How to Add or Remove Operating System features in Windows 7

This how-to article details how to add or remove operating system features in Windows 7. This can be useful if there are features unnecessarily installed in Windows 7, or if there are features missing or required.

1. Click on the Start button in the bottom left, then choose Control Panel.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Click on Programs  on the bottom left.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click on Turn Windows features on or off and allow or grant permission if prompted.
   
   
   
   
   
4. To remove an unwanted Windows feature, uncheck the box next to it and click OK.
5. To add a feature, check the box next to it and click OK.
   
   
   
   
   

Change the Autoplay Settings in Windows 7

This how-to article details changing the Autoplay settings in Windows 7. This can be useful if: when a disc or drive is attached to the system, the system performs and undesired task, such as automatically beginning to play an audio CD.

1. Click on the Start button in the bottom left of your screen, then in the Search programs and files box type in “autoplay” without the quotes. Press Enter.
   
   
   
   
   
2. On the new window, locate the item to be changed. For this example, an Audo CD will be changed to have windows ask every time what to do, instead of playing automatically or any other action.
3. Click on the option dropdown next to the item to be changed.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Choose the option required for that particular item.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Make any additional changes required, then click on Save in the bottom right to finalize the settings.

How to Backup Your Windows Live Mail Senders List

This document will assist in the back up of the Blocked senders list from the Junk Mail on both Windows Live Mail and Windows Mail. This will make it easy to transfer to a new computer.

To create a copy of your Windows Live Mail or Windows Mail blocked senders list:

1. Go to your Windows Live Mail or Windows Mail settings in the Windows registry.
2. To locate your Windows Live Mail settings in the Windows registry, type "regedit" in the Start menu's Start Search box.
3. Click regedit under Programs.
4. Scroll down the registry tree to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\­Software\­Microsoft\­Windows Live Mail.
5. Expand the Junk Mail key.
6. Click on the Block Senders List key.
7. Select File » Export from the menu.
8. Change the location to the directory where you want to keep the backup copy of your Windows Live Mail or Windows Mail blocked senders list.
9. Type "Blocked Senders" in the File Name box.
10. Click Save.

Find Your Windows Mail Settings in the Windows Registry:

1. Type "regedit" in in the Start menu's Start Search box.
2. Click regedit under Programs.
3. Travel down the registry tree to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\­Software\­Microsoft\­Windows Mail.
4. Expand the Junk Mail key.
5. Click on the Block Senders List key.
6. Select File » Export from the menu.
7. Change the location to the directory where you want to keep the backup copy of your Windows Live Mail or Windows Mail blocked senders list.
8. Type "Blocked Senders" in the File Name box.
9. Click Save.

How to Improve the Gaming Performance of Your Graphics Card

The overall goal of increasing the performance of a graphics card is to increase the frames per second (fps) at which a game operates. This can be achieved multiple ways. Some suggestions are as follows:

1. Change the video settings in the game.
   Going into the video settings and lowering some of them can greatly increase the fps of the game. Settings to lower include:
   
   • Resolution
   • Texture Quality
   • Bit Depth
   • Shadowing
   • Effects
2. Remove background processes.
   Though the card may be operating at a high level, there may be programs slowing down Windows, which can decrease your fps. To remove background processes:
   
   
   • Check for icons in the Notification Area (by default this is located to the left of the clock in the bottom right corner of the screen). Just right-click on icons for programs not currently in use, and select the Exit or Close option.
3. Update your graphics card drivers.
   The graphics card manufacturer generally has the latest updates.
   

How to Open Elevated Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges in Windows 7

Certain tasks in Windows require running Command Line commands with administrator privileges. In order to do this, you need to be able to elevate the command prompt to administrator privileges. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Click on Start, then All Programs, then Accessories.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Right-click on Command Prompt.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click on Run as administrator.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Now you should get a command line prompt, allowing you to run text commands with administrator privileges.
   
   
   
   
   

How to Configure Windows 7 HomeGroup

You will need to have a working either Ethernet or wireless network setup (all computers should be able to access the Internet). Also, all computers need to be running Windows 7.

1. On one of the computers that you has files you want to access, click on the Start button, then Control Panel.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Once that opens you will need to click on Choose homegroup and sharing options under the Network and Internet heading.
   
