Select 'File Types' Tab
In this list you will see a list of extensions. When you click on most of them, the bottom radio button will change from 'index properties only' or 'index properties and file contents'
Honestly, index properties only is pretty useless for what most people will use search for (i.e. really only search by date).
Uncheck a box to have it removed from search. This can be done for a variety of extensions that honestly, you dont want in search anyway. It will actually help your results.
Change the radio button to 'index properties and file contents' to have these file types included in your searches (should be set for word docs, etc and any other text-based files you search for)
Open Control panel and type in 'indexing' into the search box (or you can do this from your start menu, but many people turn it off).
Select 'Indexing Options'
Select Advanced Button
Select 'File Types' Tab
In this list you will see a list of extensions. When you click on most of them, the bottom radio button will change from 'index properties only' or 'index properties and file contents'
Honestly, index properties only is pretty useless for what most people will use search for (i.e. really only search by date).
Uncheck a box to have it removed from search. This can be done for a variety of extensions that honestly, you dont want in search anyway. It will actually help your results.
Change the radio button to 'index properties and file contents' to have these file types included in your searches (should be set for word docs, etc and any other text-based files you search for)
Tweak Indexing Options for Better Performance
The indexing service is responsible for two things really: Making search boxes run super quickly (like under the control panel, and your program files) which is a blessing, as it does run very fast. It is also responsible for doing the same thing over all your files that you choose to let it index. This can be good if you do a lot of searches, or bad if you have a lot of files in these areas, but don't ever search them. Or even if you do search them, it can cause your indexing service to cause a lot of strain on your hard drive (or at least slow you down as it is hard drive intensive). I personnaly would not turn *off* Indexing services, but I would recommend disabling for everything else but the start menu/control panel, etc.You can change the indexing locations:
Open Control panel and type in 'indexing' into the search box (or you can do this from your start menu, but many people turn it off).
Select 'Indexing Options'
Select Modify Button
Expand the trees, and uncheck any areas you do not want indexed. It is a pain, as you get no indication which trees have subtrees checked, but the best place to start is Users/*your user name*/ and Users/Public.
Open Control panel and type in 'indexing' into the search box (or you can do this from your start menu, but many people turn it off).
Select 'Indexing Options'
Select Modify Button
Expand the trees, and uncheck any areas you do not want indexed. It is a pain, as you get no indication which trees have subtrees checked, but the best place to start is Users/*your user name*/ and Users/Public.
Minimize Windows as Thumbnails on Desktop Instead of Taskbar using miniMIZE
"miniMIZE" is a small utility which puts all minimized applications on Desktop as thumbnails. So whenever you minimize a window, it gets minimized on Desktop as a small thumbnail.
You can double-click on the thumbnail to restore the window. Its a cool desktop enhancement utility.
You can also change various options using its settings like:
Start miniMIZE at Windows startup
Show icon in system tray
Hide or unhide taskbar buttons
Desktop Thumbnails size
Opacity level
Thumbnails position on Desktop
Hotkeys
Exclusions List
You can download this small utility from following link:
Download miniMIZE
You can double-click on the thumbnail to restore the window. Its a cool desktop enhancement utility.
You can also change various options using its settings like:
Start miniMIZE at Windows startup
Show icon in system tray
Hide or unhide taskbar buttons
Desktop Thumbnails size
Opacity level
Thumbnails position on Desktop
Hotkeys
Exclusions List
You can download this small utility from following link:
Download miniMIZE
PS: Although the site says it only works for Windows XP but we have checked and it works on Vista as well.
How To Retain Transparency even after maximizing a window
When you maximize a window in Vista, the transparency gets lost in the window as well as in taskbar. At the AeroXP forum a hacked aero.msstyles file has been posted, which can enable the transparency in maximized windows also. Here are the instructions :
You have to patch 3 files to allow windows to use 3rd party themes. Download this file from Anti-TGTSoft . And follow the instructions mentioned therein.
Now download this file, and replace your existing C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\ Aero\aero.msstyles file with the downloaded file. Thats it ! It might be a nice idea, however, to preserve your original aero.msstyles file on another location.
