Tag: windows

Take The Power Back – Using TAKEOWN Command To Reclaim Ownership of Files & Folders In Windows


Some times when you copy files and folders from one computer to another you may run into permission errors (access denied etc) when accessing or editing them, the TAKEOWN command in the command prompt can solve this quickly and easily, as stated in the documentation, TAKEOWN enables an administrator to recover access to a file that was previously denied, by making you the owner of the file. Continue reading “Take The Power Back – Using TAKEOWN Command To Reclaim Ownership of Files & Folders In Windows”


The Quickest Way To Uninstall Particular Windows Updates

This is a super quick post about how to uninstall certain Windows Updates quickly and easily. Quite often the solution to a Windows problem will involve uninstalling certain Windows Updates which are often identified with a code starting with KB followed by a long series of numbers (eg KB2872339 or KB2882822).

If you were required to, for example, uninstall KB2872339 you could do so by opening the ‘Run’ menu (Windows Key + R) and typing “wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:2872339” (without the quotation marks).

Which Edition Of Windows 10 Will Be Installed As Part Of Free Upgrade?

Windows 7

  • Those of you who currently run Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic or Windows 7 Home Premium will be upgraded to Windows 10 Home.
  • Those of you running Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate will be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro.

Windows 8.1

  • Those of you running Windows 8.1 (the standard edition) will receive Windows 10 Home. And those of you running Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro for Students will receive Windows 10 Pro.
  • On the mobile phone side, if you’re running Windows Phone 8.1, you’ll get Windows 10 Mobile as your free upgrade.

Solved: Facebook Cover Photo Not Uploading

Recently I tried to update the cover photo on my Facebook page. I clicked the ‘Change Cover’ button, attempted to upload a new image and waited…..and waited…..and waited. Nothing. So I tried to do the same thing in three different browsers; Internet Explorer, Firefox & Chrome as I had read that many users solved the problem by doing this. It didn’t work for me though! So I got to messing around with some of my Internet settings for IE and managed to figure it out, Continue reading “Solved: Facebook Cover Photo Not Uploading”

Stop Windows Automatic Reboot After Updates

Occasionally, after the installation of an Automatic Update, Windows will prompt the user to reboot their computer or postpone the reboot for up to 4 hours. This is possibly one of the most annoying of all of Windows “features” as quite often I have been caught off-guard when downloading a large file or leaving the computer for a few minutes only to find that I’ve missed the prompt and the computer has restarted. Which can obviously be extremely frustrating!

Fortunately, it is relatively easy to fix permanently. Continue reading “Stop Windows Automatic Reboot After Updates”

How To Easily Convert A .BIN or .NRG Disc Image To An .ISO

Difficulty figuring out how to convert a .bin or .nrg CD/DVD disc image to an .iso image probably isn’t the most common problem in the computing world, but I figure if you’re reading this then you have just this very issue. If you have no idea what a .iso disc image is then my other article entitled “What are ISO files and how do I use them?” might be worth a read, they’re very handy. Anyway, I’ll keep it short and sweet and demonstrate the most simple and painless way that I have found to resolve this problem.

Read on and follow these 5 super simple steps to .ISO conversion glory. 😛

Continue reading “How To Easily Convert A .BIN or .NRG Disc Image To An .ISO”

Windows Shortcuts That Everyone Should Know

Having used computers for most of my life I have learned a lot of things that I now take for granted. Many of these things I falsely  assumed that most people know but every now and then I watch people who aren’t so computer savvy taking a long time to do the simplest tasks. So I would like to share with everyone a quick list of shortcuts that I use almost every single time I am on the computer. Continue reading “Windows Shortcuts That Everyone Should Know”

Best Free NetStumbler Alternative

A few years back I started dealing with wireless network installations in homes and business. I was relatively new to the technology and one of the tools I found that helped me greatly was NetStumbler. NetStumbler scans for wireless access points and gives you a pretty graph of signal strength so you can move the access points around and test antennas to get the best reception. It was also useful for testing the range of a particular device. Continue reading “Best Free NetStumbler Alternative”