   
   
3. Now a window will open up, prompting you to share with other home computers.Click on Create a homegroup.
   
   
   
   
   
4. You will now be prompted to select the items you would like to share. Please make your selection then click on Next.
   
   
   
5. Now you will be given a password to allow other computers in your network to access the files you are sharing. Once you have written this down, click Finish.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Your HomeGroup is now created.
7. On the other computers in your network you will need to click on Start then Control Panel.
   
   
   
8. Once that opens you will need to click on Choose homegroup and sharing options under the Network and Internet heading.
   
   
   
9. Now you will be prompted to join the HomeGroup that is on your network. Click on Join now.
   
   
   
10. Now you will need to enter the password that was given to you when you created your HomeGroup, then click Next.
    
    
    
    
    
11. You should now be connected to the HomeGroup. Click Finish.
    
    
    
12. Now if you open My Computer, you will see the HomeGroup on the tree list on the left.
    
    
    
    
    All of your shared files will be in that list.

How to Set Up a Tenda Router as a Repeater

This guide shows you how to setup a Tenda router as a repeater. These instructions require that you already have a working Tenda router. If you don't have your Tenda router configured, consult the Tenda documentation on setup.

For the purpose of these instructions, the router that is hooked up to the modem will be identified as "Router 1", and the second router will be identified as "Router 2" which will be setup as the repeater. Before starting, you need to have a wired connection to both routers using a computer and any available yellow port.

1. Connect the computer to Router 2 using an Ethernet cable. Go from the computer to the yellow port on the router.
2. Once connected, open your web browser and type in the address bar "192.168.0.1". Press Enter.
   
   
   
3. You will be prompted for a username and password unless they have been changed from the default. The default username and password is "admin" without quotes.
4. Under SSID, change Tenda to Tenda 1 to identify it as Router 1.
   
   
   
   IMPORTANT: Make note of which channel the router is using. Both routers need to be using the same channel. You can change the channel by using the drop down menu and clicking Apply to save the change.
   
   
5. Click on WLAN settings from the menu on the left side. The sub categories will be revealed. Click on WDS Settings.
   
   
   
   
6. In the WDS settings menu, select Lazy Mode from the drop down menu. Click Apply.
   
   
   
   
7. Next, configure the existing router that is currently connected to the modem. Start by connecting the computer to the router using any available yellow port. Open up a new web page and type in "192.168.0.1" in the address bar. Use the term "admin" for the username and password.
   
   
   
8. Select WLAN Settings, then WDS Settings. Select Repeater from the drop down menu.
   
   
   
   
9. Choose Open Scan. All of the available routers in your local area will be displayed. Select Tenda 1 router, then click Apply.
   The router will reboot. Once it reboots, the MAC address from the second router
   will be displayed.

What is eSATA?

External SATA, also known as eSATA was standardized in 2004 as a means of connecting external hard drives to the SATA bus, as USB 2.0 was limited to 480Mbps and Firewire was limited to 400Mbps. External SATA uses a different type of connector that does not have the L-Shape of a typical SATA drive and has recessed pins to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge.

On the left is a typical SATA connector. On the right is an eSATA connector

An external power source is required for an eSATA connection, and so most eSATA hard drives or drive enclosures provide their own source of power for the drive in use.

An example of an eSATA port

Images from Wikipedia, released under the GNU license: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

How to Upgrade from Windows 7 32-Bit (x86) to 64-Bit (x64)

Direct upgrade from 32-bit (x86-based) operating system of either Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 to 64-bit (x64-based) Windows 7 OS is not a supported upgrade paths to Windows 7. When the user tries to run 64bit setup.exe Windows 7 installer from within 32bit operating system, the following error message will occur.

If the user attempts to run the setup.exe stored in the root and “sources” folder of DVD disc media or ISO image, the following error will occur:

The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you’re running. Check your computer’s system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher.

So how to “upgrade” from 32-bit OS to 64-bit Windows 7? Unfortunately, there is no direct way to perform an in-place upgrade from 32-bit operating system such as x86 Windows XP or x86 Windows Vista to x64 Windows 7, with existing application programs and data retained. The only way to install x64-based Windows 7 on existing 32-bit Windows installation (or vice versa to downgrade from 64-bit to 32-bit OS), is to do a clean install, which indicated by “Custom (advanced)” installation during set up Windows 7 installation wizard.

