Windows 7

Change the size of virtual memory

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 21:41:00 +0000

If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you'll need to increase the minimum size of your paging file. Windowssets the initial minimum size of the paging file at the amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer plus 300 megabytes (MB), and the maximum size at 3 times the amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings at these recommended levels, then increase the minimum and maximum sizes.

- Open System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clickingSystem.

- In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

- On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

- Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.

- Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.

- Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.

- Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

Increases in size usually don't require a restart, but if you decrease the size, you'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.

MS Looks To Move Windows 7 Users To IE 11

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 19:06:00 +0000

Microsoft released a developer preview of Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) for Windows 7. IE10, a faster, modern edition of Microsoft's long-running browser, debuted last fall with Windows 8. It did not make its way to Windows 7 users, however, until four months later. The first public taste of IE11 arrived with Windows 8.1 last month, when Microsoft released the OS update as a public preview. At the time, the company said IE11 would be coming to Win7 users, as well.

The company has not indicated when the final version of IE11 for Windows 7 will be released, but given the quick turnaround with the preview edition, Win7 users might not have to wait as long this time around.

The developer preview works for Windows Server 2008 R2 as well. IE11 is expected to deliver a number of enhancements, including faster page-loading, support for more standards and improved graphics rendering. For Windows 7 users, Microsoft claims IE11 runs JavaScript 4% faster than IE10, and at least 30% faster than any competitor. IE11 also supports WebGL, which should improve battery life by leveraging the GPU to decode JPG images on Web pages.

That said, the Windows 7 version of IE11 won't include all the features of the Windows 8.1 variant. The Win8.1 version will be able to run HTML5 videos, such as those in Netflix, without a plug-in, for instance, but the Windows 7 edition will not.

Additionally, the Win7 version will keep the URL bar at the top of the browser, whereas in Windows 8, the bar is at the bottom. The Windows 8 version also supports Google's SPDY protocol and can concurrently open up to 100 tabs. The Windows 7 edition lacks both of these features.

IE versions 8, 9 and 10 are the three most ubiquitous browsers, according to Web-tracking firm Net Applications. Despite this firm foundation, IE11 adoption is important to Microsoft for a number of reasons. IE versions languished for years, mired in proprietary technology, security vulnerabilities and inconsistent performance. As a result, competing browsers -- and their pathways to search engines, ad sales and social media -- gained prominence. Microsoft has spent the last few years modernizing IE and closing gaps. With major changes occurring in the PC industry, Microsoft wants to maintain its momentum.

With IE11, that momentum clearly involves tablets and Windows 8.1; the better the OS's Web-surfing experience, the more attractive the forthcoming Windows 8.1 mini-tablets become as cheap, consumption-oriented devices. But Microsoft's progress will involve Windows 7 users too.

Windows 7 is the world's top OS, and Windows XP, the runner-up, is still powering nearly 40% of all PCs. Windows XP will lose support in less than a year, and many none-too-pleased customers have been slow to upgrade. When they have upgraded, it's often been to Windows 7, not Windows 8.

Microsoft will not release IE11 for Windows 8, only for Windows 8.1. The company is assuming, in other words, that all Win8 users will upgrade. This will give IE11 a built-in boost, but Windows 7 still has more users. To reach the widest audience, IE11 for Windows 7 is important, as well.

The IE11 experience is reliant on not only Microsoft but also Web developers. In an effort to ensure that sites work well with IE11, Microsoft is redesigning its modern.ie site for developers. The company also announced a limited 25% discount for Parallels Desktop 8, the virtualization software for running Windows on a Mac. Microsoft additionally offered developers two new virtual machines for site testing, as well as free access to BrowserStack, a tool that compares how long JPG images take to render in various browsers.

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/windows/microsoft-news/ms-looks-to-move-windows-7-users-to-ie-1/240158971

Librarian Makes Windows’ Libraries Much Easier to Manage

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 18:57:00 +0000

Windows: Libraries are a great feature of Windows 7 and up that allow you to pool several folders in one place. Librarian improves on the concept by allowing you to manage those collections more easily.

Librarian allows you to add or remove folders, change default save location, and select the type of collection all in one place. It doesn't do much that you can't do from elsewhere, but many of these options are scattered throughout the OS. This app consolidates all of those options in one, simple window.

Credit: http://lifehacker.com

How to enable AHCI mode in Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:54:00 +0000

Boot in IDE mode, and copy the following into notepad, and save as a .reg file. Then double click on it, and okay it to install.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci]

"Start"=dword:00000000

Reboot (important!), and set AHCI mode (important! must be done before trying to install the performance driver).

Then download and install (or download beforehand) the Intel AHCI performance driver:
http://www.station-drivers.com/telec...ivers.com).exe
(its also for RAID etc).

Its on http://www.station-drivers.com/page/intel%20raid.htm

Don't download the 11.x series yet, they're alpha (pre-beta) and unstable. The 11.0.x is somewhat stable (seemingly) but are several months older than the 10.8's, which seem to work better anyway (they're the proper Intel released ones).

Reboot.

Credit: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=354428

AHCI vs IDE

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:53:00 +0000

AHCI and IDE are two modes in which a hard drive communicates with the rest of the computer system using a SATA storage controller. SATA hard drives can operate in a backward-compatible PATA/IDE mode, a standard AHCI mode or vendor-specific RAID. AHCI stands for Advanced Host Controller Interface and is a faster mode of operation compared to IDE. RAID mode also enables and makes use of AHCI.

AHCI gives software developers and hardware designers a standard method for detecting, configuring, and programming SATA/AHCI adapters. AHCI is separate from the SATA 3 Gbit/s standard, although it exposes SATA's advanced capabilities (such as hot swapping and native command queuing) such that host systems can utilize them.

