Tutorial For Computer Tips & Tricks

how to stop windows update in windows 10 permanently

2020-05-13T17:15:00.000+05:30

Windows Update:

Windows update is a feature allows windows operating system to download important system updates from Microsoft. Windows updates of your client computer retrieves new updates from the Microsoft Update server through internet. This is known as Windows server Update Service

Windows Update is tool used to manage software updates on your computer running on windows 10. Windows update features allows the users to download important system updates form Microsoft. A user who has Administrator privileges or Administrator can check for new software updates, install new updates, modify the updates, review the updates that are already installed and review the hidden updates through Control Panel.

➤Configure or view the Update:
To configure or view the Windows Update, click Start → Settings → update & Security.

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If you use "ClassicShell" [Used to make 'Windows 10' Start Menu look like 'Windows 7' Start Menu] then, Start → PC settings → Update & Security.

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➤Uninstall the Windows Update:
1) Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features.
[If "ClassicShell' installed in your 'Windows 10' PC]

Click Start → Windows System → Control Panel → Programs [View by: Category] → Programs and Features.

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2) Then 'Program and Features' window will come. → Click at 'View installed updates'

3) here you will see the all intalled update Windows files. → Right click on 'Windows update file' [Which you want to uninstall] → Click 'Uninstall'

➤To stop Windows Update permanently:
1) Press 'Windows' + 'R' key from keyboard → The 'Run' command window will come → Write down the 'services.msc' in the 'Run' command box → Then click 'OK' button.

Then 'Services' window will come → Select the 'Window Update'.

Double click on 'Windows Update' → 'Windows Update Properties' will come → Select 'General' tab → At 'Startup type:' select 'Disabled' → click 'Apply' → Then click 'OK' button → Close the 'Services' window.

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2) Again press 'Windows' + 'R' key from keyboard → The 'Run' command window will come → Write down the 'gpedit.msc' in the 'Run' command box → Then click 'OK' button.

Then 'Local Group Policy Editor' window will come → Select or expand 'User Configuration' → Expand 'Administrative Templates' → Click at 'All Settings' → Select 'Windows Automatic Updates' from right pane.

Then double click on 'Windows Automatic Updates' → 'Windows Automatic Update' window will come → Select 'Disabled' → Click 'Apply' → Click 'OK' button.

3) Then click at 'System' folder → Select 'Windows automatic Updates' from the right pane.

Then double click on 'Windows Automatic Updates' → 'Windows Automatic Update' window will come → Select 'Disabled' → Click 'Apply' → Click 'OK' button.

3) Then select 'Windows Components' folder → Select 'Windows Update' folder from the right pane.

Double click on 'Windows Update' folder → Double click on "Do not display 'Install Updates and Shut Down' option in sh..."

Then select 'Enable' option → Click at 'Apply' → Click 'OK' button.

Again double click on " Do not adjust default option to 'Install Updates and Shut Do..."

Then select 'Enable' option → Click at 'Apply' → Click 'OK' button.

Now close the 'Local Group Policy Editor' window.

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how to set parental control in windows 7

2020-05-08T11:49:00.001+05:30

➤Parental Control:

The Parental Control helps you to decide how other users want to use your PC. For example you can block access to a particular game, websites and programs by configuring parental control. You can set time limit in hours that another user can use the computer through parental control utility.

To set up a parental control you need an administrator account. Before applying parental control to a user, you have to make sure that the account on which you want to set up parental control is a standard user account. A parental control can be applied only to standard users.

When children are using the PC, you may restrict the kind of website they visit and the kind of games and programs they use. You can thus control children's PC usage through parental control.

There are three main settings in the parental control console.

⏩Restricting logon hours (Time Limit): This facility in parental control can be used to decide for how much duration the other user can access your PC. We can set time limits on user access on web. Time limit prevents users to continue on the web after the specified hours.

If the children are using computer for a long time unnecessarily, then you can limit that usage by setting the time limit without them knowing through parental control. After the allocated time limit, the PC will log off automatically.

You can decide what time of a day is good for the child to use PC using parental control feature.

⏩Controlling access to games: Parental control allows you to control access to games. We can block the unrated games using parental control feature. You can decide what games your kid want to play on your system based on game rating.

⏩Control specific programs: We can prevent children from running some specific programs, which you do not want them to run.

⏩Restricting access to websites: We can make sure that the children only visit appropriate websites by setting parental control over websites. To restrict a particular websites, you need to apply a windows filter on your PC. For that you have to install 'Windows Live Family Safety' which is a part of the 'Windows Live Essential Suit'. Using this software you can restrict certain websites.

⏩Monitoring user activities: Advanced parental control allows you to choose monitor activity for some or all users of a computer. This allows you to record every keystroke typed by that particular user and list of websites that the child user visited. 'Web live Family Safety' software allows you to find out which peoples your kid can contact online through 'Messenger' and 'Hotmail' through activity report.

➽Hands on Practical -1 [Restricting logon hours (Time Limit)]:

[Parental controls are not applicable for the administrator and the members of administrator's user. Please note that, when you do this work your Windows PC login as Administrator]
1) Click 'Start' → Control Panel → User Account and Family Safety → Parental Control.
[N.B. - This steps will apply when 'View by' 'Category' is selected.]

Click 'Start' → Control Panel → Parental Control.
[N.B. - This steps will apply when 'View by' 'Small icons' or 'Large icons' is selected.]

Then the parental control window will come.

2) Select the standard user account on which you want to restrict logon hours. (here standard user account is 'Test'.)

Please note that, if the system asks for administrator password, enter the password to continue the process.

3) Click on 'Time limits'
[Please note that, parental control is 'on' mode. If not, click on 'on, enforce current settings']

4) You can set different logon hours for each and every day of the week by selecting the 'squares'.

Click 'Ok' button.

5) Again click 'Ok'

➽Hands on Practical -2 [Block games using parental control]:
1) Click 'Start' → Control Panel → User Account and Family Safety → Parental Control.

2) Select the standard user account on which you want to restricted to play the games. (here standard user account is 'Test'.)

3) Click on 'Games' link

[Please note that, parental control is 'on' mode. If not, click on 'on, enforce current settings']

Then Game control window appears.

4) Select the 'Yes' option from 'Can test play game' option.