You can also try True Transparency from CrystalXP.
You have to patch 3 files to allow windows to use 3rd party themes. Download this file from Anti-TGTSoft . And follow the instructions mentioned therein.
Now download this file, and replace your existing C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\ Aero\aero.msstyles file with the downloaded file. Thats it ! It might be a nice idea, however, to preserve your original aero.msstyles file on another location.
You can also try True Transparency from CrystalXP.
Get Windows 7 look-a-like Windows Media Player in Windows XP and Vista
As you know Windows 7 contains Windows Media Player 12 which looks like as above
Now if you want to enjoy the same media player in Windows XP or Vista, then this article will help you.
We are going to share 2 skins with you: one for WMP11 in XP and other for WMP 11 in Vista. These skins can make the WMP 11 under XP and Vista to look like WMP12 of Windows 7.
You can download the required skins using following links:
Download Windows 7 Skin for WMP11 under Windows XP
Download Windows 7 Skin for WMP11 under Windows Vista
All required instructions are mentioned in the downloaded ZIP files.
We are going to share 2 skins with you: one for WMP11 in XP and other for WMP 11 in Vista. These skins can make the WMP 11 under XP and Vista to look like WMP12 of Windows 7.
You can download the required skins using following links:
Download Windows 7 Skin for WMP11 under Windows XP
Download Windows 7 Skin for WMP11 under Windows Vista
All required instructions are mentioned in the downloaded ZIP files.
How to kill Vista's explorer.exe in 3 clicks.
The usual way of terminating the explorer process is through the Task manager. Rt-Click taskbar > Task manager > Process Tab > Rt Click explorer.exe > End Process.
But Vista actually offers you a faster way to do it ... in 3 clicks !
Click Start button > Hold down Ctrl+Shift & Right Click on empty area in the Start Menu > Click "Exit Explorer".
To re-start it, you will have to do so as usual through the Task Manager. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Star Task Manager or press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Then launch explorer.exe manually.
But Vista actually offers you a faster way to do it ... in 3 clicks !
Click Start button > Hold down Ctrl+Shift & Right Click on empty area in the Start Menu > Click "Exit Explorer".
To re-start it, you will have to do so as usual through the Task Manager. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Star Task Manager or press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Then launch explorer.exe manually.
How To Show Window Titles in Vista's Explorer.
In XP, one had the Explorer and also IE showing the Window titles. However, this feature has been done away with, probably due to redundancy. But you still get to see it in IE7....
...But not in Vista's Explorer...
But you can if you wish, show such title's in Vista's Explorer too. Download and use AeroBar. Its a small utility which does the job. Just make sure that your Aero is 'on'.
To install it and have it startup with your Vista, place the file AeroBar.exe in your StartUp folder and reboot.To uninstall it, just remove this file AeroBar.exe from your StartUp folder and reboot.
...But not in Vista's Explorer...
But you can if you wish, show such title's in Vista's Explorer too. Download and use AeroBar. Its a small utility which does the job. Just make sure that your Aero is 'on'.
To install it and have it startup with your Vista, place the file AeroBar.exe in your StartUp folder and reboot.To uninstall it, just remove this file AeroBar.exe from your StartUp folder and reboot.
Re-Size Explorers Icons easily In Vista.
In Windows Vista Explorer, you can use the Views button on the toolbar to change the size of icons, from small to extra large, by clicking on the specified options, or by scrolling on the up / down arrow in the slider.
Alternatively, you can simply hold down the Ctrl key and use your mouse scroll wheel to resize the icons from small to extra large.
Alternatively, you can simply hold down the Ctrl key and use your mouse scroll wheel to resize the icons from small to extra large.
How To access the hidden classic menu bar in Vista's Explorer in a click.
You can always make Windows Vista Explorer show the Menu Bar as follows:
Organize > Layout > Check Menu Bar.
But should you have it as unchecked, and should you wish to temporarily show this classic menu bar, you can do so by simply clicking the 'Alt' key to make it appear !
Organize > Layout > Check Menu Bar.
But should you have it as unchecked, and should you wish to temporarily show this classic menu bar, you can do so by simply clicking the 'Alt' key to make it appear !