	AHCI	IDE
Stands for / AKA:	Advanced Host Controller Interface	IDE: Integrated Drive Electronics / PATA: Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment
Defined by:	Intel	Western Digital
Hot plugging (add/remove component while the computer is running):	Supported	IDE interface does not support hot plugging
Advantages:	Supports new technologies such as native command queuing	Maximum compatibility
Involves:	Operation of Serial ATA (SATA) host bus adaptors	Operation of a parallel ATA drive
Disadvantages:	Not always compatible	Lacks support for new technologysuch as native command queuing and hot-plugging hard drives
Operating modes:	Legacy Parallel ATA emulation, standard AHCI or vendor specific RAID	IDE
Operating system support:	Windows Vista and later Windows, Linux, OpenBSD, NetBSD, FreeBSD, OS Z, eComStation and Solaris 10	All

Activate Telnet in Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:16:00 +0000

1. Open command prompt. Just type "cmd" into the Start Menu, without quotes, and press enter.

2. Type telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl and press Enter

3. Wait a few moments while your computer connects to the site

4. Enjoy! You are currently watching Star Wars IV: A New Hope in ASCII!

What Is 'Telnet'? What Does Telnet Do?

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:16:00 +0000

Telnet is an old computer protocol (set of programmatic rules). Telnet is famous for being the original Internet when the Net first launched in 1969. Telnet stands for 'telecommunications network', and was built to be form of remote control to manage mainframe computers from distant terminals. In those original days of large mainframe computers, telnet enabled research students and professors to 'log in' to the university mainframe from any terminal in the building. This remote login saved researchers hours of walking each semester. While telnet pales in comparison to modern networking technology, it was revolutionary in 1969, and telnet helped pave the way for the eventual World Wide Web in 1989. While telnet technology is very old, it is still in some use today by purists. Telnet has evolved into a new modern version of remote control called 'SSH', something that many modern network administrators use today to manage linux and unix computers from a distance.

Telnet is a text-based computer protocol. Unlike Firefox or Google Chrome screens, telnet screens are very dull to look at. Very different from Web pages that sport fancy images, animation, and hyperlinks, telnet is about typing on a keyboard. Telnet commands can be rather cryptic commands, with example commands being 'z' and 'prompt% fg'. Most modern users would find telnet screens to be very archaic and slow.

Credit : http://netforbeginners.about.com

Turn on Remote Desktop in Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:54:00 +0000

Remote Desktop is disabled by default in Windows 7 but it’s easy to turn it back on.

Important note: Remote desktop is only included in the Professional, Business, or Ultimate versions of Windows. Home editions do not have remote desktop.

To get to the configuration page, you can either right-click the Computer icon and choose properties, or you can type in system into the start menu search box, and then find the entry for System.

Now you’ll want to click the Remote Settings link on the left hand side:

Now you can finally turn it on:

To connect from another Vista / Win7 PC on the same network, click the bottom radio button. If you need to connect from an XP/2k machine, click the “Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop” radio button.

Don’t worry about setting up firewall rules, Vista or Windows 7 does that for you automatically.

Credit : http://www.howtogeek.com

Web browsers listing for Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:51:00 +0000

Logo	Browser Name & Developer
	Internet Explorer Microsoft Corporation Download version 9
	Firefox (also called Mozilla Firefox) Mozilla Corporation Download version 9.0.1
	Chrome Google Download version 16.0.912.63
	Safari Apple Inc. Download version 5.1.2
	Opera Opera Software ASA Download version 11.60
	Netscape Navigator Netscape Communications Corporation (now part of AOL) Download version 9
	SeaMonkey Mozilla Foundation Download version 2.6.1
	K-Meleon kmeleonbrowser.org Download version 1.5.4
	Konqueror Konqueror Download version 4.7.4
	Maxthon Browser Maxthon Download version 3.3.3.1000
	Flock (web browser) Flock, Inc. Download version 3.5.0.4641
	Lunascape Lunascape, Inc. Download version 6.5.8
	Amaya W3C Download version 11.3.1
	Midori TwoToasts.de Download version 0.4.3
	KidZui KidZui, Inc Download
	RockMelt RockMelt Inc. Download version 0.9.72.615
	Slim Browser FlashPeak Download version 6.00.074
	KidRocket KidRocket.org Download version 1.5.0.2
	Epic Hidden Reflex Download version 1.9
	Iron Browser SRWare Download version 16.0.950.0
	Comodo Dragon Comodo Download version 16.1.1
	Crazy Browser Crazy Browser Download version 3.10
	Arora Benjamin C. Meyer Download version 0.11.0[1]
	ShenzBrowser Shenz International Download version 1.1
	Enigma Browser Advanced Search Technologies, Inc. Download
	Avant Browser Avant Force Download version 2012 build 16
	Orca Avant Force Download version 1.2 build 6
	xB Browser XeroBank Download version 3.9.10.24
	Sleipnir Fenrir Inc. Download version 3.0
	space time space time Download version 1.0.0.2
	Browse3D Browse3D Corporation Download version 3.5
	Bitty Browser Turnstyle Download
	Lobo Java Web Browser The Lobo Project Download version 0.98.4
	Grail CNRI Download version 0.6
	Lynx Thomas Dickey Download version 2.8.8
	The World Browser Phoenix Studio Download version 3.5.0.3
	TT Tencent Holdings Download version 4.8 (1000)
	Pink browser Mind Vision Software (MVS) Download version 1.0
	Nuke Browser Nuke Tech Download version 1.01
	Acoo Browser Acoo Browser Download version 1.98.744
	Pale Moon Moonchild Download
	Dooble Dooble Download version 1.26.1
	MenuBox Cloanto Corporation Download version 5.1
	Chromium Google Download version 18.0.1001.0
	Ultrabrowser Ultrabrowser.com Inc Download version 11.0
	ZAC Browser People CD Inc. Download version 1.5
	Kylo Hillcrest Labs Download version 1.0.1.76141
	morequick GreenBrowser Download version 6.0.1002
	Wyzo media browser Radical Software Ltd. Download version 3.6.4
	CometBird CometBird Download version 8.0
	QtWeb QtWeb.NET Download version 3.7.3
	Deepnet Explorer Deepnet Security Download version 1.5.3