5) Select 'Set game ratings' option to get the list of game ratings. you can completely block all games or you can block some specific games.

6) You can set the game ratings for each game.

Or you can also block the games based on the contents that each games have.

7) You can block the games based on their name also. To do so, go to 'Block or Allow specific games' link.

8) You can select 'User rating settings' for each game to block or allow based on user rating. You can select the option accordingly and click 'Ok'

➽Hands on Practical -3 [Block specific programs through parental control]:
1) Click 'Start' → Control Panel → User Account and Family Safety → Parental Control.

2) Select the standard user account on which you want to block specific program. (here standard user account is 'Test'.)

3) Click on 'Allow and block specific programs' link

[Please note that, parental control is 'on' mode. If not, click on 'on, enforce current settings']

4) Then select 'Child can only use the programs that I allow'. You can allow all programs to your child user by selecting the option 'Child can use all programs'.

5) When you select 'Child can only use the program that I allow', the application restriction window appears.

Here you can select the program for block the user (here 'Test') to used that program. Or click 'Browse' to add program for block that program.

6) Click 'Ok'

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Creating Application Control Policies in windows 7

2020-05-06T16:46:00.000+05:30

Like Software Restriction Policies, AppLocker policies are aslo used to block specific applications on a computer. We can apply this policy to all future version of the product, which are already blocked by the AppLocker. AppLocker Policies also known as Application Control Policies. AppLocker feature is available only in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of the product.

To run AppLocker policies [For 'Windows 7' Pc]:

1) Click 'Start' → Control Panel → System and Security → Administrative Tools → Local Security Policy → Application Control Policies.

[This steps apply on 'View by' 'Category']

Click 'Start' → Control Panel → Administrative Tools → Local Security Policy → Application Control Policies.

[This steps apply on 'View by' 'Large icons' or 'Small icons']

2) Expand 'Application Control Policies'.
3) Double click on 'AppLocker'.

Different rules under AppLocker are:

➤Executable Rules: This rule can apply only to .exe and .com file types. The default executable rules are path rules that allow everyone to execute all the application in the program file folder and Windows folder. The default rule also allows the user who has administrator rights to execute applications in any location on the computer.

➤Windows Installer Rules: Applicable for .msi and .msp file extensions. This rule blocks or allows software installation on your Computer. The default Windows Installer rule allows everyone to use digitally signed Windows Installer files and allows local Administrator user to run all .msi or .msp file. The default Windows Installer rule allows installation of any software and software updates through group policy.

➤Script Rules: Applicable for .ps1, .bat, .cmd, .vbs, and .js files. The default script rule allows the execution of all scripts located in the Program file folder and Windows folder and allows local Administrator to execute scripts in any location.

➤DLL Rule: Applicable for library files which have .dll and .ocx file extensions. Dll rules are not enabled by default in Windows 7. To enable the DLL rule, right click on AppLocker node → Then 'AppLocker Properties' window will come. → Click at 'Advanced' tab → Click at 'Enable the DLL rule collection' check box. → Apply → Ok.

⏩Hand on Practical-
[Perform the activity "To restrict an application through gpedit".]

1) Write down "gpedit.msc" from 'Run' Command window. [Press 'Windows' + 'R' key from keyboard → Write down "gpedit.msc" in the 'Run' command box → Press 'Ok' button.]

2) Then 'Local group Policy Editor' window will come.

3)Expand 'User Configuration' from left pane of 'Local Group Policy Editor'.

4) Expand 'Administrative Template' node under 'User configuration' and select 'System' node.

5) From the right pane of the window, double click on 'Don't run specified Windows application'.

6) Then 'Don't run specified Windows applications' dialog box will come. → Select 'Enabled' option to restrict Windows applications and then click 'Show' button.

7) Click 'Add' button and then type executable file name of the program that you want to restrict user from running. For example if you want to restrict a user from running Calculator application, type 'calc.exe'.

Click 'Ok' to apply the changes made.

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how to merge two audio files

2020-05-04T12:24:00.001+05:30

Do you want to get some of Audio (mp3) files merged altogether such that when you play the merged file later, the initial song will be played first followed the succeeding ones?

Users generally prefer using some third party applications to do this; but you can execute this task, simply by using the 'Command prompt' interface in 'Windows'.

the procedure is simple as it takes the help of a single command line & just few handy seconds to get executed. At the end, you,ll have a unique, enlarged mp3 file comprising of all your mp3s in a sequence that you want.

Here we'll merge two .mp3 files.

Steps:

1) Create a New folder anywhere on your drive, say "Big mp3" in the D: drive.
2)Move any two .mp3 files, which you want to merge, in the recently made "Big mp3" folder. rename those mp3 files as 1.mp3 and 2.mp3. By renaming like this, you'll get 1.mp3 first followed by 2.mp3 in the output merged file.
You can also reverse a naming to get the reverse sequence of the files in the output merged file.
3) Holding the 'Shift' key from keyboard and right click on the "Big mp3" folder. → You will now see a new menu option 'Open Command Window here'. → Click on it.

4) The 'Command Prompt' window will now open at the "Big mp3" folder path. Now, enter the following code in the 'Command Prompt' :

copy /b *.mp3 Merged.mp3

The /b parameter in the command ensures that the files are copied in the binary format. The asterisk (*) plays a wildcard here and selects all the mp3 file present in a directory alphanumerically.
You can also add mp3 files individually. To do so, type the file-names separated by the '+' symbol in the copy command.

copy /b 1.mp3 + 2.mp3 Merged.mp3

Now navigate to the "Big mp3" folder on the D: drive, you will see a large new mp3 file named "Merged.mp3". This single file contains both the 1.mp3 and 2.mp3 files.

While at times, it may take longer to use the command line for the purpose of merging mp3 files, but it is something that is always available if you are working on a Windows Personal Computer.

Notes:
1) While using the command 'copy /b *.mp3 Merged.mp3', it is possible to limit the selection of mp3 files by adding letters or numbers to the command, e.g. a*.mp3 in the command will join all mp3s starting with the letters.
2) if step three (3) doesn't work on your Personal Computer, migrate to the "Big mp3" folder in the 'Command Prompt' window by following the steps as shown below and then input 'copy' command.
[Press 'Windows' + 'R' key from keyboard → Then 'Run' command box will come → Write down 'CMD' in the 'Run' command box → Press 'Ok' → Then 'Command Prompt' window will come → Write down the code:
a) Type 'd:' (without '') in the 'Command Prompt' window to migrate to D: drive.
b) now type 'cd Big mp3' to draft to the "Big mp3" folder.

