Windows keyboard shortcuts

Here are the keyboard shortcuts for Windows XP through windows 7 ,some probably will work with Windows 8 as well.

Windows system key combinations

• F1: Help
• CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu
• ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs
• ALT+F4: Quit program
• SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently
• Windows Logo+L: Lock the computer (without using CTRL+ALT+DELETE)

Windows program key combinations

• CTRL+C: Copy
• CTRL+X: Cut
• CTRL+V: Paste
• CTRL+Z: Undo
• CTRL+B: Bold
• CTRL+U: Underline
• CTRL+I: Italic

Mouse click/keyboard modifier combinations for shell objects

• SHIFT+right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commands
• SHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu)
• ALT+double click: Displays properties
• SHIFT+DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin

General keyboard-only commands

• F1: Starts Windows Help
• F10: Activates menu bar options
• SHIFT+F10 Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-clicking an object
• CTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item)
• CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu)
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Opens Windows Task Manager
• ALT+DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list box
• ALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window)
• SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run feature
• ALT+SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)
• ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window)
• CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program
• ALT+underlined letter in menu: Opens the menu
• ALT+F4: Closes the current window
• CTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window
• ALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the Notepad Find dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepad window)

Shell objects and general folder/Windows Explorer shortcuts

For a selected object:

• F2: Rename object
• F3: Find all files
• CTRL+X: Cut
• CTRL+C: Copy
• CTRL+V: Paste
• SHIFT+DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin
• ALT+ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object

To copy a file

Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.

To create a shortcut

Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.

General folder/shortcut control

• F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer)
• F5: Refreshes the current window.
• F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer
• CTRL+G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only)
• CTRL+Z: Undo the last command
• CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window
• BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder
• SHIFT+click+Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders

Windows Explorer tree control

• Numeric Keypad *: Expands everything under the current selection
• Numeric Keypad +: Expands the current selection
• Numeric Keypad -: Collapses the current selection.
• RIGHT ARROW: Expands the current selection if it is not expanded, otherwise goes to the first child
• LEFT ARROW: Collapses the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent

Properties control

• CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move through the property tabs

Accessibility shortcuts

• Press SHIFT five times: Toggles StickyKeys on and off
• Press down and hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds: Toggles FilterKeys on and off
• Press down and hold the NUM LOCK key for five seconds: Toggles ToggleKeys on and off
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK: Toggles MouseKeys on and off
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN: Toggles high contrast on and off

Dialog box keyboard commands

• TAB: Move to the next control in the dialog box
• SHIFT+TAB: Move to the previous control in the dialog box
• SPACEBAR: If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a check box, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option.
• ENTER: Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline)
• ESC: Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button
• ALT+underlined letter in dialog box item: Move to the corresponding item

Reference:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/126449

How to release and renew an IP address using ipconfig

Here is a method to release and renew your computers local  ip address from the DHCP server quick and easy.
Click Start ,search for cmd and open cmd.exe (if you use Windows XP then click on Run instead of typing in the search box, and if you use Windows Vista then right-click on cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator.)

Now type the following ipconfig /release and press Enter








When that completes then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter

Type Exit when done to close cmd.

Fixed Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer

If you try to search for Windows Updates and you are using Windows Vista and above you may get this error:
"Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer"

There are two fixes that seem to solve this problem the last one worked for me.

1. If it was caused by a corrupt windows update folder then we need to rename it and then allow windows update to create a new fresh folder (note you will have to install a lot of updates again)

First step is to deactivate the windows update service you can do this by clicking on start and in the run/search box type in cmd  and then right click cmd and choose Run as Administrator.

When cmd opens type net stop wuauserv and press enter you will get a success message.

Leave cmd open for now you, can minimise it.
Lets go to My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows and find the folder named SoftwareDistribution,
right-click this folder and choose rename and name it SoftwareDistribution.old and press enter.

Next step is to go back to cmd and type the following net start wuauserv ,press enter and then type exit to close cmd for good.

You can restart the computer and see if it helped.

If you still have the same problem try the next procedure.

2.This involves updating the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver and you can download the file from here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02219204&cc=nl&lc=en&dlc=en&product
even though it's for HP , I have a Toshiba and it installed and worked fine since most laptops have the same Intel chipset.