Microsoft and NUI and the Windows 7 Interface

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:12:00 +0000

Microsoft has been in interested in developing alternative interfaces for users. Their touch and speech technology, which has entered theWindows 7 OS system and has been a player for different models saw a new partner enter with Microsoft.

Natural User Interface

A natural user interface (NUI) is a user interface that is effectively invisible, or becomes invisible with successive learned interactions, to its users. It is natural because most computer interfaces use artificial control devices where users must learn the operation. Moreover, a NUI relies on a user making a quick transition from novice to expert. Thus, while the interface requires learning, a special interface design gives the user the feeling that they are instantly and continuously successful. This technology allows users to carry out relatively natural motions, movements or gestures that they quickly discover control the computer application or manipulate the on-screen content. The goal is to make the user feel like a natural; and not part of a suspect view that the natural user interface is somehow a mimicry of nature, or that some inputs to a computer are somehow more ‘natural’ than others.

So, Microsoft entered an agreement with 24/7 to jointly bring the power of natural user interfaces (NUIs) and data analytics at cloud scale (Big Data) to enable the future of customer service for businesses.

Last year, Microsoft saw its Kinect system grow from a game computing add on to a science development system. But now, this new partnership extends this NUI system to business applications. With Microsoft and 24/7, new ways to use NUI should develop and this will give businesses a new way to present their data and information. It should also extend the type of users to Windows 7 that weren’t available before because of disabilities or other handicaps. But even though that is not their first goal, which is instead to provide mobile and social media connections, still using this approach can add many users and start the switch over to an alternative natural interface.

With Microsoft expanding its NUI technology in Windows 7 and the upcoming Windows 8 this can make an big impact on how users will use computers.

How to share an Internet connection via WiFi in Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:42:00 +0000

You have Windows 7 operating system and want to enjoy your high speed Internet connection on many computers or you want to share it with your friends who live nearby you? We will show you how to use this functionality in Windows 7 with the help of Connectify. This software will indeed transform your computer into an internet access point, the only thing you need is a WiFi card. Here are the steps you have to follow to make this work:

Step 1: Make sure first that your WiFi card is enabled by going to Control Panel, Network and Internet, View Network computers and devices, right click on your WiFi card and then choose Enable. If you WiFi card is already enabled don’t change anything and continue to next step.

Step 2: Download Connectify for Windows 7.

Step 3: Run the installation file and accept the license agreement, the installation in simple and only takes a few seconds. During installation your computer will probably have to restart few times so don’t worry about that.

Step 4: Now once installation is finished, start Connectify. If an update for Connectify is available, make sure you download it and update the software. Then run the program.

Step 5: Your previously enabled wireless device is automatically detected. Then you must enter the name of your wireless network.

Step 6: A password of at least 8 characters is required. This will serve users to connect to youraccess point.

Step 7: Once the password is set, below password field you will have to choose which internet connection you want to share, click on dropdown men and select one.

Step 8: Then click Star a Hotspot button. It may take a minute or two until its setup.

Step 9: Once it’s done. Windows Security Alert may popup, choose Allow Access.

Here you are now with your own WiFi access point type WPA2-DSK. It is accessible from the list of wireless networks Network and Sharing Center, make sure you provide the password to people you want to share the connection with!

Note for those users with an Intel WiFi card, a simple driver’s update can in most cases, activate Windows 7 Virtual WiFi so you can benefit from the ability to turn your computer into an Internet Access Point without having to go through Connectify. Also make sure your WiFi network is secure, and always pay attention who is connected on your network and who is using your internet connection.

How to enable Away Mode in Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:46:00 +0000

Windows Away Mode similar to Sleep and Hibernate Mode, it turns off the power of most equipment to save energy and can be fast woken up to work. But when the computer is in Away Mode, the background tasks such as downloading,recording processes are actually continue to work.

Away Mode is designed specifically for scenarios where the user is finished interacting with the computer, but the system must remain powered on to record a TV broadcast or share media files with other systems and devices. For example, the system might be providing access to Windows Media Center Extender or other consumer electronics devices and therefore must remain available even though the user is not interacting with the system at the local console. Away Mode enables a living room media PC to respond to a user’s power-on to power-off requests in the same manner as a television or set-top box that might appear turned off, but actually continues to work.

To enable Away Mode in Windows7 :

Following steps make the Sleep button in Start menu work with the Away Modefunctionality.

Step 1: Go to Start -> search ‘regedit’ (without the quotes). In the Registry Editor, navigate to:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power. In right, right click to create a new DWORD32bit Value called AwayModeEnabledand set its value to 1.

Step 2 : Close the Registry Editor, and go to Start -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> click "change when the computer sleep" under Power Options -> Change advanced power settings.
Set hard disk never (set the value to 0) to turn off, set wireless adapter power saving mode to Maximum Performance, and never sleep after turn off the display monitor.

Now, click Start -> Sleep and your computer actually goes into Away Mode.