The copy command can be inputted in another way to get your merged file at preferred location:

The time-code may get corrupted; mean that, though the size of the merged output file containing all the input files is enlarged, the output file may show the duration or playing time of the inputted first file only.

So when the Media Player plays the outputted Audio/Video file, don't be in the delusion that the file consists of only inputted first file.
You can also merge files having following extensions:
*.txt, *.html, *.mpeg, *.mpg, *.flv, *.vlc, *.avi (sometimes) etc.
you may try this procedure on other file-formats too.

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Hide Files behind the Pictures

2020-05-02T08:02:00.001+05:30

This is a perfect way to conceal single or multiple files within an JPEG Picture file but the precondition is that the file(s) must be in a .zip or .rar archive or if it isn't, you must zip or rar it using 'WinRAR' or any other secondary file-compression application.

Ingredients:
a) A single and simple command line.
b) A good quality .jpg image (Here name: 'Bird.jpg')
c) Zipped/Rared private files (Here zip file name: 'Personal.zip')

Steps:

1) You can also use the default 'Compressed (zipped) Folder' option in 'Windows' to zip the files [Select all your private files at once → Right click on any of the selected files → Select the 'Send to' option from the context menu → Click on the 'Compressed (zipped) Folder' option then.]

Then four files are compressed into '.zip' file. Then give the file name like : 'Personal'. Then you can delete your four simple files.

2) keep the archive ('Personal.zip') and the JPEG image ('Bird.jpg') that you want to use for hiding the files to the folder ('Test' folder) of your choice.
See the screenshot below : The archive "Personal.zip" containing some top-secret files and the image "Bird.jpg" are kept in the "Test" folder of the E: drive.

3) Launch 'Command Prompt' & using DOS commands, navigate to that folder (here: "Test") [Press 'Windows' + 'R' key from keyboard → write down : 'cmd' → Click at 'Ok' button.]

Use extended context menu to open 'Command Prompt' at that folder (here: "Test"). [holding the 'Shift' key, right click on the 'Test' folder → Click on 'Open command window here' option present on the menu (may work only on 'Windows Vista' and up.]

Once there, input the copy command:

copy /b some-file.jpg + some-archive.zip New.jpg

Where,
New.jpg → Final image file that will hold the archived Personal files.
For hiding the archive, "Personal.zip" within "Bird.jpg", the command to be inputted will be:

copy /b "Bird.jpg" + Personal.zip Bird2.jpg

[Here "Bird2.jpg" is final image file that will hold the archived Personal file.]
Please note that, "Bird.jpg" in the command is enclosed with in "" as it contains white-space.
Press 'Enter' to execute the command.
You will now get a message in the 'Command Prompt' that "1 file(s) copied". Close the 'Command Prompt'. It is done now.

Now navigate to the folder (here: "Test") and have a look at the newly born image file.

When you open it, it gets opened just like any normal JPEG picture.
You may open the "Bird2.jpg" as a thumbnail inside the folder or in a Photo-editing /Photo-viewing Software and it will be difficult even for anyone to make out that the modified photo is different from the standard one.

To unhide the archive within the image file, follow the below steps:
Steps:
a) To access the hidden zipped/rared file, change the extension of "Bird2.jpg" to the extension of the archive file (in this case: .zip) and access it with "WinRAR". I recommend using "WinRAR" only as other file compression system may show the zipped file as corrupt sometimes.
b) Restore the file's extension to jpg after accessing archived files.
[To rename the extension, use 'WinRAR' or make sure that 'Hide extensions for known file types' option is unchecked in the 'View' tab of the 'Folder Options'. Run 'control folders' (without '') to open 'Folder Option'. Then double click on newly created jpg file (here: Bird2.jpg. Follow the screenshot bellow:].

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c) Open "Bird2.jpg" with 'WinRAR' directly. [Right click on "Bird2.jpg" → Select 'Open with' from the context menu → Select 'WinRAR' → You will see original files.]

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Notes:
1) Please note that, for these process you have to installed the 'WinRAR' in your personal Computer.
2) Sometimes the outputted "Bird2.jpg" file gets corrupted but still you may be able to access your archived personal files. In this trick with any other .jpg image file.
3)You may try to hide the archive inside .pdf, .avi, .bmp, .png etc. files. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
4) Sometimes you may be able to conceal your personal file(s) within the JPEG image even without archiving.
5) The archive gets corrupted sometimes once you rotate the modified JPEG file in a standard image-viewer.

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How to hide your files and folders

2020-05-01T05:19:00.000+05:30

Steps:

1) First of all, its better to keep all the personal files in a single folder on a separate drive (Please don't mixed them with system drive). Give a cunning name for the personal folder; something like "MSOCache" or "ServerLog" will go. Here folder name is "ServerLog".

2) Open 'Command Prompt' [Press 'Windows' + 'R' key from keyboard → 'Run' command window will come → Write down : 'cmd' in the 'Run' command box. → Click 'Ok' button → 'Command Prompt' window will come] and type:

attrib +r +a +s +h "Path of the folder\*" /s /d

[please note that after write down the command press Enter key (↲) from keyboard].

For a folder named 'ServerLog' in the E: drive, the command would be:

attrib +r +a +s +h "E:\ServerLog\*" /s /d

Result:

All the contents of the 'ServerLog' folder will be hidden now. But the above command may not hide the folder itself.

To hide the folder itself, input the following command:

attrib +r +a +s +h "Path of the folder"

For a folder named "ServerLog" in the E: drive, command would be:

attrib +r +a +s +h "E:\ServerLog"

Similarly for hiding a file, the command to be inputted will be:

attrib +r +a +s +h "Path of the File"

If File name is 'Book.docx' and Path of File is: "E:\Book.docx", then command is :

attrib +r +a +s +h "E:\Book.docx"

Even if someone searches for the concealed file/the concealed folder and its contents, anywhere on your Personal Computer, he/she surely won't get to it.

