Where to Run Commands

Note: see below for an even quicker method for Windows Vista/7/8.

To run the commands, listed below, in Windows XP (can also be used in Windows Vista/7/8):

1. Click the Start button and click Run (or press Winkey+R):

2. Type the command in the Run dialog and click OK (or press Enter.)

To run the commands, listed below, in Windows Vista/7/8, you can also use the Start Menu search function:

Press the Start button (or press the Winkey), type the command, and press Enter.

If the command fails, use steps 1 & 2 above.

Environment Variables

Environment variables can be used to open common folders in Windows. You can even append strings to the end of an environment variable to go directly to a folder i.e. %UserProfile%\Music

Commands to Run

Most of the commands, listed below, will work; however, some commands such as QuickTime.cpl (requires Quick Time) or gpedit.msc (requires Business, Professional, or Ultimate Windows versions) may not run depending on installed components, Windows versions, Windows editions etc.

Command	Launches	XP	Vista/7/8
access.cpl	Accessibility Controls
hdwwiz.cpl	Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl	Device Manager
appwiz.cpl	Add/ Remove Programs
control admintools	Administrative Tools
wuaucpl.cpl	Automatic Updates
fsquirt	Bluetooth Transfer wizard
calc	Calculator
certmgr.msc	Certificate Manager
charmap	Character Map
chkdsk	Check Disk Utility
clipbrd	Clipboard Viewer
cmd	Command Prompt
dcomcnfg	Component Services
compmgmt.msc	Computer Management
control panel	Control Panel
timedate.cpl	Date and Time Properties
ddeshare	DDE Share
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager
directx.cpl	Direct X Control Panel
dxdiag	Direct X Troubleshooter
cleanmgr	Disk Cleanup Utility
dfrg.msc	Disk Defragment
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Management
diskpart	Disk Partition Manager
control desktop	Display Properties / Personalization
desk.cpl	Screen Resolution
control color	Window Color and Appearance
dn /vtsn32	Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
verifier	Driver Verifier Utility
eventvwr.msc	Event Viewer
sigverif	File Signature Verification Tool
findfast.cpl	Findfast
control folders	Folders Properties
fonts OR control fonts	Fonts Folder
freecell	Free Cell Card Game
joy.cpl	Game Controllers
gpedit.msc	Group Policy Editor (Select editions)
mshearts	Hearts Card Game
iexpress	Iexpress wizard
ciadv.msc	Indexing Service
inetcpl.cpl	Internet Properties
Iexplore	Internet Explorer
javaws	Java Control Panel (lf lnstalled)
toy.cpl	Joystick Properties
main.cpl keyboard OR control keyboard	Keyboard Properties
secpol.msc	Local Security Settings (Select versions)
lusrmgr.msc	Local Users and Groups (Select versions)
logoff	Logs You Out Of Windows
winchat	Microsoft Chat
winmine	Minesweeper Game
main.cpl OR control mouse	Mouse Properties
netsetup.cpl	Network Setup Wizard
notepad	Notepad
nvtuicpl.cpl	Nview Desktop Manager(If installed)
packager	Object Packager
odbccp32.cpl	ODBC Data Source Administrator
osk	On Screen Keyboard
ac3filter.cpl	OpensAC3 Filter(If installed)
password.cpl	Password Properties
perfmon	Performance Monitor
telephon.cpl	Phone and Modem Options
powercfg.cpl	Power Management
control printers	Printers and Faxes
printers	Printers Folder
eudcedit	Private Character Editor
QuickTime.cpl	Quicktime Preferences (lf installed)
intl.cpl	Regional Settings
regedit	Registry Editor
regedit32	Registry Editor
mstsc	Remote Desktop
ntmsmgr.msc	Removable Storage
ntmsoprq.msc	Removable Storage Operator Requests
rsop.msc	Resultant Set of Policy (Select versions)
sticpl.cpl	Scanners and Cameras
control schedtasks	Scheduled Tasks
wscui.cpl	Security Center
services.msc	Services
fsmgmt.msc	Shared Folders
shutdown	Shuts Down Windows
mmsys.cpl	Sounds and Audio
spider	Spider Solitare Card Game
cliconfg	SQL Client Configuration
sysedit	System Configuration Editor
msconfig	System Configuration Utility
sfc /scannow	System File Checker(Scan Immediately)
sfc /scanonce	System FC (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanboot	System FC (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /revert	System FC (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /purgecache	System FC (Purge File Cache)
sfc /cachesize=x	System FC (Set Cache Size to size x)
sysdm.cpl	System Properties
Taskmgr	Task Manager
nusrmgr.cpl	User Account Management
utilman	Utility Manager
explorer	Windows Explorer
firewall.cpl	Windows Firewall
magnify	Windows Magnifier
wmimgmt.msc	Windows Management lnfrastructure (WMI)
syskey	Windows System Security Tool
wupdmgr	Windows Update Launches
winver	Windows Version
tourstart	Windows XP Tour Wizard
Write	Wordpad