Windows Vs Windows

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:24:00 +0000

Simplifies everyday tasks

Windows XP

Windows Vista

Windows 7

Multitask more easily.

Chat and share with free photo, e-mail, and IM programs.

Browse the web easily and more safely.

Find files and programs instantly.

Open programs and files you use most in a click or two.

Connect to any available wireless network in just three clicks.

Navigate lots of open windows more quickly.

Easily share files, photos, and music on your home network.

Print to a single printer from any PC in the house.

Manage printers, cameras, and other devices better.

Organize lots of files, documents, and photos effortlessly.

Works the way you want

Personalize your desktop with themes and photos.

Connect to company networks more securely.

Fully compatible with 64-bit PCs.

Run Windows XP business programs.

Built-in defense against spyware and other malware.

Help keep your data private and secure.

Manage and monitor your children’s PC use.

Designed for faster sleep and resume.

Improved power management for longer battery life.

Makes new things possible

Watch and record TV on your PC.

Create and share movies and slide shows in minutes.

Get the most realistic game graphics and vivid multimedia.

Stream music, photos, and videos around your house.

Connect to your home PC media library while you're away.

Touch and tap instead of point and click.

How to setup a Network Connection using Network and Sharing Center in Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:10:00 +0000

Network and Sharing Center allows you the options to Setup a new connection or network, Connect to a network and share the resources. With a home or small office network, you can share an Internet connection or a printer, view and work with shared files, and play multiple-player computer games.
Let's see how to configure a network:

1. Click the Start button to view the Start Menu and then choose the Control Panel option.

2. The Control Panel window opens up. Click All Control Panel Items.

Window shows All Control Panel Items.

Click Network and Sharing Center, window opens up with the basic network information and showing your active networks.

3. Setup a new connection or network: allows you to setup a wireless, broadband, dial-up, ad hoc, or VPN connection; or set up a router oraccess point.

4. Choose the connection option eg. Connect to the Internet and click Next.

5. Choose the option How you want to connect? eg. Broadband(PPPoE).

You will be prompted to enter User name and Password provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Provide the info. To view your password, check Show characters checkbox. Select Remember this password checkbox if you want this computer to remember your password. Type connection name. To share this connection with others who use this computer you can click Allow other people to use this connection. clickConnect.

If fails to connect the windows opens up as.

If connected successfully, the window looks as below screen shot.

6. Connect to a Network: allows you to connect to an existing network. Click Connect to a Network. The available networks are shown as below.

Choose the connection eg. Broadband Connection and click Connect.

Provide the User name and password and click Connect.

7. Choose homegroup and sharing options: allows you to access files and printers located on other network computers. You can also change sharing settings.

8. Fix a network problem: is useful to diagnose and repair network problems, or get troubleshooting information.

Click Internet Connections -> Next.

Select Can I access a specific web page?

Enter Website address as Google and click Next.

Five Windows 7 Issues Every IT Pro Needs to Know

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:58:00 +0000

Windows 7 proved to be a hit product for Microsoft, with sales of more than 90 million licenses since its October 2009 release. Generally seen as a vast improvement on Windows Vista, as well as a timely successor to the decade-old Windows XP, Windows 7 also met with largely positive reviews from many tech sites and media outlets. As with any huge software platform, however, Windows 7 also contained some kinks for a subset of IT administrators.

The following were some of the issues that IT pros pointed out to eWEEK during the operating system’s first weeks and months on the market. Some of these, such as driver incompatibility, have been largely resolved; others, including a lack of an upgrade path between Windows XP and Windows 7, continue to (in some cases, necessarily) persist.

Issue 1
Lack of upgrade path between Windows XP and Windows 7. Given the number of SMBs (small and midsize businesses) and enterprises running Windows XP, the lack of a direct upgrade path to Windows 7 continues to represent an issue to businesses considering the switch.

Issue 2
Legacy Applications/backwards compatibility. A number of companies have found that their proprietary applications, built for Windows XP, need Windows 7’s XP Mode (seen here) in order to run. However, that virtual environment operates very slowly for certain users, resulting in a frustrating process.

Issue 3
Libraries functionality. A subset of IT administrators seem to find Libraries, a Windows 7-specific system for ordering files of user content, to be confusing.

Issue 4
Occasional battery life issues for laptops running Windows 7. A number of IT administrators continue to report that installing Windows 7 onto a laptop very occasionally results in an inability for the laptop’s battery to carry a full charge. Microsoft has disputed these claims, saying their engineers have been unable to replicate the issue.

Issue 5
Early Driver Incompatibility. Following the release of the Windows 7 RC, some users noted missing drivers for certain printers and other auxiliary devices. However, it seems that many of those issues have been subsequently addressed.

OnLive Brings Windows 7 To Your iPad

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Tablets are becoming more and more popular all the time, and the vast majority of them are iPad’s. Of course everyone knows of the limitations that this brings but OnLive is looking to getting around these barriers. At CES this year they announced their new OnLive Desktop Service which allows you to use Windows 7 on your iPad over the internet.

OnLive have been around for a while now and are known more for their OnLive Gaming service. OnLive Desktop is a free app that’s available on the iTunes app store (US only for the moment) that allows you to access a Windows 7 virtual machine from your iPad. OnLive starts up a virtual machine on one of its servers and streams the screen to your iPad. The user can then interact with the screen and the information will be relayed back to the virtual machine.

Once you’ve loaded up the app and have connected to a desktop you will be presented with the standard Windows 7 interface. There’s also a number of Microsoft Office applications for you to use for free including Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Of course all the other standard Windows 7 programs will be available to you as well as a few touch based games.