In this case, if any suspicious user tries to search "Book.docx" or the "ServerLog" folder on your Personal Computer, he is surely not get to it.

No search result for 'Book.docx'

No search result for 'ServerLog' folder

Unhide the File and Folder:
To access the folder and its contents you have to unhide them. To do so replace the '+' with '-' in the attrib commands.

attrib -r -a -s -h "Path of the folder\*" /s /d

attrib -r -a -s -h "Path of the folder"

If path is "E:\ServerLog", then commands are :

attrib -r -a -s -h "E:\ServerLog\*" /s /d

attrib -r -a -s -h "ServerLog"

Similarly to unhide a file, the command will be:

attrib -r -a -s -h "Path of the file"

If 'Book.docx' file path is "E:\Book.docx", then the comman is:

attrib -r -a -s -h "E:\Book.docx"

No need to carry out unhiding the folder and its contents or unhiding the file, if you know the path.
Just type the path of the file/folder in the 'Address Bar' of the 'Explorer' window and it will get opened.

But the inputted path do gets stored sometimes in the 'Address Bar' history (See the screenshot below).

To delete the 'Address Bar' history, right click on the empty area of the 'Address Bar' and select the 'Delete History' option from the popped-up menu.
Please note that the address/path within the 'Address Bar' doesn't get highlighted or the 'Delete History option won't get displayed in the menu.

Notes:
1) The attrib command thus allows you to change the properties associated with file/folder.

2) Files/Folders accessed by you get stored as shortcuts in the "History" and "Recent" folder. Sometimes your super-hidden files and folders may be seen in Search results too due to this.
So run recent or 'shell:recent' (to open 'Recent' folder) and 'shell:History' (to open "History" folder) via "Run" and clear these auto-saved shortcuts.
3) If you are on 'Windows 7' and up , do also clear your recently accessed files from the 'Jump List' menu (Right click the program's icon on the 'Taskbar'. You will see the list of recently or frequently opened items, tasks etc. → To remove an item from the list, right click on the item, and then click 'Remove from this list' option).
4) Make sure that either one/both of the below mentioned settings is made in the 'Folder Option, or your super-hidden files and folders will be both easily visible and accessible:
a) Checked 'Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)' option.
b) Checked 'Don't show hidden files, folders or drives' option
(Run 'control folders' (without ' ') via 'Run' to open 'Folder Options' dialog).

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Secret Transparent Folders

2020-04-29T20:19:00.000+05:30

Here I reveal a humble, handy trick, which will make your folder invisible. See, how I make a folder named "Student" totally unseen here.

Steps:

1) Right click on the "Student" folder → Click at 'Properties'.

Then 'Student Properties' dialog box will come. → Click at 'Customize' tab. → The current folder icon will be shown → Click at 'Change Icon...' button.

Then you will see 'Change Icon for Student Folder' dialog box. → Scroll the bottom horizontal Scroll Bar till you see some free area called transparent icons in the Dialog box. → Select any of the transparent icon → Click at 'Ok' button.
Follow the picture below:

'Change Icon for Student Folder' dialog box

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Transparent icons present in the 'Change icon for Student Folder' dialog box

Then click on 'Apply' in the 'Student Properties' dialog box → Click at 'ok' button.

Preliminary Result:

Transparent 'Student' Folder

Now, we should hide the folder name as well, i.e. "Student" here.

2) Select the "Student" folder. Press the 'F2' Function key from keyboard to rename it. → Press 'Alt' + '255' or 'Alt' + '0160', '255' or '0160' from NumPad on the right side of the keyboard → Press 'Enter' key from keyboard. [You won't actually see those '0160' or '255' numbers while typing them. Just make sure to hold down the 'Alt' key while typing the '255' or '0160'.

Ultimate Result:

Notes:
1) no. '255' or '0160' should be selected from NumPad only. This trick won't work if you press nos., given on the top of the alphabetic characters of the keyboard.

2) What if you want to create another transparent folder in the same directory ?.
For this, again select any of the transparent icons as your folder-icon and type '0160' or '255' two times while naming the folder each time holding the 'Alt' key. That's it.
3) You may not be able to input '255' or '0160' easily while holding 'Alt' while renaming, if 'Mouse Keys', 'Sticky Keys' etc. Features are turned-on on your Personal Computer.
4) Remember that not every keyboard has a numeric keypad although there is usually a way of temporarily making a set of keys on the normal keyboard behave as if they were the numeric keypad.

Visible the Folder again:
Steps:
1) Right click on secret transparent folder ('Student' folder) → Click at 'Properties'.

Then 'Properties' window will come → Select the 'Customize' tab → Click at 'Change Icon' button. → Select the 'Folder' icon picture → Click at 'Ok' button. → Click at 'Apply' button → Then click at 'Ok' button.

Then the Folder will look like this:

2) Then select the folder → Press 'F2' key from keyboard → Then write down the folder name like: 'Student'.

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Customize the send to menu in Windows 10, 8, 7

2020-04-28T10:42:00.000+05:30

➤How to add Folders to 'Send to' menu:

'Send to' : A pretty useful tool for directly sending file(s)/folder(s) to the Pen-drive that you have just plugged in instead of performing that historical 'Ctrl' + 'C' and 'Ctrl' + 'V'.

You can also use the 'Send to' menu to:

1) Create a zipped archive of the selected file(s)/folder(s).

2) Create shortcut of selected file(s)/folder(s) on the 'Desktop'.

3) Send file(s) as an attachment via default e-mail client.

4) Send file(s) to a Fax recipient and Bluetooth devices.

You can easily customize the 'Send to' option.

.Steps:

1) At first create a new folder on 'Desktop' and give the name like: My Locker.

2)Now press 'Windows' + 'R' key from keyboard. → Then 'Run' command window will come → In the 'Run' command box, write down: shell:sendto → Click on 'ok'

3) Then 'Send to' folder will open → Right click in the free area of the 'send to' folder → Click at 'New' → Then select 'Shortcut'.

Then 'Shortcut' window will come. → Click on 'Browse..' button.

Then 'Browse For Files and Folders' Window will come → Select the New folder (My Locker) which created on Desktop. → Click at 'Ok' button.