Dead Links Of System Folders On Vista Start Menu.
If you find that the links to Pictures or Music or Documents in the Windows Vista Start Menu, are dead or not working , do the following to correct the problem:
If your Music link is not working,
Rt click on the Start Menu Pictures link > Properties > Location > Put C:\Users\Owner\Pictures > Apply > OK.
Here C is the System Drive and Owner is User Name
Similarly, if your Music link is not working, insertC:\Users\Owner\Music
And if your Documents link is not working, insertC:\Users\Owner\Documents.
If your Music link is not working,
Rt click on the Start Menu Pictures link > Properties > Location > Put C:\Users\Owner\Pictures > Apply > OK.
Here C is the System Drive and Owner is User Name
Similarly, if your Music link is not working, insertC:\Users\Owner\Music
And if your Documents link is not working, insertC:\Users\Owner\Documents.
Windows Explorer Error: "Class Not Registered"
If when you try to start Explorer you get the error message Windows Explorer Error: "Class not registered" then you may need to re-register ExplorerFrame.dll .
To do so, Start > Click Run & type:
regsvr32 ExplorerFrame.dll
Click OK.
If it doesn't help, then its quite possible that your ExplorerFrame.dll may have been corrupted and that you may have to be replace it with a 'good' one.
System Restore would be an option to consider or else search for its 'Previous Versions' through the Files Properties Box.
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These Links May Interest You:Show Hidden Files and Folders in Folder option is Missing in VistaVista Tips & Tricks From WinVista Club Forum Members How To Resize un-resizable windows in VistaMake Taskbar Appear ONLY when Win Key is pressedDead Links Of System Folders On Vista Start Menu.Use an image as a background for a folder in Windows Vista Explorer.Make your Start Menu User Picture Rotate. How To access the hidden classic menu bar in Vista's Explorer in a click.Re-Size Vista Explorer Icons easily.How To Show Window Titles in Vista's Explorer.Disable Breadcrumb Bar in Vista's Explorer.How to kill Vista's explorer.exe in 3 clicks.How To Retain Transparency even after maximizing a windowReduce Thick Borders of Explorer in Vista
To do so, Start > Click Run & type:
regsvr32 ExplorerFrame.dll
Click OK.
If it doesn't help, then its quite possible that your ExplorerFrame.dll may have been corrupted and that you may have to be replace it with a 'good' one.
System Restore would be an option to consider or else search for its 'Previous Versions' through the Files Properties Box.
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These Links May Interest You:Show Hidden Files and Folders in Folder option is Missing in VistaVista Tips & Tricks From WinVista Club Forum Members How To Resize un-resizable windows in VistaMake Taskbar Appear ONLY when Win Key is pressedDead Links Of System Folders On Vista Start Menu.Use an image as a background for a folder in Windows Vista Explorer.Make your Start Menu User Picture Rotate. How To access the hidden classic menu bar in Vista's Explorer in a click.Re-Size Vista Explorer Icons easily.How To Show Window Titles in Vista's Explorer.Disable Breadcrumb Bar in Vista's Explorer.How to kill Vista's explorer.exe in 3 clicks.How To Retain Transparency even after maximizing a windowReduce Thick Borders of Explorer in Vista
Make Taskbar Appear ONLY when Win Key is pressed.
If you don't like the Taskbar to appear on your desktop all the time, you have probably set it to auto hide, through the taskbar properties box.
And to make it appear, when you want it to, you then have to move your cursor to the bottom of the screen or to your taskbar area.
But you can set it so, that it will appear ONLY when you press the Win Key.
To do so, download and use this 202 KB nifty utility called PushToShow.
Doesn't require an install.
And to make it appear, when you want it to, you then have to move your cursor to the bottom of the screen or to your taskbar area.
But you can set it so, that it will appear ONLY when you press the Win Key.
To do so, download and use this 202 KB nifty utility called PushToShow.
Doesn't require an install.
All windows in Vista have thick borders. Transparency shows off quite well on them.
Windows has several dialog boxes and windows which cannot be resized, unlike most, which can be, by simply, moving the cursor to the edge or corner of the window. However some cannot be resized !