Hope this helps anyone and good luck.

net stop wuauserv

net stop wuauserv

clicking on Firefox shortcut icon opens Internet Explorer browser instead.(solved)

When clicking on the mozilla firefox shortcut icon on the desktop or start menu Internet Explorer opens instead, also any links you try to open from programs such as messenger also open in Internet Explorer but in the homepage.
This was a tricky problem even reinstalling firefox didnt really solve it and all the shortcuts pointed to the correct path and firefox was my default Internet Browser.
The correct solution was to fix the Windows OS Default File Association types

You can download them here:
http://malwaretips.com/threads/default-file-association-fixes-windows-xp-vista-7-and-8-tested.12701/

I was using Windows Vista so I did all the registry fixes  like .exe, .com etc and after logging off and on again all was resloved.

Windows Live messenger data execution prevention error Vista

If you have an Acer laptop with Windows Vista installed you might get the Data Execution Prevention error while trying to run windows live messenger.

The fix is to download an update for the eDataSecurity application.

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/notebook/0000/Acer/Aspire1300/Aspire1300faq61.shtml

0xC00D002F error when trying to edit music file in windows Vista

A recent user was trying to edit a music files Genre from the windows Vista music folder but when trying to do this error 0xC00D002F would appear.
The solution seems to be to use the built in Advanced Tag Editor in windows media player ,to do this open media player and click on the media library option then find your file that you want to edit and under the Title section right click on the song and choose Advanced Tag Editor ,editing should now be possible.

The menu looks like this
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/images/howto/AddAlbumInfo12_ATE1.gif

Internet Explorer 8 system requirements

Internet Explorer 8 is finally here ,here are the system requirements from Microsoft.

Computer/Processor

Computer with a 233MHz processor or higher (Pentium processor recommended)

Operating System

Windows Vista 32-bit
Windows Vista 64-bit
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP 1) or higher
Windows XP 32-bit with Service Pack 2 (SP 2) or higher
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows Server 2003 32-bit with SP 2 or higher
Windows Server 2003 64-bit with SP 2 or higher
Windows Server 2008 32-bit or higher
Windows Server 2008 64-bit or higher

Memory

Windows Vista 32-bit – 512 MB
Windows Vista 64-bit – 512 MB
Windows Vista with SP 1 – 512 MB
Windows XP 32-bit with SP 2 or higher – 64 MB
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition – 128 MB
Windows Server 2003 32-bit with SP 2 or higher – 64 MB
Windows Server 2003 64-bit with SP 2 or higher – 128 MB
Windows Server 2008 32-bit – 512MB
Windows Server 2008 64-bit – 512MB

Display

Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors.

Peripherals

Modem or Internet connection; Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device

No Audio Output Device is installed error after installing Windows Vista SP1

After installing the vista SP1 update you might notice that there is no sound and the speaker icon on the system tray displays the following message No Audio Output Device is installed ,what seems to work is to remove the audio driver from Device Manager.
To do this click Start ,Control Panel ,System and Maintenance and then Device Manager on the left pane.
On the Device Manager dialogue box click on the Hardware tab and then Device Manager ,expand the Sound ,video and game controllers section ,right click on the current sound device(Realtek ,Via ,soundblaster etc.)and choose uninstall ,do not check the option Delete the Driver Software for this device unless you have the installation CD or software for your sound device.
After doing this restart the computer and Vista will reinstall the device and the sound will work again.

how to change the Internet Explorer 7 default search engine.

Internet Explorer comes by default with the Microsoft live search ,to change it to your favourite one do the following;
While Internet Explorer is open click on the Search Options drop down tab next to the search bar on the right hand side and choose the option Find More Providers , click on your desired search provider and then when prompted click on Add Provider(make sure you also check the option to make it your default search provider).

how to enable the Run box on windows Vista start menu

To enable the Run box on the start menu like Windows XP has on Windows Vista do the following;
Right-Click the Start button and choose Properties ,then Customize.
In the Customize Start Menu screen check the option Run command and then click OK.

