Blog Learner » Windows Tips

How to Hide Hard-Disk Partitions in Windows Without Any Software

Admin — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:18:05 +0000

Every one of us want to hide some thing special from everyone specially from computer users who shares same computer. But unfortunately there is no such feature in windows expect hide files and folders but this is such a common way that every one knows and can unhide the files at any time. Another annoying thing with hide files and folders is this that you have to hide each file and folder manually every-time so if you want to hide large amount of data then this will be really hard for you.

So what if you want to hide a full hard drive. Well there is an easy way to hide a full hard drive with out any software. Just right click on My Computer icon on your Desktop and Select Manage from menu. A new window will open, Double click on Disk Management link at the bottom of the list. You will see your hard disk partitions on the right side of the window. Just Right click on the partition you want to hide and select Change Drive Letter and Paths from menu. Now just click Remove button and then click OK button. Some times you need to Restart your windows in order to hide partition.

So what if you want to unhide the same partition you just hide. well same procedure as mention above, right click on My Computer icon on your Desktop and Select Manage from menu. A new window will open, Double click on Disk Management link at the bottom of the list. You will see your hard disk partitions on the right side of the window. Just Right click on the partition you want to hide and select Change Drive Letter and Paths from menu. This time Click on Add button instead of Remove and assign the same drive letter or which one is empty and then click Ok button. Congratulation you have successfully unhide the partition.

Put your System into Hibernation Mode in one Click

Admin — Sun, 15 May 2011 06:44:51 +0000

In Pakistan with the recent power failure conditions it is very necessary to save your data and windows allows one cool feature that can save your data and save your laptop battery is called hibernation mode. On your laptop its very necessary to set your power button settings to set as hibernation mode so that when your laptop battery dries out your laptop will save data from your Ram to your Hard-drive for future. This way you can save data and all the programs will remain running next time you start your computer.

In desktop systems you can always create a shortcut to quickly send your system into Hibernation Mode. Simply right click on empty space on desktop and select New and select Shortcut from menu. A new window will open then simply copy paste the statement below into the box and click Next.

C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll, SetSuspendState 0,1,0

Now give the shortcut a meaningful name like “Hibernate Computer” and click Finnish button. You can also change the icon of the short cut by right clicking on shortcut and select shortcut Tab and then Change Icon button.

Speedup Slow System Startup

Admin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:22:51 +0000

If you have a very modern PC with latest equipment but your system is running very slowly than their is some serious problem to your system. The main thing which is causing your system to perform slowly is Virus. So run an anti-virus and anti-malware to clear your system of any virus or malware that might be obstructing the system’s performance. In addition, use Ccleaner a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool to get rid of unnecessary files consuming files consuming hard disk space of your PC; this would allow windows to run at a faster speed.

Often, when you buy a system pre-installed with windows Vista, you find program which you did not order or might not use in future. These applications include, but are not limited to, drivers and software’s. It’s a good idea to uninstall unwanted programs because they slow operating system at boot time. To disable unwanted start-up items in Windows, enter “msconfig” in the run box. In the system configuration windows that appears, click the start-up applications that you don’t want to automatically load every time you start your PC. Check with Sysinfo.org for more information on start-up items and what items are safe to disable. After unchecking, click ”OK and restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

How to share PTCL EVO 3G Nitro Internet with other Computers

Admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:52:51 +0000

Many people have ask me that we can share any DSL between more than one computer through any switch but what about 3G internet device like PTCL EVO 3G Nitro, Wi-Tribe USB Dongle, World Call Wireless USB and Wateen. These devices are very popular now a days because they are plug and play and require no power to run and hence you can carry them in your pocket what ever place you want to go. But the main problem is that you can only connect these devices to one computer at a time. So who we share 3G internet to multiple computers.

The solution is you have to buy a 3G Wireless router in order to use your 3G internet to multiple computers and devices. The one i recommend you is a Alternate Gear’s USB NetShare v.2 3G wireless router which is tailor made for 3G internet sharing. All you have to do is to plug in the 3G USB device into the WAN port of 3G wireless router and just power on the router. This router has 4 LAN ports which means that you can connect 4 computers with cable and also have wireless connectivity which means that you can connect 256 computers and devices wirelessly. The price of this 3G router is bit high considering other wireless routers but its worth it. It comes with the price tag of Rupees 5,200/- only in Pakistan but you can also buy this at a discount price of Rupees 4,200/- only in Lahore.

Buy NetGear USB NetShare v.2 from Official Website.

Buy NetGear USB NetShare v.2 at Discount price here.

How to Make Windows Faster(without any software).

Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:25:08 +0000

1. Disable Startup Programs.

If you are using windows for a long time then its tend to be slow quit regularly specially windows start-up. When you install a program it updates registry and add a link to start-up directory to load it when windows start. It is quit useful but it also slows windows start-up. To remove the programs from start-up menu Click Start then click Run. Run Dialog appears write msconfig in the dialog box and hit enter. System Configuration Utility appears with different tabs on it.