You interact with your Windows 7 desktop the same way you’d normally use your iPad, ie. pinch to zoom etc.. and you can even use an external bluetooth keyboard if you wish. At the moment this free service operates on an “as-available” basis, which means it just makes use of the left over capacity from OnLive’s gaming service and only offers 2GB storage.

However this won’t do for most businesses so a subscription service called OnLive Desktop Pro will be available soon for $9.99 per month. This service will provide a larger selection of applications and features, 50GB of storage space, and also priority access to OnLives server resources. Another service “Onlive Enterprise” will also be available which will allow installation of custom programs and allow IT staff full access to the virtual machine.

Of course the big limitation with this service is that you will need a pretty quick internet connection to use it which isn’t really much good for people who are travelling or who have below par internet connections.

Windows 7 Tutorial

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:17:00 +0000

Exploring The Start Menu

In Windows 7 tutorial, we explore the Windows 7 Start Menu. From the Start Menu, you can launch any programs installed on your PC and also search for pictures, videos and music. We'll also demonstrate how to "pin" your favorite programs to the Start Menu or Taskbar.Because the Start Menu is used for launching virtually all the programs and tasks you do on your computer, it's very important to learn how to use it effectively.

Windows In Windows 7

In Windows 7 tutorial, we take a look at working with windows. As you might imagine, this is a core skill to master if you want to become productive with your PC. While some of the material we show in this video will be familiar to those of you who have used previous versions of Windows, Windows 7 brings some handy new tricks of its own which will help you to be more productive when using your PC. Three of these new features are Aero Peek, Aero Snap and Aero Shake.

Navigating Your Personal Folder

In Windows 7 tutorial, we'll demonstrate how to work with files and folders, specifically the personal folders on your computer. Every user account on a Windows 7 machine has several personal folders designed for storing documents, music, pictures, videos and other data you work with. (We'll also be covering user accounts in a later tutorial). Being able to navigate around these folders is an important skill to master. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of folders and files on your PC.

Organizing Files And Folder Using The Context Menu

In Windows 7 tutorial, we'll be using the context menu to move and copy files and folders. The context menu appears when you right click and as its name suggests, it changes depending on what context or situation it appears under. When you have completed this tutorial, you should be confident with copying and moving files and folders around your PC and understand how to create your own folders and organize content on your machine.

Working With Multiple Files And Folders
In Windows 7 tutorial, we'll show you how you can work with multiple files and folders at once. As you become more proficient using your PC, you may start to create and download a large number of files. When dealing with large collections of files, being able to work efficiently with multiple files and folders can be a huge time saver.

Using Libraries

In Windows 7 tutorial, you'll learn about a powerful new feature of Windows 7, namely libraries. Libraries let you view files on your computer from a content centric rather than location centric perspective. When sifting through vast amounts of files, libraries can be very useful. You'll see what we mean when you watch the video.

Folder Properties

In Windows 7 tutorial, we continue to explore the many features of Windows Explorer by taking a look at folder properties. We'll mainly be concentrating on how to customize folder types to make exploring your computer even easier.

Folder Options

In Windows 7 tutorial, we'll show you how to customize Windows Explorer and your folders even more by using the folder options window. You'll discover how to customize folder views and peek into the hidden files and folders on your PC.

Using The Recycle Bin

In Windows 7 tutorial, we'll take a look at the Recycle Bin folder. The Recycle Bin is where files and folders are sent when you remove them. It acts like a safety net against deleting data by accident. In the video we'll show you how to recover files from the Recycle Bin, empty the bin and also change its size. You will also see a few exceptions where files are not sent to the Recycle Bin and are deleted immediately instead.

Advance Start Menu Options
In Windows 7 tutorial, you will see some advanced techniques for working with and customizing the Start Menu. You'll learn about the privacy options for the Start Menu and how to clear recently used programs as well as how to personalize the options available on the right of the menu.

Exploring Your Computer With "Computer"

In Windows 7 tutorial, We'll look at "Computer". This is the top level view of all the drives and storage devices attached to your PC. From Computer you can open and navigate to any file or folder on your PC or on network drives or removable drives.

Taskbar Jump List And Customization

In Windows 7 tutorial, it's time to explore the new Windows 7 Taskbar further. We'll look at jump lists on the Taskbar and take a look at some customization options. Want to go back to the old style Taskbar with labels as well as icons? Want to add toolbars to your Taskbar? We'll show you how to do all that and more in this video.

The Notification Area (System Tray)

In Windows 7 tutorial, we'll take a look at the much improved Notification Area (or System Tray as it is commonly referred to). The Notification Area has become increasingly cluttered on many systems as more and more programs place their notification icons at the bottom of the screen. Windows 7 streamlines the Notification Area and significantly reduces clutter, as you'll see in this video.

Search Is Everywhere In Windows 7 Too

In Windows 7 tutorial, it's time to search out the search options in Windows 7 and show you how you can quickly find files and folders on your computer. Adjusting to the new, more complex search options in Windows 7 can be a shock for Windows XP users, but with a little practise and our handy tutorial here, we're sure you'll be searching like a pro in no time.

The Low Down On User Account Controls In Windows 7

In Windows 7 tutorial, it's time to take a look at the often unfairly criticized User Account Control security mechanism. User Account Controls (UAC) were introduced in Windows Vista and were immediately unpopular with users migrating from Windows XP. However, they drastically improved security and when used in conjunction with limited user accounts, can actually save a great deal of time, as we'll demonstrate in the video.

Devices And Printer

In Windows 7 tutorial, we demonstrate the new Devices and Printers section of the control panel. This new feature of Windows 7 aims to make it easier to work with and troubleshoot peripheral devices, such as printers, monitors, external storage devices and game controllers. Instead of trying to find your device in a big long list, Devices and Printers tries to assign an icon to it which represents the actual device more clearly.