But you can use ResizeEnable to do it. It sits in the background and attaches itself into Windows via three 'Hooks'. The first hook is so that it can see which windows are created/destroyed, in which it attempts to alter the window's style so that it can be resized. The second hook intercepts all messages for every single window to see if it is a message associated with resizing a window that it has previously altered the style of. The third hook spots whether the mouse has been pressed in the 'sizing area' of a window and takes care of doing all the work of resizing the window.
An un-resizable window:
After resizing an otherwise un-resizable window :
But you can use ResizeEnable to do it. It sits in the background and attaches itself into Windows via three 'Hooks'. The first hook is so that it can see which windows are created/destroyed, in which it attempts to alter the window's style so that it can be resized. The second hook intercepts all messages for every single window to see if it is a message associated with resizing a window that it has previously altered the style of. The third hook spots whether the mouse has been pressed in the 'sizing area' of a window and takes care of doing all the work of resizing the window.
An un-resizable window:
After resizing an otherwise un-resizable window :
How To Reduce Thick Borders of Explorer in Vista.
All windows in Vista have thick borders. Transparency shows off quite well on them.
But if you don't like such thick borders, and would like to reduce or trim them, rt-click on Desktop and open select Personalize. Click on Windows Color & Appearance. Here click on Open Classic Appearance Properties.
In the new dialog box select Advanced. Again a new dialog box will open.
Here from the "Item' drop down menu, select Border Padding. Change the default value from 4 to say, 1.
But if you don't like such thick borders, and would like to reduce or trim them, rt-click on Desktop and open select Personalize. Click on Windows Color & Appearance. Here click on Open Classic Appearance Properties.
In the new dialog box select Advanced. Again a new dialog box will open.
Here from the "Item' drop down menu, select Border Padding. Change the default value from 4 to say, 1.
Make use of BreadCrumb Bars 'Copy Address' to Create Shortcuts of 'Buried Folders'.
In the BreadCrumb Trail Bar of Vista's Explorer, if you rt click in the Address bar on a folder name, a context menu appears which includes:
Copy AddressCopy Address As TextEdit Address command
The last one, viz 'Edit Address' command, just duplicates the effect of clicking in an unoccupied part of the Address bar, and is thus, in a way, well, redundant
The next one is of some use !
'Copy Address As Text' creates a text string of the path. You can use it to paste it into any text receiving application like Notepad, Word, etc.
However the first one is rather useful.
The 'Copy Address' also does the same thing by allowing you to paste the path in such documents or emails.
But it does more !
First, it also lets you copy the entire contents of the current folder into another location, such as the Desktop !
It even lets you create a shortcut of that folder, anywhere, easily ! In fact with it, you can create shortcuts of deeply buried 'folders', that are not part of the Windows file system, like the Control Panel applets !
Rt click on the folder and select 'Copy Address. Then go to Desktop. To Copy entire contents of the folder, select Paste. To create just its shortcut, select 'Paste Shortcut'
Sure you can also Rt click on the applets to create shortcuts too ! But this one lets you create shortcuts of some, which you otherwise could not have !
Lets take an example. To create a shortcut of say, 'Manage Network Connections'.
Open Control Panel > Network And Internet > Network And Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections
A window will open which will have the path as Control Panel\Network And Internet\Network Connections Rt click on it > Copy Address. Next rt click on the desktop, and choose Paste Shortcut.
And you will have created its shortcut on the desktop. You can do so for several such more !
Copy AddressCopy Address As TextEdit Address command
The last one, viz 'Edit Address' command, just duplicates the effect of clicking in an unoccupied part of the Address bar, and is thus, in a way, well, redundant
The next one is of some use !
'Copy Address As Text' creates a text string of the path. You can use it to paste it into any text receiving application like Notepad, Word, etc.
However the first one is rather useful.
The 'Copy Address' also does the same thing by allowing you to paste the path in such documents or emails.
But it does more !
First, it also lets you copy the entire contents of the current folder into another location, such as the Desktop !
It even lets you create a shortcut of that folder, anywhere, easily ! In fact with it, you can create shortcuts of deeply buried 'folders', that are not part of the Windows file system, like the Control Panel applets !