Alternatively you can use the Win + R key command to open Run.

how to open Task Manger Windows Vista

To open Task Manager in vista do the following:
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and click on Task Manger from the Security Box.
A quicker way is to press Ctrl+Shift+Esc and Task Manger will open straight away.

This also works in windows XP

Manage open windows with your keyboard in windows

If you have many open windows at the same time and would like to manage them quicker than what your mouse can do ,keyboard shortcuts are your answer.
Here is a list of the common keyboard shortcut keys in windows ,press each key one at a time.

Minimize a window to your taskbar
ALT, SPACEBAR, N

Maximize a window so it takes up your whole desktop
ALT, SPACEBAR, X

Restore a window so it's visible but doesn't take up your whole desktop
ALT, SPACEBAR, R

Close a window
ALT+F4

Switch to the last window you had open
ALT+TAB

Switch to any window
Hold down the ALT key, and press TAB until the window you want is active

Hope this helps.

how to show hidden devices under device manager in windows XP /Vista

To show hidden devices in device manager do the following;

First go to device manager (Control Panel ,System ,click on the Hardware tab then Device Manager) then click on the view tab and select the option show hidden devices ,

The hidden devices are shown ,this is great for removing older devices which one had or a stubborn device that cannot be removed the normal way.

This also works in Windows Vista

How to add the recycle bin Icon after it has been deleted in Windows Vista

If the recycle bin icon on the Windows Vista desktop has been mistakenly deleted here is how to get it back.
Right-click on an empty space on the desktop and choose personalize ,in the new window select the option on the top left hand corner that says Change desktop icons then go to the Desktop Icon Settings section and check the option Recycle bin ,click OK when done.

How to remove VirusResponse Alert / VirusResponse lab 2009 popup message in Windows Vista

A user got infected with a virus /spyware that installed this annoying program called VirusResponse Alert (which may also be installed as VirusResponse lab 2009)and it would load on startup to scan the system and showing fake results , in some cases a pop up can appear on the taskbar saying that the computer is infected and click here to protect yourself.

The following method worked for me to remove this program ;
I updated Windows Defender ,my Antivirus program and downloaded Combofix.
I then rebooted into Safe-Mode and ran my Antivirus program ,Windows Defender and then Combofix and followed the onscreen instructions when finished Combofix rebooted back into normal windows to finish the removal.
Behold no more VirusResponse Alert problem.

Note: if you don't have Windows Defender you can use a program like Spybot search and destroy.
Try to stay away from the ones that ask you to purchase the product in order to remove the infections ,why pay when there are good ones for free :)

How to remove the Internet Explorer content advisor password

If the Internet Explorer Content Advisor has been enabled and you want to disable it but you have forgotten the password here is how to reset it.

Click on Start ,Run then type regedit.
Once in regedit navigate to the following key;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\policies\Ratings
With Ratings selected look in the right pane for the value called Key ,select and delete it ,close regedit.
To disable the Content Advisor go to Internet Options and click on the Content tab then click on the option to disable ,enter a new password when prompted.

how to take a screenshot of Windows

If you want to take a screenshot of what is on your screen when working with windows here is how to do it.
On your keyboard press the PrintScreen key on your keyboard to take the screenshot then go to your text program like word or even wordpad and then right-click with your mouse (or ctrl+v on keyboard) anywhere on your new document to paste the screenshot.
That's it your done.

search option missing from folders context menu in Vista after installing SP1

After installing SP1 for windows Vista the Search option in the Right -Click folders context menu has been removed.
To fix this go to the registry editor by typing Regedit into the search box of the start menu and then opening it.
Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\find
In the right pane, Right-Click on LegacyDisable and Click Delete , Click Yes to confirm deletion.
Restart the computer and the Search option will be back.

how to open an Office 2007 document with an earlier version

If you try to open a document that was made with a Microsoft Office 2007 program with an earlier version of Office it wont let you.
The solution is to download and install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats.
The document should now work.

how to change display language in windows Vista Home Premium

If you want to change the display language of Windows Vista you will have to get a MUI language pack from Microsoft but that only works with Vista Ultimate and Enterprise editions.
But there is another way that you can get Home Premium and Basic to work too.
Vistalizator is a program that allows you to use the MUI language packs on these other versions and it works great.