Windows 7 Advantages and Disadvantages

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:17:00 +0000

Advantages

Windows 7 is faster than its predecessors, both in terms of installation and boot up time.
Calculator has been enhanced with some new features like unit conversion, calculations like fuel economy and auto lease payment.
WordPad in Windows 7 has improved much better and look similar to the Microsoft Office Word. It can be used to open, edit file names with docx extension which was earlier introduced with MS-Office 2007. Word prediction is the new feature in Word Pad. Realistic brush has been added in Paint.
Microsoft facilitates in windows 7, to download some eye-catching themes and background images from its own Microsoft website or from RSS feed. It allows the user to customize every part of the themes and save for our future use or send to the other windows 7 users.
It also supports advanced touch and handwriting recognition.
Windows 7 supports Virtual Hard Disks with the support of enhanced performances of multi core processors.
Windows Media Player 12 has got much enhanced features in the Windows 7 and drag and drop option has been added which were not there in the previous versions.
Windows 7 allows the user to make the best use of graphic cards from the different vendors.
Bitlocker is a feature which provides encryption for the internal drives in vista, but it is extended to the external drives in windows 7. This makes backup and restore much easier.
Default settings of User Account have been eliminated, to protect form the unauthorized software to be installed.
Windows 7 has included a new concept, jumplists which organize the recently used files as well as web pages.
More than that, it also allows the user to overcome the clutter in the desktop by introducing three new features Aero Peek, Aero shake and snap.
Home networking has been made much easier than its previous operating systems and is probably safe from hackers.

Disadvantages

Some of the users are not satisfied with the new features, because, they need to buy out additional resources such as RAM, etc to make use of them.
It is expensive than the previous Microsoft operating systems.
Some of the users have problems such as; their system hangs after installing Windows 7.
If the user has got an HP multifunction printer, and its driver being upgraded to the Windows 7, then the printer doesn’t response to the print commands. So, the user needs to go to the new HP solution Center to resolve this problem.
Windows have specific themes for United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, South Africa and Australia, if the user is not from the above country and he wish to have a specific theme of his country, he will not get that, hence the user will not satisfied with that feature.
Some of the features like Start Menu user interface, Windows Ultimate Extras, InkBall, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Calendar Windows Mail called Windows Live Essentials were included in Vista are removed in Windows 7.

Windows 7 Tips & Tricks

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Nor Azniza 3101004211) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:32:00 +0000

Check Windows Version

Windows Version tells the exact Build of OS and service Pack you are using. You can simply check it by using Winver Command. Open Run Dialog box by using Win+R and type "Winver" there without quotes. This will bring a Windows which has OS details such as Windows details.

Alternatively you can also use the Command prompt to find the information. Type "Winver" in command prompt. It would display all details in command prompt.

Display Multiple Clocks in System Tray

Many users need to keep track of time in multiple time zones, there's a nice feature in Windows 7 to help users keep track of time in Multiple Time zones. The feature is multiple clocks in your system tray. This feature can display up to 3 clocks in your taskbar from 3 different Time Zones.

Dock Windows to Left Right Up down

Windows 7 comes with an interesting feature through which managing all the open Windows becomes easy. Document and program management is simplifies by allowing "docking" a window or changing its size with a simple key combo or a mouse click.

To dock half size window on Left Side of Screen :
Mouse action : Drag the Window to left
Keyboard action : Press Win + Left Arrow

To dock half size window on Right Side Screen :
Mouse action : Drag the Window to Right
Keyboard action : Press Win + Right Arrow

To maximize window on screen :
Mouse action : Drag the Window to top
Keyboard action : Press Win + Up Arrow

To minimize window on Screen :
Mouse action : Click minimize at the program
Keyboard action : Press Win + Down Arrow

Find out How Healthy Your Battery is on Your Laptop

Windows 7 has a feature through which we can find out exactly how much battery you are actually getting from your laptop battery, i.e. its efficiency, maximum charge potential.
It's a well-known fact that as the age of lithium battery increases its charging capacity decreases and it won't charge to its full potential as when it's new. We can find out exactly how much the battery of laptop is giving now. We can use the power energy to find out how health your battery is.

Open elevated command prompt by and start it with administrator privileges.
Type "powercfg energy" into the command prompt & press Enter.
The command enables tracing for 60 seconds & would collect all the data after observing the system behavior.
After analysis it would generate a report.

The energy report is generated in HTML format in the directory shown in the command prompt.

Cmd Prompt Address\energy-report.html by default.

In the HTML file, scroll to the end till you get information like this :

This shows the battery ID, Manufacturer name, Chemistry, Design capacity and most importantly the last full charge.

Find your Computer Up time

A trick for all who would like to know how long since they haven't shut down your computer.

Go to Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
Go to performance tab
In the system Information you can check out the uptime in the format Day : Hour : Minute : Second

You can track your computer uptime easily now.

On Screen Keyboard

You can simply take advantage of on screen keyboard utility provided by Microsoft to type without using keyboard. It will bring a keyboard on your desktop and you can use your mouse pointer to click to type any key.