Rt click on the folder and select 'Copy Address. Then go to Desktop. To Copy entire contents of the folder, select Paste. To create just its shortcut, select 'Paste Shortcut'
Sure you can also Rt click on the applets to create shortcuts too ! But this one lets you create shortcuts of some, which you otherwise could not have !
Lets take an example. To create a shortcut of say, 'Manage Network Connections'.
Open Control Panel > Network And Internet > Network And Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections
A window will open which will have the path as Control Panel\Network And Internet\Network Connections Rt click on it > Copy Address. Next rt click on the desktop, and choose Paste Shortcut.
And you will have created its shortcut on the desktop. You can do so for several such more !
Windows Vista Explorer Crashes Or Freezes Frequently.
If your Explorer.exe crashes / restarts frequently, and / or if you get the message:
Windows Explorer has stopped working
Windows Explorer is restarting
Here are some troubleshooting steps you may want to try. Quite possibly its one of your installed programs which may be interfering with the smooth functioning of explorer.exe. You may have to try them all. Hopefully one should help you. If an option doesn't help you, don't forget to restore it back to its default, where applicable & possible.
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Windows Vista Explorer Crashes Or Freezes Frequently.
If your Explorer.exe crashes / restarts frequently, and / or if you get the message:
Windows Explorer has stopped working
Windows Explorer is restarting
Here are some troubleshooting steps you may want to try. Quite possibly its one of your installed programs which may be interfering with the smooth functioning of explorer.exe. You may have to try them all. Hopefully one should help you. If an option doesn't help you, don't forget to restore it back to its default, where applicable & possible.
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1) First and foremost ensure that your Vista is updated and scan your computer for virus and spyware. Follow it up with a Registry Cleaner run. CCleaner is a safe and good freeware.
2) Run ChkDsk.
3) See if you a System Restore makes the problem go away.
4) Disable the Preview Pane in Explorer and see if it helps. To disable the Preview Pane, click Organize > Layout > Preview Pane.
5) Disable UAC and see if it helps.
6) Disable DEP or NoExecute Protection. Do note that Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. Harmful programs can try to attack Windows by attempting to run (also known as execute) code from system memory locations reserved for Windows and other authorized programs. These types of attacks can harm your programs and files. DEP can help protect your computer by monitoring your programs to make sure that they use system memory safely. If DEP notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it closes the program and notifies you. It is as such a security feature. Type cmd in Vista's search bar. Rt click on search results 'cmd' and click on Run as Administrator. Then copy paste
bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff
and hit enter. Reboot. This has been known to help in some earlier versions of Vista.
7) Open Explorer. Click Organize > Folder & Search Options > View > Advanced Settings > check 'Launch folder windows in a separate process' > Apply > OK.
8) Check if you have installed any helpers or add-ons to your explorer. Uninstall them. Often, even 3rd party shell extensions can cause Explorer to crash on particular actions. Several programs add items to the right click context menu. Download freeware utility ShellExView.
It will let you view & disable suspect 3rd party shell extensions. Using Trial & Error method, you may to disable / enable the extensions to try and identify if any of them are causing a problem. ShellExView can be also be used for solving contextmenu problems in Explorer, like, say, if the Right-click is slow.
9) Type wercon in your Start Menu Search bar and hit enter to open the Problem Reports & Solutions Center. In RHS panel click on View Problem History and navigate to where the problems for Explorer.exe may be mentioned. Double click on the report to open it and see if anything there helps you.
Also see if KB930092 and KB931702 pertaining to Vista Explorer crashes apply to you. You may also wish to open a Support Request at Microsoft.
Windows Explorer has stopped working
Windows Explorer is restarting
Here are some troubleshooting steps you may want to try. Quite possibly its one of your installed programs which may be interfering with the smooth functioning of explorer.exe. You may have to try them all. Hopefully one should help you. If an option doesn't help you, don't forget to restore it back to its default, where applicable & possible.
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Windows Vista Explorer Crashes Or Freezes Frequently.