Which commands did I miss? Let us know in the comments.

I recently learned that you can re-arrange the category arrangement, making it appear just as YOU think it should. It does involve editing the registry, but I’m sure that won’t scare you … much.

This tweak is generally for PRO and ULTIMATE users, but you may still be able to tweak some of the Control Panel Applets on lower versions.

Open RegEdit

1. In your registry editor, navigate to the following key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE|SOFTWARE|Microsoft|Windows|CurrentVersion|Control Panel|Extended Properties|{305CA226-D286-468e-B848-2B2E8E697B74}2
2. In the right pane, find the item that you want to re-categorize. Double click it to bring up its properties box.
   NOTE! Depending on your Windows version of choice, the number of items available in the list may vary – a lot.
3. Change the DWORD value to the number that corresponds to the category where you want to place it (See the list below)

Numbers for each category

• Other Control Panel Options – 0
• Appearance and Themes – 1
• Printers and other Hardware – 2
• Network and Internet Connections – 3
• Sounds, Speed and Audio Devices – 4
• Performance and Maintenance – 5
• Date, Time, Language and Regional Options – 6
• Accessibility Options – 7
• Add or Remove Programs – 8
• User Accounts – 9

Some Vendors only offer the Windows 7 Starter Edition, which in my point of view is a sham to make you pay even more money for your computer. Steer away from these offers I say – unless of course you enjoy NOT being able to change your wallpaper – ever again.

Upgrade on Demand

Buying the computer online (from Dell or HP etc.), you can order it with Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate – but not without the additional cost; you’ll have to pay for that upgrade (Dell charge from $130-$150 Depending on version). Buying from a store, your upgrade choice is the Anytime Upgrade program ($89.95 for Pro or $139.95 for Ultimate).

Is Ultimate, a “must have” ?

Before you shell out the extra money, you might want to first consider why you want or need the higher cost edition. Is it just that one feature you “need” – then, there might be a less expensive way to get its equivalent while still running Windows 7 Home Premium. Let’s take a look at some of the important features that are missing in Home Premium and how you can add similar functionality without upgrading the OS.

Remote Desktop Service

Home Premium has the Remote Desktop Client, letting you connect your HOME computer to another systems desktop, but you are unable to use the Remote Desktop Protocol.

If you are in dire need of a Remote Desktop, there are several free options to choose from – without paying the extra $80-$150.

• Join.me (The free Remote Desktop App from LogMeIn.com – Our Review)
• LogMeIn.com – full version Remote Desktop Application which has a Free account and several paid account options. http://www.logmein.com
• TightVNC is a free program and versions 2.0 and above run on Windows 7.
  http://www.tightvnc.com/intro.php
• RealVNC offers a free version, but it’s not compatible with Windows 7.
  The personal edition does and it costs $30 – still far less than the upgrade to Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate.
  http://www.realvnc.com/

Network Backup

Network backup is another desirable feature of the high-end editions that you sacrifice with Windows 7 Home Premium. However, there are a number of options here: you can use software such as GFI Backup Home Edition, which is free and easy to use or you can use something like Microsoft’s SyncToy, which will synchronize files and folders between a local and network drive, effectively giving you a network backup of your data.

Windows XP Mode

If you would like to use the XP Mode Feature, you will have to have the Pro or Ultimate version – Or Do you Now?
What is XP Mode Really ? The XP mode is nothing more than Microsoft’s Windows Virtual PC plus a licensed copy of Windows XP in a virtual machine to run on it.

