Windows Tools, Help & Guides

We like using Sysinternals tools here at Windows Guides; these tools bring core Windows functions together and help you administer to your systems more easily.

In this guide, we’ll cover the basics:

1. What are the Sysinternals tools?
2. How to download and run these tools on your PC
3. Where can I learn more about these tools?

Ever use the Windows Calculator and, because you’re too lazy to write numbers down or commit them to the calculators “memory”, end up with 5 instances of the program running—each with their own numbers that are easily forgotten? Or is that only me?

If you’d like a simple but powerful calculator to perform simple sums, PowerShell may be the tool you are looking for. In this guide, we provide tips for first-time PowerShell users, show you how to perform simple arithmetic using Windows PowerShell, and how to use command history for multi-step calculations and note taking.

Simple Arithmetic with Windows PowerShell

Tip: Open PowerShell by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard, typing power, and pressing the Enter key

PowerShell comes pre-installed on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. If you’re using XP, Vista, or Windows Server 2008/3, download PowerShell here.

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If you’re using Windows Vista or XP, you’ll need to install Windows PowerShell. PowerShell 2.0 works with Vista and Server 2003/8; if you’re on XP, you’ll miss PowerShell 2.0 features and be stuck with version 1.0.

Note: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 come bundled with PowerShell so you don’t need to do anything.

If your PC is in a domain or workgroup where its use is prohibited, speak with your IT administrative staff.

Download PowerShell 2.0 (Vista, Server 2008/3)

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If you’ve ever asked a PC help question in a forum, it’s likely someone suggested you check for corrupted or out of version protected system files. To do this:

1. Open a Command Prompt (Click Start, type cmd, and click cmd.exe.)
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter

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If you run a lot of scripts from the Command Prompt, I’d like to share a quick tip that saves me time every time I open it.

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Ed note: Given that, in July 2011, 29.31% of Windows Guides readers accessed the site using Windows XP, I felt I should update the old “10 Ways to Improve Performance in Windows XP” guide.

If you’re hanging on to Windows XP because you don’t want to buy a new computer, you’re used to the interface, or you just don’t see a need to upgrade, then this guide will help you extend the life of your Windows XP machine by making it more stable and by helping it run more efficiently. This guide will show you how to speed up Windows XP in 11 easy steps.

I highly recommend you create a system restore point before starting.

(Here’s a similar list for Windows Vista and for Windows 7.)

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