How To Easily Reveal Passwords Hidden Under Asterisks ****

If you work with computers a lot you would have, at some point, forgotten passwords, either online in your web browser or inside Windows applications. Quite often these passwords are saved by Windows and displayed as asterisks * ***. So what do you do if you need to reveal the password that is hidden underneath those asterisks? Continue reading “How To Easily Reveal Passwords Hidden Under Asterisks ****”

Create An ISO File For Windows Updates

Here is a handy program for you tech heads out there. WSUS Offline Update allows you to download Windows Updates for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003/Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 this includes 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the operating systems. As well as Windows Updates it will also download updates for Microsoft’s Office suites. (Office XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007). Continue reading “Create An ISO File For Windows Updates”

How To Access Hidden Themes In Windows 7

Windows 7 offers a great set of themes you can use to customise the look and feel of your computer’s desktop. I’ll bet you didn’t know that there are actually quite a few hidden themes based on locations around the world. By default Windows only displays one of these localised themes based on the country which you are in. Continue reading “How To Access Hidden Themes In Windows 7”

HP Printers – A Warning For Potential Buyers

HP’s C4599, straight from hell?

Normally when I write about a product on my blog it is because it is a great product and I make personal, unbiased recommendations, this will be the first time I am going to advise against purchasing a product. Specifically the C4400 and C4500 series of All-In-One printers from HP.

I am not sure what HP is going to think of this article if they see it but there is no laws against me offering my opinion, so please note this is all this article is. My own opinion. Continue reading “HP Printers – A Warning For Potential Buyers”

Every Windows Key Shortcut You Will Ever Need

Windows Key shortcuts.

The sneaky Windows Key

Tips and shortcuts for easy and efficient PC use.

Following in the foot steps of my Window’s Run Commands article I have decided to give you even more handy tips to make your computing experience much easier and efficient. These shortcuts work in all versions of Windows up to Windows 7!

Below is a list of 12 shortcuts utilising the Windows key on your keyboard (pictured). The shortcuts I have written require you to hold down the Window’s key and press once the letters in the instructions.

Enjoy!

  1. Windows Key – Opens the Start menu.
  2. Windows Key + E – Opens up an Explorer Window.
  3. Windows Key + D – a.k.a The Boss Key – Minimises all Windows and display the desktop, press D again to return all your Windows to normal. (Use this when you are doing dodgy things and the boss walks in the room 🙂 ).
  4. Windows Key + F – Opens the Find dialogue.
  5. Windows Key + L – Locks your PC.
  6. Windows Key + M – Minimises all open Windows.
  7. Windows Key + Shift + M – Returns minimised Windows to their previous state.
  8. Windows Key + R – Opens the Run command box. (Read ‘100 Handy Run Commands’ article).
  9. Windows Key + F1 – Displays the Windows Help menu.
  10. Windows Key + Pause/Break – Displays System Properties.
  11. Windows Key + Tab – Cycles through open Windows (Looks cooler than Alt + Tab in Windows 7).
  12. Windows Key + U – Displays the Utilities Manager.

Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

100 Super Handy Windows Run Commands

Windows Run commands are super handy to know, especially when dealing with computer users over the phone. Trying to talk them through an issue can be difficult enough without worrying about what version of Windows they are running or whether or not they have moved the shortcut to their control panel and all sorts. With the big list compilation below you can access most of Windows important features with simple ‘Start > Run > type in xxx’ instructions to users.

All you need to do is click on ‘Start’ and select ‘Run’, or hold the ‘Windows Key’ down and press ‘R’ and enter the commands listed below.

Enough small talk, I am sure you know what you are looking for so check out my top 100 handy Windows Run Commands. Continue reading “100 Super Handy Windows Run Commands”