Please note that the 'Desktop new folder (My Locker) location is: C:\Users\{User Name}\Desktop\My Locker

Here target folder (My Locker) location is:

C:\Users\KOUSHIK\Desktop\My Locker

[User name is: KOUSHIK].

Then click at 'Next' button → Click at 'Finish' button.

↓

Now 'My Locker' shortcut folder created in 'Send to' folder. →Then close the 'Send to' folder.

4) Now right click on any file(s) or folder(s) from any place in the Computer (except 'My Locker' folder). → Then click at 'Send to'.

Then you will see the 'My Locker' folder on your 'Send to' menu. → Click at 'My Locker'.

Result:

You will see the picture file (.jpg) in the 'My Locker' folder on 'Desktop'.

➤Modify Windows Send to menu:

Hold down the 'Shift' key while selecting the destination from the 'Send to' menu and your file/folder will be moved instead of getting copied (For 'Windows XP' and up).

[Right click on any file/folder → Click on 'Send to' → Press and hold 'Shift' key from keyboard + Select the destination drive/folder]

Results:

The picture file (mouse.jpg) has been moved (cut) to the destination folder (My Locker).

➤'Shift' magic in Windows Vista and up:

Hold down the 'Shift' key → Right click on the desired folder/file → Discover the 'Extended Context Menu', i.e context menu with some secret option. These secret options include:

1) 'Open in new process'

2) 'Open command window here'

3) 'Copy as path' [stores the address/path of the selected file/folder in the Notepad]

4) Some extra, secret items in the 'Send to' menu.

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How to set Taskbar

2020-04-26T18:00:00.000+05:30

➤Insert your Name on 'Taskbar':

Steps:

1) Click at 'Start'→ Click at 'Control Panel'→ Select 'Region and Language' / 'Region'.

Press 'Windows' key + 'R' key from keyboard→Run command box will come→ Write down 'intl.cpl' in the Run command box.→ Click at 'Ok' button.

'Region and Language' / ''Region' dialog will come. (The screenshot picture shown here are for 'Windows 7'. The procedure may differ for other versions.)

2) Click at 'Additional Settings.......'

3) Then click at 'Time' tab→ Write down your First Name in the 'AM symbol:' field→ Then write down your Last Name in the 'PM symbol:' field.

Also edit the 'Short time:' & 'Long time:' field in the 'Times formats' section as shown in the next screenshot as the parameter 'tt' denoting A.M or P.M must also be present in the selected 'Short time:' & 'Long time:' formats.

4) Click on 'Apply'→ Then click on 'Ok'

5) Now Click on 'Apply'→ Then click on 'Ok' (For 'Region & Language')

Results:

➤Retro 'Taskbar':
'Windows 7', 'Windows 8', 'Windows 8.1', combines buttons on the 'taskbar'.
To get back to the retro look, Right-click on the empty area of the 'Taskbar'→ Select the 'Properties' option from the context menu.→In the popped up dialog, select the 'Taskbar' pane→ Check the 'Use small icon' (For 'Windows 7') or 'Use small taskbar buttons' (For 'Windows 8') checkbox→ Under the 'Taskbar buttons:' setting, choose 'Combine when taskbar is full' or 'Never combine'→ Click at 'Apply'→ Then click at 'Ok'.

You'll now get a clear and separate button for each running instances/application, making them much easier to identify.

➤Pin Folder to 'Taskbar':
This tip surely works on 'Windows 7' & up as you can't directly pin a file/folder to 'Taskbar' in earlier versions.
Most of you know how to pin a file/folder on the 'Taskbar'. But you can't directly pin a drive to the 'Taskbar'.

Steps:
1) Create a new folder on your 'Desktop' with .exe extension, say "Tiger.exe".
[N.B-You can use any name for Folder name but ".exe" extension must be given. ]

2) Now replace the folder-icon with a drive-icon.
[Right click on 'Tiger.exe" folder→ Click at 'Properties'→ Then "Tiger.exe" folder properties window will come→ Click at 'Customize' tab→ Click at 'Change icon...' button→ Select the 'Drive icon' picture→ Then click at 'Ok'→ Then 'Apply'→ click at 'Ok']

3) Now the folder look like the following picture:

Main steps Continues:
4) Now drag and drop the folder (here "Tiger.exe") to the 'Taskbar'.

5) Right click on "Tiger.exe" folder which pinned to 'Taskbar'.

6) Now right click on "tiger" icon from the display menu.→ Then click on 'Properties'.

Then the "Tiger" Properties window will come.

7) Here, in 'Shortcut' tab clear or delete the total taget path and write down: 'D:' (with out '').→ Click on 'Apply'→ Click on 'Ok'.
Follow the picture carefully.

↓

8) Then click on the "Tiger.exe" folder which pinned to 'Taskbar'. This folder will open the 'D:' drive in your Computer.
[N.B- You can write down 'C:', 'E:' if your computer has 'E' Drive]

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Read PDF or Listen to PDF

2020-04-24T10:22:00.000+05:30

From now on, please don't strain your eyes any further for reading e-books. Relax and listen to the pdf files instead of reading it.

You can easily do this with the 'Adobe Reader' program. It has integrated text to speech conversion feature that makes text audible with any need to install additional software.

To get started, make sure that your pc has latest version of 'Adobe Reader' installed [here 'Adobe Reader 11'].

Steps:

1) Open the 'Adobe Reader' with pdf file.

2) Select the 'View' option on the 'Adobe Reader' menu bar→ Select 'Read Out Loud' from the displayed menu→ Now select 'Activate Read Out Loud'.

3) Select the 'View' again→ Click at 'Read Out Loud'→ Select 'Read This Page Only, or 'Read To End of Document'.

'Adobe Reader' will now read the document for you.

4) To pause or stop reading, Select the 'View' again→ Click at 'Read Out Loud'→ Select 'Pause' or 'Stop'

Keyboard Commands:

Changing the parameters associated with the voice:

Click 'Edit' option from 'Adobe Reader' top menu bar→ Click on 'Preferences...' at the bottom of the drop-down menu to open 'Preferences' dialog→ Select the 'Reading' option in the list on the left pane of the screen.

In the 'Read Out Loud Options' section of 'Reading' menu, select the voice you would like to use. 'Windows Xp' comes with a free voice: 'Microsoft Sam'. Other Operating Systems may include other voices. 'Mary, or 'Mike' is recommended.