Here’s the brief guide for user who wishes to upgrade to 64-bit platform from a 32-bit Windows:

1. Backup and save existing application settings and data to migrate to new system with Windows Easy Transfer. Note that installed programs won’t be migrated or ported over to new Windows. Alternatively, just manually do a backup and copying of all data files and personal documents, photos, images, videos, bookmarks and etc.
2. Boot and start up computer using the 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 installation DVD disc media or a Windows 7 install USB key flash drive. Setting correct device boot sequence may be required at BIOS. Check out how to access BIOS. User who has Windows 7 ISO should burn the image to a physical disc with a CD/DVD optical burning software such as Nero and Ashampoo Burning Studio, or uses official Windows 7 DVD/USB ISO Download Tool to create bootable Windows 7 USB flash key drive or write to DVD. In Windows 7, it’s also possible to burn the ISO direct from Windows 7 Explorer without third-party software. User with x86 setup1.box and setup2.box ESD Windows 7 installation files or x64 setup1.box and setup2.box ESD Windows 7 installation files should follow steps to create and make a bootable ISO prior to burning.
3. When prompted by Set up Windows installation wizard, select Custom (advanced).
   
   
   
   
   
   The user is free to create, delete, modify, create or format partition volumes and hard disk drives before continuing the setup installation of Windows 7. If user choose to install over a partition or drive with existing Windows, user will be informed that current installation of Windows will be moved to Windows.old directory.
4. Install and activate Windows 7 as usual.

Tip: For end-user with a Windows 7 upgrade license, media and product key, an existing installation of Windows must exist for the upgrade version product key to be able to entered and activated properly. Thus, do not format the hard disk drive prior to loading the Windows 7 setup even if you intend to clean install, or else user has to use hack to complete the clean install the Windows 7 Upgrade. The user can create or delete hard disk drive or partition during the setup via Custom (advanced) » Drive options (advanced) option (note: a 100 MB system reserved partition may be created by Windows 7 Setup), or let Windows 7 install wizard backup the existing configuration to Windows.old folder, and then delete and wipe clean the whole partition volume prior to install Windows 7.

32-bit setup installer can be read and run in 64-bit operating system, but the in-place “downgrade” is equally not supported, with the following error been shown in compatibility report after a run of compatibility check:

The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.

 - You can’t upgrade 64-bit Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 64-bit version of the installation disc, or go online to see how to install Windows 7 and keep your files and setting.

The above workaround to clean install Windows 7 works to downgrade from 64-bit to 32-bit Windows 7 too.

Reference:
Microsoft Support. 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions. http://bit.ly/aP3wnH

Microsoft Support. Windows 7 installation problems: frequently asked questions. http://bit.ly/fV9w15

Microsoft Support. Installing and reinstalling Windows 7. http://bit.ly/4Ajb6C

How to Setup an Email Account in Windows 7

This tutorial will show you how to get an email account set up in Windows 7, including the download and installation of the free Windows Live Mail program.

1. Visit the Windows Live Mail Download Page and click on the blue Download Now button to start the download.
2. When prompted to Run or Save the file, choose the Run option and wait a moment as the file downloads.
3. Click the Open or Run button to run the file and start the installer and wait a moment as the installer opens.
4. When prompted with the Choose The Programs You Want to Install screen, check the boxes of the free Microsoft programs you wish to install. If you are unfamiliar with these programs or do not want them, ensure that only the Mail box is checked and click on Install across the bottom.
   
   
   
   
   
5. If prompted to Please Close These Programs, make sure all open documents are saved and choose the Close These Programs For Me option, then click Continue.
6. Wait a few moments as the installer downloads and installs the Windows Live Mail application.
   
   
   
   
   
7. When the screen displays the You’re Almost Done message, check or uncheck the boxes as you wish and then click Continue. If you are not sure which boxes to check, just uncheck them all and click Continue.

The Download and Install Process is now complete. Now you will learn how to set up an email account.

1. To open the new program, click on the start button in the bottom left and in the Search Programs and Files box, type in "Windows Live Mail" without the quotes and press enter. The program will open.
2. If you want to make a shortcut of the program on your desktop, follow the instructions from the last step but do not press enter after typing in the name. Instead, right click on the Windows Live Mail icon and choose "Send To » Desktop (Create Shortcut)".
3. When the program opens, you will be prompted to enter your E-Mail account information. If you do not have this information, contact your E-Mail provider or your Internet Service Provider.

That’s it! Once your account information is in, your E-Mail account will be set up on your new computer.