If your Explorer.exe crashes / restarts frequently, and / or if you get the message:
Windows Explorer has stopped working
Windows Explorer is restarting
Here are some troubleshooting steps you may want to try. Quite possibly its one of your installed programs which may be interfering with the smooth functioning of explorer.exe. You may have to try them all. Hopefully one should help you. If an option doesn't help you, don't forget to restore it back to its default, where applicable & possible.
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1) First and foremost ensure that your Vista is updated and scan your computer for virus and spyware. Follow it up with a Registry Cleaner run. CCleaner is a safe and good freeware.
2) Run ChkDsk.
3) See if you a System Restore makes the problem go away.
4) Disable the Preview Pane in Explorer and see if it helps. To disable the Preview Pane, click Organize > Layout > Preview Pane.
5) Disable UAC and see if it helps.
6) Disable DEP or NoExecute Protection. Do note that Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. Harmful programs can try to attack Windows by attempting to run (also known as execute) code from system memory locations reserved for Windows and other authorized programs. These types of attacks can harm your programs and files. DEP can help protect your computer by monitoring your programs to make sure that they use system memory safely. If DEP notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it closes the program and notifies you. It is as such a security feature. Type cmd in Vista's search bar. Rt click on search results 'cmd' and click on Run as Administrator. Then copy paste
bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff
and hit enter. Reboot. This has been known to help in some earlier versions of Vista.
7) Open Explorer. Click Organize > Folder & Search Options > View > Advanced Settings > check 'Launch folder windows in a separate process' > Apply > OK.
8) Check if you have installed any helpers or add-ons to your explorer. Uninstall them. Often, even 3rd party shell extensions can cause Explorer to crash on particular actions. Several programs add items to the right click context menu. Download freeware utility ShellExView.
It will let you view & disable suspect 3rd party shell extensions. Using Trial & Error method, you may to disable / enable the extensions to try and identify if any of them are causing a problem. ShellExView can be also be used for solving contextmenu problems in Explorer, like, say, if the Right-click is slow.
9) Type wercon in your Start Menu Search bar and hit enter to open the Problem Reports & Solutions Center. In RHS panel click on View Problem History and navigate to where the problems for Explorer.exe may be mentioned. Double click on the report to open it and see if anything there helps you.
Also see if KB930092 and KB931702 pertaining to Vista Explorer crashes apply to you. You may also wish to open a Support Request at Microsoft.
How to display your Preferred Folders in Vista's Start Menu.
On the RHS part of the Windows Vista Start Menu, you have the option of displaying User, Documents, Games, Music & Pictures Folders. While the first 3 are commonly use, most find little use for the last two folders; and would instead like to replace them with their oft accessed folders like Downloads or any other.
Well, in Vista too, you can replace the Music & Pictures Folders with the folders of your choice.
To do so, first, disable showing of, of the Pictures Folder & Music Folder, through Properties > Start Menu > Customize > Don't display this item/s.
Next download the following vbs scripts FOR XP from Kellys-Korner. These scripts are for XP, but can be made to work for Vista too.
Replace Pictures FolderReplace Music Folder
Click on the script and Run it.
Now, enter the path of the desired folder in the space provided. Click OK. Reboot.
Now click open the Start Menu > Rt Click > Properties > Start menu > Customize > Display this item/s > Apply > OK
Your Vista Start Menu will display the desired folders for easy access !
This way you can change the paths of these two positions to show any folders; including, back, the Default folders, should you wish to reverse the changes.
To manually make the changes, open Registry Editor. Be careful when you touch the registry & do create a system restore point first.
Log in as Administrator. In Vista start menu search type regedit and hit enter and navigate to following key/s:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My MusicHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Music
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My PicturesHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Pictures
Against it, in RHS col, you will see, NOT their default paths, but the new one's you have inserted.Double click on, say, My Music to open its Edit String box. Here replace the new (existing) path, as string in Value Data box, with the old (your) default folder path. Work similarly for Pictures folder. Click OK, Reboot. This way you will have reversed the changes.
Well, in Vista too, you can replace the Music & Pictures Folders with the folders of your choice.
To do so, first, disable showing of, of the Pictures Folder & Music Folder, through Properties > Start Menu > Customize > Don't display this item/s.