You can also adjust the speed, 'Pitch', and 'Volume' from the 'Read Out Loud Options' box. 'Pitch' and 'Volume' adjustments are labelled as such. Speed is labelled as 'Words per Minute'. Click on 'ok'.

↓

Notes:

1) The 'Read Out Loud' feature may not work on all pdf files like some secured pdfs, pdfs in Hindi or nay other language etc.

2) Not all versions of 'Adobe Reader' has 'Read Out Loud' feature.

3) If you are on a laptop and want the reading by the 'Adobe Reader' to be continued even after closing the laptop-lid instead of going into 'Sleep' / 'Hibernate' or nay other mode, configure 'Power Option' in the 'Control Panel' accordingly.

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how to show my computer icon in desktop

2020-04-23T10:32:00.000+05:30

➤Create 'My Computer/Computer' by Folder:

Steps:

1) At first create a new folder or rename a folder with the below mentioned name:

Computer .{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

[Please note that, press 'Space bar' from keyboard after writing the 'Computer'].

2) Refresh your current directory / 'Desktop' containing the folder.

The folder's icon will get changed into the 'Computer' / 'My Computer' icon.

Now, even if someone clicks on the folder, 'Computer' / ''My Computer' will get opened instead of the folder itself.

3) To access your files, navigate to the folder using 'WinRAR' or try searching your file(s) via 'Search' tool to get access to it.

If you are on 'Windows XP', your stored file(s) may not be displayed in the search results. If your folder is on 'Desktop', you may delete or hide the original 'Computer' / 'My Computer, shortcut, if possible.

➤Create 'Recycle Bin' by Folder:

To store your files within 'Recycle Bin' the folder should be named as:

Recycle bin .{645ff040-5081-101b-9f08-00aa002f954e}

➤Create 'Super Control Panel' by Folder:

It may be hyperbolically named, but 'Super Control Panel' is indeed omnipresent. It conveniently puts hundreds of settings from all around the 'Windows' all in one place.

To turn on 'Super Control Panel', create a new folder on your 'Desktop' or anywhere you'd like & name it:

SuperControl Panel.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

The resulting folder will contain 270+ items, representing virtually every configurable option in 'Windows 7' & up (Probably in 'Windows Vista' too).

➤Multiple Monitor settings:
Windows 7 allows to add a second monitor to a home or office PC to do more than one job concurrently. There are two ways to setup multiple monitor either by using keyboard shortcut or by using traditional system properties.

First method:
Simply press the 'windows' + 'P' key from keyboard. It will display a quick menu with different options.

Computer only - Used to show only computer monitor.
Duplicate - Make the second monitor as the duplicate of first.
Extend - Extend the desktop to second monitor.
Projector only - Turn off the first monitor and activate the second.

Second method:

To set multiple monitor on your computer through the tradition system properties. Right click on the empty part of desktop and select 'screen resolution'. Then click on 'Connect to a projector'.

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Move the Pointer/Cursor with Keyboard

2020-04-22T17:48:00.000+05:30

'Mouse Keys' is an inbuilt feature of 'Windows' that attempts to simulate the use of a mouse/touch-pad via the Numeric keypad on your keyboard. Primarily, it is intended for users with a disability of some kind that prevents them from using a mouse/touchpad.

Steps:

1) Press 'left-Alt' key + 'left-Shift' key + 'Num Lock' key to open the 'Mouse Keys' Dialog.

2) Then click on 'Yes'

When enabled, you'll see the 'Mouse keys' icon in the 'Tray' bar (Windows 'Vista' & up).

'Mouse keys' icon in the 'Tray bar.

Numeric Keypad functions in 'Mouse Keys'

Moving:

Use the 9 numbers keys. 1-9 to move the cursor/pointer vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
Selecting a Mouse Button:
Before you use 'Mouse keys' to click items on your screen, you must first select, which mouse button you want to be the active button, the left button or the right one, or both.

Select the left mouse button → The forward slash (/)

Select both buttons → The asterisk (*)

Select the right mouse button → The minus sign (-)

If you choose to make the left mouse button the active button, it will remain the active button until you choose another button. After you select a mouse button, you don't need to select a mouse button again until you want to change buttons.

Clicking items using 'Mouse keys':
After you chose a button, you can click items on your screen.

Dragging items using 'Mouse keys':
You can use the numeric keypad to press and hold the active mouse button and to release it. This is helpful if you want to drag an item.

Scrolling:
Point to the scroll bar→ Press zero (0) from the Numpad. Now press eight (8) to scroll up or two (2) to scroll down in the case of vertical scroll bar. If the Scroll bar is horizontal, use four (4) to scroll left and (6) to scroll right. Press period (.) on the Numpad to cancel the scrolling mode.

Disable the 'Mouse Keys':
Press 'Left-Alt' + 'Left-Shift' + 'Num Lock' again to disable the 'Mouse Keys'.

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Make 'Windows' Greet You

2020-04-21T17:22:00.000+05:30

A few lines of VB script code will let your computer greet you every time you login to it. This will look straight out of a sci-fi movie and this is so easy & cool. Your not-so-tech-savvy friends will not only be amazed at this but they will think you as a creative genius.

Steps:

1) open 'Notepad' (Text Document)

[Right click on 'Desktop'→ Click at 'New'→ Click at 'Text Document']

2) Copy the exact code given below & paste it into 'Notepad'.

Code:

Dim speaks, speech

speaks="Welcome to your PC, Koushik"

Set speech=CreateObject("sapi.spvoice")

speech.Speak speaks

Replace 'Koushik' in the code with your own name. You can set custom message if you wish within "" in line 2

3) Save the file as "Welcome.vbs".

[Click at 'File' menu→ Click at 'Save As...'→ Now 'Save As' window will come→ Now select the place where the file is save (here I select 'Desktop' for save the file)→ Write down the file name: Welcome.vbs→ Click at 'Save as type:' and select 'All Files'→ Click at 'Save' button].

Make sure that the file is saved with '.vbs' extension and not like "Welcome.vbs.txt". If the file is saved correctly, the file icon will change from a simple notepad icon to a VB script icon.