Click on start-up tab to view its settings. For faster start-up click on Disable All Button to disable all the start-up programs. It will not effect windows at all but speeds up windows start-up as there is no program in the start-up. Then Click Apply and Restart your Computer.

2. Disable windows visual Effects.

Another ways to make windows faster is to disable windows visual effects. For this right click on My Computer icon on your Desktop and click properties. This will open System properties Dialog-box like one below.

Then click on Advanced Tab to view its properties. Click on Settings button to view Windows Visual Effects dialog as shown below.

Now for best performance click on Adjust for best performance as shown in picture. This will disable all the visual effects in windows Xp. Click apply and you are done.

Protect Computer from viruses without using AntiVirus.

Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:20:38 +0000

Yes you can protect your computer from viruses without using any antivirus at all. This sounds tricky but its very simple. Now a days most of the viruses are come through USB’s. Every time we connect USB to our system we scan it for viruses with the help of antivirus. This could be quite expensive and time consuming as well. But not everyone knows that viruses can’t be activated unless you double click open your USB through My Computer or open it when Autorun dialog box appears when you connect USB to your system. Viruses activated from usb with the help of a file named “AUTORUN.inf”

So what are the options left to open USB drive. There is another way to open USb Drive and it’s Safe too. Always open USB drive using MY Computer and then go to the Address bar type your USb drive letter or select from a list shown below.

Now that you open USB it doesn’t mean that virus is removed from USB. It’s still in USB so now we have to remove virus and file “AUTORUN.inf“. Most of the viruses are hidden so first we have to unhide the settings in Folder Options. To do this open Folder Options from Control Panel or from open My Computer-> menu-> Tools-> Folder Options. Folder Options dialog box appears. Click on View tab as shown below. Then select option Show hidden files and folders as shown below and unselect check box of Hide protected Operating system files(Recommended). Now Click Apply and then Click OK button.

Now delete files Which are hidden and file named “AUTORUN.inf“. This will remove any virus found in the USB and its files.

Windows XP ShortCut Keys.

Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:10:18 +0000

Tired of using your old bulky mouse or you are on your way with your laptop and don’t have you mouse with you then you may want to know all the shortcuts to use you computer with a mouse.

General keyboard shortcuts

CTRL+C (Copy)
CTRL+X (Cut)
CTRL+V (Paste)
CTRL+Z (Undo)
DELETE (Delete)
SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
F2 key (Rename the selected item)
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)

CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
CTRL+A (Select all)
F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
F5 key (Update the active window)
BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
ESC (Cancel the current task)
SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself when you move the focus to another control.

CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
TAB (Move forward through the options)
SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
F1 key (Display Help)
F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts

Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

END (Display the bottom of the active window)
HOME (Display the top of the active window)
NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation

CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
CTRL+W (Close the current window)

Change Windows ToolTip Colour.

Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:00:22 +0000

Are you still using your old fashion blue style theme for your windows XP, then its time to change the world. Want to change the default Windows Tool-tip color with some cool one as shown below.

Then right click on your desktop and from a drop down menu choose properties as shown below.

This opens the windows Display properties dialog box. Now click on Appearance tab as shown below. Then right click on your desktop and from a drop down menu choose properties as shown below.

After this click on Advanced button as shown below.

This will open Advanced Appearance Dialog box. Choose Tooltip from drop down menu as shown below.

Now select any two colours of your choice as shown below and Enjoy.

Image behind Windows Explorer Tool bar.

Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:39:32 +0000

One of the coolest trick in Windows XP is image behind the windows explorer tool bar. Click Start button and then click run. This will open run dialog box. Type Regedit in the run dialog box it will open Registry Editor. First of all you need a Bitmap(.bmp) image and its path where it is stored on your computer. Try something easy e.g c:\myimage.bmp etc.

In Registry Editor click on plus sign(+) of HKEY_CURRENT_USER on the left side of the editor. It will expand the tree. Now click on Software plus sign then Microsoft plus sign and then click on Internet explorer plus sign. Now click on Tool bar not on the plus sign as we are going to add registry value in it.

Now right click on the right side of the editor and select New String Value as shown below.

Now name the new string value to Backbitmap as shown below.

Now double click on new value it will open a new dialog box enter the path of your bitmap image you want to show behind windows explorer tool bar as shown below then click ok. Close all explorer windows and open again to enjoy the result as shown above.

Remove Recycle Bin Icon from Windows Desktop.

Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:16:00 +0000

In windows you can remove or customize every icon on your desktop but it seems no option for removing Recycle Bin icon from desktop. but if there is a will there is a way. Just Download files from here. After downloading unzip the files.

There are two files in the folder one is to hide the Recycle Bin icon and another is to unhide the icon. Double on Hideben.reg it will ask you that you are sure you want to add information to the registry. Click on yes it says you that infromation has been added. Now Refresh your desktop and there we go no Recycle Bin icon on the desktop Enjoy.