Use Win + R key to get Run dialog box
Write "OSK" and press enter
Your on screen keyboard is at your service

Alternatively you can find the same in "StartMenu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Ease of Access -> On screen Keyboard"

Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

FROM DESKTOP

Windows Key + Tab = Aero [press Tab to cycle between Windows]
Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer is launched
Windows Key + R = Run Command is launched
Windows Key + F = Search (which is there in previous Windows versions too)
Windows Key + X = Mobility Center
Windows Key + L = Lock Computer
Windows Key + U = Ease of Access
Windows Key + P = Projector
Windows Key + T = Cycle Super Taskbar Items
Windows Key + S = OneNote Screen Clipping Tool
Windows Key + M = Minimize all Windows
Windows Key + D = Show/Hide Desktop
Windows Key + Up = Maximize Current Window
Windows Key + Down = Restore Down / Minimize current Windows
Windows Key + Left = Tile current Window to the left
Windows Key + Right = Tile current Windows to the right
Windows Key + # = Quicklaunch
Windows Key + = =Magnifier

FROM WINDOWS EXPLORER

Alt + Up = Go up one level
Alt + Left/Right = Back/Foward

Windows 7 Continues To Dig Into XP’s Market Share

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:31:00 +0000

Another year, another massive loss for Windows XP. It seems like consumers are finally starting to pay heed to Microsoft’s message to ditch the OS that is now well over a decade old. And while Windows XP is losing big time, Windows 7 is gaining all its market share and more.

Going by the latest results from Net Applications, Windows XP lost 2.4 percent of the market in December leaving it with an average of just 46.5 percent of the market for the end of 2011, this fall matches the record drop the OS also suffered in October 2011. It’s still quite impressive that Windows XP has managed to hold onto such a large percentage of the market after so long, but it’s a big drop when you remember that XP started of 2011 with nearly 58 percent of the market.

Windows 7 on the other hand has been rapidly growing as it has been since its release, not only is it robbing market share from XP, but it’s also eating into Windows Vista’s as well. It gained 2.4 percent last month to reach 37 percent of the market, and in the same four months at the end of the year that Windows XP lost 5.9 percent, Windows 7 gained 6.4 percent. Considering that Windows 7 only started off with 23 percent of the market in 2011, it’s a good jump.

Windows Vista is very very slowly dropping in market share while OS X is holding pretty much steady. Of course we’ll probably see quite a big boost for Windows 7 again when the results come in for January as all those PC’s that were purchased over the holiday season come online and more and more Windows XP machines are made redundant.

It’s still worth remember that internationally, Windows XP is still the most used OS. However in the US Windows 7 has already replaced it as the most used OS, so it’s really only a matter of time before XP is finally knocked off it’s throne.

Windows 7 System Requirements

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:38:00 +0000

If you want to run Windows & on your PC, here's what it takes:
1 gigahert (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

PCs with multi-core processor:
Windows 7 was designed to work with today's multi-core processor. All 32-bit versions of windows 7 can support up 32 processor cores, while 64-bits version can support up to processor cores.

PCs with multiple processor (CPUs):
Commercial servers, workstations, and other high-end PCs may have more than one physical processor. Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and ultimate allow for two physical processors, providing the best performance on these computer. Windows 7Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium will recognize only one physical processor.

Device runs on Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:07:00 +0000

Windows 7 introduces a collection of new features to improve how users discover and use devices that are connected to their PC. These new user features are supported by system and platform features that define how device makers present their devices and related applications and services in Windows.

Devices and Printers
Devices and Printers make it easy for users to view and use the devices that are connected to their computer. Users can open Devices and Printers in two ways: through Control Panel or by clicking the Start button. Devices and Printers give users a device-centric experience in Windows 7. Through a new set of XML schemas that are supported in Windows 7, device makers can customize how the device is described and presented in Windows.

Device Stage
Device Stage provides a new way for users to interact with eligible devices in Windows 7. It includes a visual interface that makes it easy for customers to find and use applications and services for their devices. Device Stage also provides a multifunction version of AutoPlay for certain eligible devices. Device makers that develop device experiences for Device Stage use a new set of XML schemas to specify rich branding and customization of the interface, including defining custom tasks to install software and links to services. Device makers can update their custom Device Stage experiences by submitting updates to Microsoft for distribution across the Internet to PCs running Windows 7. The Microsoft Device Experience Development Kit provides information and material you need to know to develop Device Stage experiences for eligible devices. For portable devices, Device Stage supports the industry-standard Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) 1.0 with new device services that enable a new rich set of features in Windows 7.

Device Containers
Grouping one or more device functions into a single device container lets Windows 7 represent these functions as a single "piece of plastic." This closely aligns with the user's perception of the physical device. For example, a multifunction printer (MFP) with printer, scanner, fax, copier, and storage functions can appear in Devices and Printers as a single icon. Users can then interact with applications and services that are related to all the functions of this MFP through the Device Stage interface. In Windows 7, device containers are generated for existing hardware, whereas device makers can take advantage of the extended Plug and Play interface to create device containers that are explicitly for new devices.

Device Metadata System

In Windows 7, the Device Metadata System provides an end-to-end process for device makers to define and distribute device metadata packages. These packages contain device experience XML documents that represent the properties of the device and its functions, together with applications and services that support the device. Through these XML documents, Devices and Printers and Device Stage present users with an interface that is specific to the device. Windows Online Quality Services (Winqual) validates device experience XML documents and signs device metadata packages. Windows Metadata and Internet Services (WMIS) distributes new or revised device metadata packages that device makers submit through Winqual. Windows 7 uses WMIS to discover, index, and match device metadata packages to specific devices that are connected to user PCs. Device makers can also distribute device metadata packages directly to user PCs through their own Setup applications.

This example device can run on windows 7

How To Install Windows 7

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:44:00 +0000

Step 1 - Place Windows 7 DVD in your dvd-rom drive and start your PC. Windows 7 will start to boot up and you will get the following progress bar.

Step 2 - The next screen allows you to setup your language, time and currency format, keyboard or input method. Choose your required settings and click next to continue.

Step 3 - The next screen allows you to install or repair Windows 7. Since we are doing a clean install we will click on "install now".