Next download the following vbs scripts FOR XP from Kellys-Korner. These scripts are for XP, but can be made to work for Vista too.
Replace Pictures FolderReplace Music Folder
Click on the script and Run it.
Now, enter the path of the desired folder in the space provided. Click OK. Reboot.
Now click open the Start Menu > Rt Click > Properties > Start menu > Customize > Display this item/s > Apply > OK
Your Vista Start Menu will display the desired folders for easy access !
This way you can change the paths of these two positions to show any folders; including, back, the Default folders, should you wish to reverse the changes.
To manually make the changes, open Registry Editor. Be careful when you touch the registry & do create a system restore point first.
Log in as Administrator. In Vista start menu search type regedit and hit enter and navigate to following key/s:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My MusicHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Music
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My PicturesHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Pictures
Against it, in RHS col, you will see, NOT their default paths, but the new one's you have inserted.Double click on, say, My Music to open its Edit String box. Here replace the new (existing) path, as string in Value Data box, with the old (your) default folder path. Work similarly for Pictures folder. Click OK, Reboot. This way you will have reversed the changes.
How To Add Your Own Folders To The Places Bar Or Favorite Links.
Whenever you create a new file, open a new file or save a new file, you are presented with a File Dialog Box, where you can save the files. On its LHS are mentioned standard locations or places like Desktop, Computers, Pictures, etc, which are easily accessible. This is called as the Places Bar or the Favourites Links in Vista.
You can with this tip, add your desired custom shortcuts to Open and Save dialog boxes in Vista.
Open Explorer and navigate to folder C:\Users\Owner\Links, where, Owner is Your Name. Rt click in the window pane and choose New > Create Shortcut. Paste the path of the folder, which you are desirous of adding > Next > Give Shortcut a Name > Finish. Your Places Box will now show the custom desired places ! WinVistaClub / Downloads have been added this way, below.
There are other ways too for doing this.
1) Open Registry Editor and navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\comdlg32\Placesbar
Rt click on the Place0 in RHS pane and click on Modify. Add the desired folder path in Value Data and click OK. Do so similarly for other places.
2) The places bar can also be changed using Group Policy. To do so, Type gpedit.msc in Start
Search Bar and hit enter. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer > Common Open File Dialog > Items Displayed In Places Bar.
Click on Display Properties, to open its Dialog Box. Select Configured, and add the folder paths in the boxes provided. Click Apply > OK.
In Vista, this policy change setting will apply only to applications that are using the XP style common dialog box and not to the new Vista common dialog box style!
Alternatively, there are various small applications which are also available, the PlacesBar Editor being one where you can customize Vista as well as Office Dialog Places. Some other freeware are Shell Places Bar Editor, PlaceBar Constructor, & PlacesBar Tweaker.
You can with this tip, add your desired custom shortcuts to Open and Save dialog boxes in Vista.
Open Explorer and navigate to folder C:\Users\Owner\Links, where, Owner is Your Name. Rt click in the window pane and choose New > Create Shortcut. Paste the path of the folder, which you are desirous of adding > Next > Give Shortcut a Name > Finish. Your Places Box will now show the custom desired places ! WinVistaClub / Downloads have been added this way, below.
There are other ways too for doing this.
1) Open Registry Editor and navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\comdlg32\Placesbar
Rt click on the Place0 in RHS pane and click on Modify. Add the desired folder path in Value Data and click OK. Do so similarly for other places.
2) The places bar can also be changed using Group Policy. To do so, Type gpedit.msc in Start
Search Bar and hit enter. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer > Common Open File Dialog > Items Displayed In Places Bar.
Click on Display Properties, to open its Dialog Box. Select Configured, and add the folder paths in the boxes provided. Click Apply > OK.
In Vista, this policy change setting will apply only to applications that are using the XP style common dialog box and not to the new Vista common dialog box style!
Alternatively, there are various small applications which are also available, the PlacesBar Editor being one where you can customize Vista as well as Office Dialog Places. Some other freeware are Shell Places Bar Editor, PlaceBar Constructor, & PlacesBar Tweaker.
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