Windows Key Shortcuts

On the list below you can find a useful windows key shortcuts:
You can use this keys only on Windows keyboards
(To check if you are working on Windows keyboard check if  you have Win Key on your keyboard - Its located between the Ctrl and Alt keys):

Win key

Win key - Displays the Start Menu
Win key + D - Minimize all your open windows (if you click on the keys again it will restore all the windows back to their last state)
Win key + E - Open the Windows Explorer window
Win key + L - Locks your machine
Win key + F - Open the Find files window
Win key + R - Displays the Run command window
Win key + TAB - Switching between the open windows (Aero mode)
Alt + TAB - Switching between the open windows (Standard mode)
Win key + U - Displays the Utility Manager window
Win key + PAUSE - Displays the System Properties window

Control Panel Tools (*.cpl files)

Each tool in Control Panel is represented by a *.cpl file in the Windows\System32 folder. The .cpl files in the Windows\System32 folder are loaded automatically when you start Control Panel.
Instead of opening the control panel with all the tool you can open specific tool by using the *.cpl file from the command line.


On the list below you can find useful *.cpl file (command line shortcuts).
To run this commands open the run window (Win Key + R)

or run them from the search line (Win Key):

Appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs properties
Desk.cpl - Display properties
Inetcpl.cpl - Internet properties
Intl.cpl - Regional Settings properties
Joy.cpl - Game controllers properties
Main.cpl - Mouse properties
Mmsys.cpl - Sound properties
Ncpa.cpl - Network properties
Sysdm.cpl - System properties and Add New Hardware wizard
TimeDate.cpl - Date/Time properties
Firewall.cpl - Windows Firewall properties
Hdwwiz.cpl - Device Manager
Wscui.cpl - Action Center

  

How to add the Facebook Stream to your Google+ Profile

The Facebook for Google+ extension allows you to see your Facebook stream inside Google+.

Follow the instructions below to install the Facebook for Google+ extension:

• Click on this link to open the Google Web Store
• Click on the + ADD TO CHROME button (placed on the  top of the right\left corner)

• On the Confirm Installation windows click on the Install button

• Log in to your Google+ account
• Click on the Facebook tab
• Log in to your Facebook account to get your Facebook Stream in to your Google+ account.

How to copy your profile to the Default user profile

In Windows 7 Microsoft decided to disable the ability to copy profiles to the Default profile. The only profile that can be copied is the “Default” profile itself! This prevents to customize a profile and make it to be the Default profile.

Follow the instructions below to bypass this block:

Enable the Show hidden files option

• Click on the Start button > Control Panel 
• Click on the Folder Options 
• Select the View tab 
• Under Files and Folders \ Hidden files and folders > 
• Select the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" option

• Click on the OK button

Download and Run the Windows Enabler application:

• Download and Save the Windows Enabler from this link to your preferred location 
• Unzip the WindowsEnabler.zip file 
• Run the Windows Enabler.exe
• On the Task Bar you will see the following icon
• Click on the icon and it will be changed to the following icon

Copy your customized profile to the Default profile:

• Click on Start > Right click on Computer > Properties
• On the left menu Click on the Advanced System Settings option
• Under Advanced tab > User Profiles > Click on the Settings... button

• Select your profile and Click on the Copy To... button (Its looks like a disabled button)

• The Copy To... button will turn to be enabled

• Click on the Browse button

• Open the C: drive > Open the Users folder > Select the Default folder

• Click on the OK button > and again.
• Click on Yes button on the Confirmation Copy window

          

How to remove the csrcs.exe or csrsc.exe virus from your machine

csrsc.exe is a process which is registered as W32.Spybot.CF Virus. 
DO NOT confuse it with csrss.exe which is an important file used by Windows.
The attackers of this virus can access our computer and gain access to some important data remotely.


Follow the Steps bellow to remove this virus:

• Scan the system with a good and updated Anti Virus.
• Open the Task Manager with the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys, locate the following exe file csrcs.exe or csrsc.exe but not csrss.exe, and kill the process\es.
• Click on Start > Run > 
• Type msconfig in the open box

• Go to the Startup tab.
• Locate the exe file (csrcs.exe or csrsc.exe), if any, and unmark it. 
• Search the file in the C:\ drive.
• Permanently delete the file (csrcs.exe or csrsc.exe only) from the computer.
• Navigate to the following registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\

• On the right side, Locate the key named “Shell”, it may be having a value “explorer.exe csrcs.exe”.
• Modify it to delete the csrcs.exe from it (not explorer.exe).
• Reboot the PC for changes to take place.

How to fix Out Of Office Assistant problem

When you try to configure Out Of Office Assistant from the Tools drop down menu and you get the following error massage:

"The command is not available. See the program documentation about how to use this extension."

Microsoft Office Outlook disables the outex.dll because it's prevented Outlook from functioning correctly (Usually After Crush).

Solution 1:

• Open Outlook > Click on the Help option
• Select the About Microsoft Office Outlook option from the drop down menu.

• Click on the Disable Items button
• Inside the white box you will notice the outex.dll row > click on it to highlight it.

• Click on the Enable button.
• Close and restart the Outlook.

Solution 2:

• Remove the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\OFFICE\11.0\OUTLOOK\Resiliency

How to leave unread emails as unread in Outlook 2003

If you want to leave an unread emails to stay unread until you open it for view in the Reading Pane or it will appear as read after configured period of time.