Step 4 - Read the license terms and tick I accept license terms. Then click next to continue.

Step 5 - You will now be presented with two options. Upgrade or Custom (Advanced). Since we are doing a clean install we will select Custom (Advanced).

Step 6 - Choose where you would like to install Windows 7. If you have one hard drive you will get a similar option to the image below. You can click next to continue. If you have more that one drive or partition then you need to select the appropriate drive and click next. If you need to format or partition a drive then click Drive options (advance) before clicking next.

Step 7 - Windows 7 starts the installation process and starts copying all the necessary files to your hard drive as shown on the image below.

Step 8 - It will go through various stages of the setup and will reboot your system few times.

Step 9 - When your PC reboots it attempts to boot from DVD as its the first boot device. Do not press any key during the boot prompt so Windows 7 will continue with the installation by booting from the hard drive.

Step 10 - After the reboot your computer will be prepared for first use.

Step 11 - At this stage you need to choose a user name and computer name. Click next to continue. The user account you create here is the Administrator account which is the main account for your Windows 7 that has all the privileges.

Step 12 - Choose your password and password hint just incase you forget your password and need to jog your memory.

Step 13 - You can now type the product key that came with Windows 7 and click next. If you do not enter the product key you can still proceed to the next stage. However Windows 7 will run in trial mode for 30 days. You must therefore activate Windows within 30 days otherwise you can not access your computer after 30 days.

Step 14 - Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically. Choose Use recommended settings.

Step 15 - Review your time and date settings. Select your time zone, correct the date and time and click next to continue.

Step 16 - Select your computer's current location. If you are a home user then choose Home network otherwise select the appropriate option.

Step 17 - Windows will now finalize the settings for your computer and restart.

Step 18 - After the final restart Windows 7 will start to boot up.

Step 19 - Finally you have the logon screen. Just type your password and press enter or click on the arrow to logon to Windows 7 for the first time.

Step 20 - After you have logged on to Windows 7 for the first time, you will see similar desktop to the image below. At this point you can start using your computer. However it may not be fully configured. You need to make sure that all the hardware is detected correctly and the necessary device drivers are installed. This can be done from the device manager.

Step 21 - To go to device manager click - Start Menu -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> System -> Device Manager. You will see all your hardware listed as shown on the image below. You need to check if you have any yellow exclamation marks next to the name of the devices, similar to "Multimedia Audio Controller" on the image below. This indicates that the driver has not been installed for this device.

At this stage you can install the driver for this device. To do so, Right Mouse click on Multimedia Audio Controller -> Update Driver Software.

Step 22 - You can choose to "Search automatically for updated driver software" or "Browse my computer for driver software". If you have the driver CD or if the driver is on a USB drive then choose "browse my computer for driver software". Window 7 will search and install the driver from the CD or you can locate the driver manually.

Once you have removed all the yellow exclamation marks from the device manager your Windows 7 configuration would be fully complete.

Step 23 - Finally check if you have successfully activated Windows 7. Click Start Menu -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> System. You will get a window similar to the image below. Towards the bottom you will see Windows is activated followed by your product ID. This shows that your copy of Windows 7 is fully activated.

Windows 7 Edition

team.blog.os@gmail.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:55:00 +0000

Windows 7 is available in six different editions, of which the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions are available for retail sale to consumers in most countries. The other editions are not available in retail. The Starter edition is only available preinstalled by OEMs on new PCs, the Enterprise edition only by volume licensing, and Home Basic only to certain developing countries' markets.

Each edition of Windows 7 includes all of the capabilities and features of the edition below it. All editions support the IA-32 processor architecture and all editions except Starter support (x86-64) processor architecture. The installation media is the same for all the consumer editions of Windows 7 that have the same processor architecture, with the license determining the features that are activated, and license upgrades permitting the subsequent unlocking of features without re-installation of the operating system.

This is the first time Microsoft has distributed 2 DVDs (1 DVD for IA-32 processor architecture, the other DVD for x86-64 processor architecture) for each edition of Windows 7 (Except for Starter and Home Basic; some OEM copies have only DVD for IA-32 architecture; the installation DVD of Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit edition is not included but can be obtained from Microsoft.).

Users who wish to upgrade to an edition of Windows 7 with more features can then use Windows Anytime Upgrade to purchase the upgrade, and unlock the features of those editions. Some copies of Windows 7 have restrictions, in which it must be distributed, sold, or bought and activated in the geographical region specified in its front cover box.
Windows 7 is also currently available as an embedded version to developers (previously Windows Embedded 2011).

Simplifies everyday tasks	Windows XP	Windows Vista	Windows 7
Multitask more easily.
Chat and share with free photo, e-mail, and IM programs.
Browse the web easily and more safely.
Find files and programs instantly.
Open programs and files you use most in a click or two.
Connect to any available wireless network in just three clicks.
Navigate lots of open windows more quickly.
Easily share files, photos, and music on your home network.
Print to a single printer from any PC in the house.
Manage printers, cameras, and other devices better.
Organize lots of files, documents, and photos effortlessly.
Works the way you want
Personalize your desktop with themes and photos.
Connect to company networks more securely.
Fully compatible with 64-bit PCs.
Run Windows XP business programs.
Built-in defense against spyware and other malware.
Help keep your data private and secure.
Manage and monitor your children’s PC use.
Designed for faster sleep and resume.
Improved power management for longer battery life.
Makes new things possible
Watch and record TV on your PC.
Create and share movies and slide shows in minutes.
Get the most realistic game graphics and vivid multimedia.
Stream music, photos, and videos around your house.
Connect to your home PC media library while you're away.
Touch and tap instead of point and click.