4) Now the required script file is ready. For the welcome message to greet you upon login, we need to load this file at start-up. To do this we need to move the file to the "startup" folder.
[Press 'Windows' key + 'R' key from keyboard→'Run' command box will come→ write down 'shell:startup'→ Press 'ok' button to open the "Startup" folder].

Generally the path will be:

'C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup'

5) Now place the Saved file to the "Startup" folder.

This path for "Startup' folder in 'Windows 7' & up

Now when the next time you start your Computer, 'Windows' will welcome you in its own Computerized voice.

Note:
1) For best results, it's recommended to disable default windows's welcome sound.
Run 'mmsys.cpl' via 'Run' command. In the popped up window, navigate to the 'Sound' tab and disable Windows's Startup and Logon sound.

Windows Compatibility:
This VBS file can be executed on all versions of Windows including 'Windows XP' 'Windows Vista' 'Windows 7' 'Windows 8' 'Windows 8.1' and 'Windows 10' .

➤Text to Speech Converter:
Steps:1) Open 'Notepad'
2) Copy the exact code given below & paste it into 'Notepad'.
Code:
Dim msg, sapi
msg=InputBox("Enter your text for conversion:","Text To Speech Converter")
Set sapi=CreateObject("sapi.spvoice")
sapi.Speak msg

3) Save the file as "Text to Speech.vbs".

4) Run it.
'Text to Speech Converter' will get opened.
5)Enter your text for conversion and hit the 'ok' button.

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Some Tricks in File, Folder and Notepad (Text Document)

2020-04-20T20:59:00.000+05:30

➤Draft a Personal Diary or Log-book:

You can simply use 'Notepad' as a simple digital diary or as a personal log-book.

Steps:

1) open 'Notepad' (Text Document).

[Right click on 'Desktop'→ Click at New'→ Click at Text Document]

2) Type .LOG (in capital letters) and hit 'Enter' [↵].

3) Save the file as "Anyname.txt" and close it.

[Click at 'File' menu→ Click at 'Save As...'→ Select the place where this file is save (Here select 'Desktop')→ Write down the file name (here file name 'Personal Diary')→ Select 'Save as type:' and select 'Text Document (*.txt)'→Click at 'Save'.→ Then close the 'Notepad' (Text Document)]

4) Open the Saved file again & you'll find the current date and time appended to the file and the cursor in the next line.

5) Type your notes and then save (Click at 'File' menu→ Click at 'Save') and close the file.

6) Open the save file again and you will see the following display:

Each time you open the file, 'Notepad' repeats the process, i.e it inserts the current date and time to the file and places the cursor below it.

➤Access Desktop Files/Folders from Anywhere:

Right click on the 'Taskbar'→ Select 'Toolbars' from the displayed menu→ Click at 'Desktop' option

Once the above steps have been completed you should have a 'Desktop' option in proximity to the windows Notification area of your 'Taskbar'.

Now you can access Desktop Files/Folders from anywhere.

You can access Desktop Files/Folders inside of Computer.

➤Rename Multiple Files/Folders at a Go:

1) Select all the Folders/Files which you want to rename.

[Press and hold the 'Ctrl' key and select one by one Files/Folders]

2) Hit the 'F2' key→ Rename any single File/Folder (Write down the File/Folder name )→ Hit 'Enter' (↵).

Result:

All your Files/Folders will be renamed and a number in the parenthesis () will be added at the end of the Folder/Files-names.

If you want to undo the changes, hit 'Ctrl' + 'Z'.

➤Change the Folder-size to '0-Bytes':

1) Launch 'Command Prompt' with Administrative Privileges.
[Start→ Click at 'All Programs'→ Click at 'Accessories'→ Right click on 'Command Prompt'→ Click at 'Run as administrator'→ 'User Account Control' window is come→ Click on 'ok' button.→ Now the 'Administrator: Command Prompt' window is come].

2) Now write down command in Command prompt:

cacls "your Folder-Path" /e /p everyone:n

E.g.

cacls "E:\picture" /e /p everyone:n

3) Now check the Folder-size in the 'Folder Properties' dialog.

[Right click on your target folder (Here folder name is "picture")→Click at 'Properties'→ Now folder properties window is come.

The folder size is reduced to '0' byte. Now even if someone tries to open the folder, it will show the "Access Denied" error.

4) To regain the correct folder size & to re-access it, input the following command in the 'Command Prompt'.

cacls "your Folder-Path" /e /p everyone:f

E.g.
cacls "E:\picture" /e /p everyone:f

➤Create a Folder Named 'CON':

When you try to create a folder named "CON" or rename an existing file/folder to "CON", the following warning message may pop up on your computer screen.
Similarly, when you save any file as "CON", you may receive an error message similar to the one shown on the text page.

Warning message Displayed

Error Message Displayed

Steps:
1) Make sure that the target file/folder is in rename mode.
2) Hold 'Alt' key and press '255' or '0160' from Numpad/Numeric keypad on right side of the keyboard, where only no's are given.
'Windows' will now introduce a secret invisible character.

3) Now type "CON", "AUX" or "NULL" (without "") as per your wish.
Your folder has been created.

Please note that you press '255' or '0160', from Numpad.

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Some Tricks in Microsoft Word

2020-04-20T08:17:00.000+05:30

➤To add a simple straight line in 'MS Word' by keyboard :

Take the cursor to the left-most side→ Type three dashes (---) followed by 'Enter' (↵) key.

Output:

➤Create Tables using Keyboard in 'MS Word' :

'Microsoft Word' lets you create Tables with rows and columns just by typing.

Steps:

1. Open 'MS Word'

2. Start typing a row with a single plus (+) sign followed by strings of minus (-) signs.

It should look somewhat like the figure shown below:

[The '+' (Plus) sign, indicates the beginning/end of a column and the '-' (minus) signs determines the width of the column i.e. the longer the string of minus sign, the wider the column becomes.]

3. Press 'Enter' (↵) and 'Word' will create a table with a single row (figure below).

4. To create additional rows, go to the last column and then press the 'Tab' key.

[Use 'Undo' ('Ctrl' + 'Z') to reduce rows or 'Redo' ('Ctrl' + 'Y') to come back the row. You can also use '|' (vertical bar), instead of '+' (plus). You may even use '=' or '_' instead of '+' (plus).]