Notebook FAQs

Q: What is a Recovery Disc or an Operating System Disc?
A: The Recovery Disc or Operating System Disc is used when the Operating System has become unusable, due to file corruption, virus or hardware malfunction.

Q: Are any of the pre-installed applications removable?
A: Yes, any software is removable by accessing the Add or Remove Programs control in Windows XP, or Programs and Features control in Windows 7.

Q: Is Up-To-Date Security Software Necessary?
A: Security software is recommended to prevent data loss, as well as theft of personal information. If this security is not kept up to date, newly created Viruses, Worms, Trojans and other threats will have easy access to the system. We recommend ESET NOD32 or ESET Smart Security to keep your computer secure.

Q: What is DVD-RAM?
A: DVD-RAM is a re-writable DVD that can be rewritten hundreds of thousands of times. Typically DVD-RAM discs will not play in standard DVD Players. It is often used in Video Cameras.

Q: Why are Back-Ups necessary?
A: Keeping an up-to-date back-up of your computer is critical if you have files on the system that you do not want to lose. If your computer gets hit by a bad virus or the hard drive crashes, you may lose all information on the computer. Keeping information saved on an external hard drive using backup software ensures that it will always be available.

Q: What is a HomeGroup?
A: A HomeGroup is an easy way to share files, printers and other resources when multiple Windows 7 computers are connected to one router.

Q: Where is the Microsoft Office product key?
A: To obtain the Microsoft Office product key, activate the trial by clicking the 60-day trial icon located on the desktop, or Activation Assistant icon in the Microsoft Office folder found in the Start Menu.

Q: Where can I see how much battery life is left?
A: In the system tray in the bottom right corner of the screen there is a battery or power icon that will show how much charge is left in the battery, as well as whether or not it is currently charging.

Adjusting AA/AF Settings with an nVidia Graphics Card

Anti-aliasing or AA removes parts of the video signal that are at a higher frequency than the monitor is setup to show. It will take areas of the image that would cause artifacts to appear on the screen and slightly blurs them to create a smoother appearance.

Antistropic Filtering or AF enhances the quality of textures on viewed surfaces that are at an oblique angle to the camera. When rendering detail at these angles, Antistropic Filtering reduces blur and preserves detail. These settings can have a substantial impact on what you see on the screen especially in PC Games.

1. Open the nVidia control panel by right-clicking on the desktop and choosing nVidia Control Panel.
   
   
   
   
   Note: If this option is not available, visit www.nvidia.com and download the latest drivers for your graphics card.
2. Ensure that the nVidia Control Panel display mode is on Advanced Settings.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Once set to Advanced Settings, choose Manage 3D Settings on the left, under the 3D Settings category.
   
   
   
   
   
4. On the Manage 3D Settings screen, change the Antistropic Filtering to the desired setting.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Change the Anti-aliasing – Mode to Override Any Application Setting.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Change the Anti-aliasing – Setting to the desired setting.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Click the Apply button at the bottom to save the settings.

How to Change your Router Password

It's important to keep your computer and your network secure. When connecting to the Internet through a router, one of the steps you can take is replacing the default router username and password with one that is unique to you. This helps to prevent unauthorized changes to your network, and creates an added layer of security. This document contains information specific to Linksys routers but the steps are largely the same. If you have questions that are not answered in this document, we recommend you look in the manual that came with your router.

This guide will show you how to change the Username and Password used to log in to your router.

1. Make sure your computer is connected to the router via cable or wirelessly.
2. Open Internet Explorer.
3. In the address bar located at the top of the screen, erase whatever address is in the bar and replace it with "192.168.1.1" without the quotes. Note that some routers use the address "192.168.0.1" so if it does not work right away, try the second option.
   
   
   
   
   
4. When prompted for a username and password, enter "admin" without the quotes for both the username and the password. Note that some routers differ in their default username and password. If that fails, check the manual that came with your router.
5. Once logged in, choose the Administration tab on the top, seen selected in the figure below. Note that in some routers it may be on a "Setup" or "Configuration" screen. The example seen here is on a Linksys router.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Erase the existing Router Password and type in the new one. Re-Enter your password to Confirm. We recommend you write this information down and store it in a safe place.
7. Click the Save Settings or Apply button on the bottom to finalize.
That's it! The new username and password are entered. Test it out by restarting your computer and then following steps 1-3 and then entering your new username and password.