Follow the instructions below to configure it:

• In Outlook window click on Tools 
• On the drop down menu select Options
• Select the Other tab.

• Click on Reading Pane… Button.
• Mark the check box: Mark items as read when viewed in the Reading Pane.

• Enter wanted time (in seconds) before marking item as read.

How to Uninstall Programs that don't appear in the Add or Remove Programs

If you are trying to install or remove an application that stuck and you can't remove it because it doesn't appear in the Add or Remove programs follow the instructions below to try to solve this issue:

• You need to download the msiinv application from this link
• Create a msiinv folder in drive c: (mkdir msiinv)
• Copy the msiinv.exe file to the msiinv folder
• Open Command prompt window (Start > Run > cmd)
• Navigate to the msiinv folder (cd msiinv)
• Run this command : msiinv.exe –p > c:\msiinv\output.txt
• Open the output.txt file with notepad
• You will see something like this: 

Adobe Reader 9.3

Product code: {AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-A93000000001}

Product state: (5) Installed.

Assignment: per machine

Package code: {72A8F93F-C61D-4F46-A128-E1558F170514}

Version: 9.3.0

Publisher: Adobe Systems Incorporated

Language: 1033

Suggested installation location: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\

Installed from: C:\Documents and Settings\shlomibd\Local Settings\Application Data\Adobe\Updater6\Install\reader9rdr-en_US\

Package: AdbeRdr930_en_US.msi

Product Icon: C:\WINDOWS\Installer\{AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-A93000000001}\SC_Reader.ico

About link: http://www.adobe.com

Help link: http://www.adobe.com/support/main.html

Update link: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

Instance type: 0

Local package: C:\WINDOWS\Installer\fa18d61.msi

Install date: 2010\02\25

0 patch packages.

• To uninstall the Adobe Reader 9.3 we need the product code :
• {AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-A93000000001}

• In Command prompt window Run this command: 
• msiexec /uninstall {AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-A93000000001}
• For more information about the msiexec features type msiexec /? In command prompt window (c:\msiexec /?)
•  For more information about the msiinv features type msiinv /? In command prompt window (c:\msiinv\msiinv /?)

Can't accsess to hard drive from windows browser

When you try to open one of your drives and you get the error massage below:

"Choose the program you want to use to open this file"

Follow the instructions below to solve this issue:

• Click on Start > Run
• On the Open raw type: cmd
• Click on the OK button

• On the Command Prompt Window type the following commands:
• attrib –r –s –h c:\autoran.inf
• del c:\autorun.inf
• Repeat the steps above for every problematic drive (just change the drive letter [c:\ | d:\ | e:\ ] etc)

Can't see icons on the desktop (Windows 7)

If you can't see icons on the desktop or when you create new folder/file on the desktop and it doesn't appear follow the instructions below to solve this issue:

Solution 1:

• Open the task manager by clicking on the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys
• Locate and select the explorer.exe process
• Click on the End Process button

• Open the task manager again by clicking on the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys

• You will get a new Create New task window
• On the Open row type: explorer
• Click on the OK button

Solution 2:

• Right Click on some place on your desktop
• Click on the View option
• Check if the Show desktop icons option is marked if not mark it.

How to fix “Unable to open your default e-mail folders” when you open Outlook

This issue occurs when Outlook is installed in a compatibility mode or if default profile used by Outlook gets corrupted during upgrade\downgrade.

Follow the instructions below to fix this issue:

Solution 1: Check if Outlook is in Compatibility mode:

• Right click on Outlook.exe icon > Click on Properties > Click on Compatibility tab   
• If there are any check boxes marked > unmark them

Solution 2: Delete\Rename the *.ost file

(*.ost it’s a local Exchange cached mode file usually with the name outlook.ost)

• Open Outlook folder by following this location:
• C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook (Windows 7)
• C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook (Windows Xp)
• Delete\Rename the users *.ost file
• Reconfigure user’s email profile.

How to connect iPhone as modem via Bluetooth

• Download Windows Mobile Device Center (Current Version 6.1)
• Link (32bit)
• Link (64bit)
• Run the drvupdate-amd64.exe \ drvupdate-x86.exe according to your operating system
• Manually install Bluetooth Peripheral Devices drivers
• Right click on Computer > click on Manage > Select the Device Manager option
• Under "Unknown Devices" > Right click on "Bluetooth Peeriphral Devices" > Click on the "Update Driver Software"
• Click on "Browse my computer for driver software" option
• Click on "Let me pick from a list of devices drivers on my computer" option
• Select "Bluetooth Radio"
• From the Manufacturer list select "Microsoft Corporation"
• From the "Model" list select "Windows Mobile-based device support" 
• On your iPhone go to "Settings" > "General" >
• "Bluetooth" > Turn ON the Bluetooth
• "Network" > "Personal Hotspot" > Turn ON the Personal Hotspot
• On your computer Right click on the Bluetooth icon
• Select the “Join a Personal Area Network” option >
• Click on the “Add a Device” option > from the Devices list select your iPhone

• Click on the Next button
• You will get a window with a pairing code

• The same number will appear on your iPhone as a pop up message
• Compare the pairing codes between your computer and your iPhone
• Click on the Next button if the numbers are match.
• You will get the window below if the pairing process has ended successfully.