Notes:

If this tip doesn't work on your system, there are two possible reasons:

1. In some of the versions of 'word', you may need to place at least one white-space between each '+' (plus) sign, or each '|' (vertical bar).

2. You may have the 'Tables' feature turned off.

➧If you are using 'Microsoft Word 2007' & higher then you can follow these steps to turn the 'Tables' feature on:

a) Open the Microsoft Word→ Click the 'Office button'→Click 'Word Option' or navigate to 'File' menu→ click at 'Options'

Microsoft Word 2010

b) Now 'Word' will display the 'Word Options' dialog box.→Click 'Proofing' on the left pane of the dialog box.

c) Now click on 'AutoCorrect Options.....' button.

d) 'Word' will display the 'AutoCorrect' dialog box.→ Click at 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab→ Make sure that the 'Tables' check box is checked→ click on 'ok'.

➧If you are using a version of 'Word' prior to 'Word 2007' then follow these steps:

Go to 'Tools'→click at 'AutoCorrect Options......' or 'AutoCorrect'→ Select the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab from the 'AutoCorrect' dialog box.→ Check the 'Tables' checkbox & hit 'Ok'.

➤Select Texts vertically in 'MS Word' :

If you often use 'MS Word', you would have probably come across the situations, when you need to select only the leading characters of each line for deletion, especially if you are dealing with text pasted from another source or reformatting a document.

For instance, what if you want to make only the first character/word on each line bold?

You can select and bolden each word individually or make use of vertical selection to bolden them simultaneously.

Steps:

1) Using your mouse/touch-pad, click to mark the beginning of your text selection.

2) Press and hold the 'Alt' key & then drag the pointer to mark your vertical selection.

Suppose you want to delete the first two words from each of the lines from the below list. So what you'll have to do is, holding down the 'Alt' key, make a vertical selection around the required area :

Vertically selected text in MS Word

Now cut or just delete the selection.

Modified list after the deletion of the selected text in 'MS Word'

You can make a vertical selection anywhere within the document.

Notes:

In some latest version of the 'Word', you can use the 'Ctrl' + 'Shift' + 'F8' key combination to turn on the vertical selection mode, Use the Arrow keys to mark the selection then. You can press the 'Esc' key to cancel the vertical selection mode.

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Give Drives a Makeover

2020-04-17T21:33:00.001+05:30

Windows's users truly jaded off by those default drive-icons provided by 'Windows'. 'Windows' allows changing icons related to a folder or a shortcut only.

So here is a simple tweak by which, you'll be able to replace those monotonous drive-icons with anything, even your own photograph.

Steps :

1. Firstly, you need an image/photo in .ico format. Google gives you the icons (images with .ico extension) of your favourite cartoons or characters; if we want to use your own photo, then convert it into .ico format. You can convert any image/photo to .ico format by third party software (like: Format Factory software) or online.

Download the .ico format picture like: bird.ico .

2. Now, suppose you want to change the icon of your E: drive (you can also change the icon of your C: and D: drive). Place your bird.ico file in E: drive.
3. Open the new Text Document (Notepad) → Write down the code:

Code:

[autorun]

icon=bird.ico

[Please note that "bird.ico" in the second line of the code is the name of .ico image file. when you do this tricks, give the your .ico image file name in the second line.
4. Now click at "File" menu→ Click at "Save As...."

5. Now "Save As..." window is come→ Select the E: drive for save your file→ Write down the file name : "autorun.inf"→ Select the "Save as type:" and select "All Files"

Please note that your "autorun.inf" file save in E: drive. Always give the file name "autorun.inf". Always give the "Save as type:" is "All Files".
5. Now click at "Save". Your autorun.inf file save in E: Drive.

6. Now your E: drive should look like :

Please note that "autorun.inf" file and "bird.ico" file must be in the same drive (here E: drive).
7. Now refresh your E: dive & 'Computer'. But many times Computer needs to be restarted to let the changes come into effect.
8. After restart your computer your E: drive should be look like :

Note :
You can also replace your Pen-drive icon through this simple trick.

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Shutdown the Computer by Icon

2020-04-17T05:05:00.000+05:30

We can shutdown the Computer by a Icon. This Tricks can apply on Windows 7, 8, 10 Operating System.

Steps :

1. At first right click on Desktop.

2. Click at New.

3. Click at Shortcut.

4. Now the Shortcut Window is come. In the Box where the cursor is blinking, write down :

shutdown -s -t 0

[N.B-After write down the shutdown press "space bar" from keyboard and press "space bar" again after write down the -s and -t. "0" this is zero.]

5. Now click at Next button.

6. Click at Finish button.

7. Now the shutdown Icon is come on Desktop.

8. Now right click on shutdown Icon→ Click at Properties.

9. Now the shutdown Properties window is come. In "Shortcut" tab click at "Change Icon..." button.

10. Now alert message is come. Click on "ok" button of alert message.

11. Now select the any Icon picture→ then click "ok" button.

12. Now click on "Apply" button→ Then "ok" button.

13. Now the shutdown Icon look like this :

Now double click on this shutdown Icon . We see that the Computer shutdown immediately.

Except this, there are many types to shutdown the Computer. we can shutdown the computer from Command prompt (MS-DOS), from keyboard.

➤Shutdown the Computer from MS-DOS : To shutdown the computer from MS-DOS first press "windows" + "R" key from keyboard.→ Then write down "CMD" in run box.→Click at "ok" button.→ Now MS-DOS Command prompt window is come.

Windows Key

↓

MS-DOS Command Prompt

Now in MS-DOS write down following command and press "ENTER (↩) :

➤To shutdown the Computer in zero (0) second -

shutdown -s -t 0 ↩

➤To shutdown the Computer after 1 minute (60 sec) -

shutdown -s -t 60 ↩

➤To Restart the Computer in zero (0) second -

shutdown -r -t 0 ↩

➤To Restart the Computer after 1 minute (60 sec) -

shutdown -r -t 60↩

[N.B- Always note that press "Space bar" after writing "shutdown", "-s or -r", "-t".]

➤Shutdown the Computer from Keyboard :
1. Press "Alt" + "F4" key from keyboard.→ Then press "ENTER" key from keyboard.

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