Same thing can be done using third-party applications like Virtual PC 2007, Windows Virtual PC, VMware or Sun’s VirtualBox. However, you’ll still need to buy a license for XP to run it in the VM. If you already have a licensed copy of XP, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you’ll probably come out better by upgrading to Windows 7 Pro so you can download XP Mode free. The nice thing about the “real” XP Mode is the way it integrates with your Windows 7 desktop.

Encrypt individual files to protect sensitive data (EFS)

Another feature that you get with Pro and Ultimate but not with Home Premium is the Encrypting File System (EFS). This feature allows you to encrypt individual files to protect sensitive data stored on your hard drive. There are of course several options you can choose from, which are free or have different payment options, still less expensive than Upgrading to Pro or Ultimate.

• TrueCrypt, Lots of features, tho a bit less user-friendly than EFS
• BitLocker (Our Tutorial), Encrypts entire disks
• Secret Disk, Creates encrypted folder
• AxCrypt, Open Source File Encryption

Discussion: Thoughts on Encryption

To Domain or Not Domain

Ok, so the final argument for going all the way (investing in Pro or Ultimate), is to join a Domain. But do you really need that option ? Unless you want all the flexibility in the world wanting to log in to any of your Numerous PC’s and laptops and receive and send e-mails from any computer, then the ability to join a Domain isn’t all that necessary.

But I want to get access to it all

Your computer doesn’t have to be a member of the domain for you to log into a domain account. Meaning that if you only need to access shared folders, files and printers then Home Premium will work just fine. However, should you need the computer to be managed by domain Group Policy and Active Directory Security, then you need to upgrade the OS.

What do YOU think?

Tell us about your experiences. Are there any features of Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate that you just can’t live without, or have you been able to make do with Windows 7 Home Premium Edition? What workarounds (if any), have you used to “upgrade” your Home Premium Edition?

At Windows Guides, we do our very best to bring you the best tips, advice, and freebies. In this guide, we share the first part of 100 of the best free icon packs available online. The posts are broken into two because of the size of the images needed to preview each pack. For those on dial-up, 7.14MB of images may be a little much—hopefully by splitting this post into two parts, you’ll be able to get the most out of these great downloads.

Looking for the second part? 100 Free Icon Packs for Windows [Part 2 of 2]

Looking for even more icons? Icon Packs on Windows Guides.

Flurry Icons for Office

Vacation

Function Icon Set

Windows 7 Library Icons

Basic set

Basic Set 2

Watercolor Free Icon Pack

Crysigns

Oddiy icons

Flurry Icons for Audio 3

Flurry Icons for Gamers vol.2

MinIcons

fractal.design.system.pack.2007

SEM Labs Web Blog Icon Pack

PC Social Media Icons

Hydro Pro icons

Isloo

WooFunction

Onebit free icon set

Onebit free icon set #2

256×256 Business Icons

FRESH Add-on

Amakrits PNGs

Flurry for the Web

GiNUX

CISTM icons

Web Injection

Copenhagen

WP WooThemes Ultimate Icon Set

25 Free Social Networking Icons

iPhone 4

Feedicons 2

Nixus

Phuzion

Gnome 2.18 icon theme

borken icons

Windsor

Professional Red Icons

Computer Hardware

Nurture

Social Buzz Icon Pack

Aire Icon Pack

Le Esta Icon Set

Free eCommerce icons

Brushed Adlua Icons

Free Glossy Blogging Icons Set for Bloggers

Social Networks Pro Icons

Grunge Peeling Stickers Social Media Icons

Milky – A free stock vector iconset

Must Have Icons

On to 100 Free Icon Packs for Windows [Part 2 of 2]

Looking for even more icons? Icon Packs on Windows Guides.

Here’s a little reminder on the JV16 PowerTools Giveaway Contest which runs through Sunday If you didn’t see the review on JV16 PowerTools 2010 you might want to do so now. Jv16 PowerTools is the ultimate Windows optimization and tune-up utility suite, and by far the best tool I have every put to the test.

The Competition is open to everyone !

The competition has now ended.

Winners will receive notification by email.
Thank you to all contributors.

A couple of Saturday’s ago we let you know about our amazing Christmas Giveaway (we’re just giveaway mad this Xmas!! )

Just in case you missed it or forgot, this is a reminder that the competition is still very much open.

Remember, the more you share, the more chances you have of winning this amazing prize.

Xmas Giveaway – Windows 7 Ultimate

Good luck to all and happy holidays!

Some of you already guessed it, I know. If you didn’t see the review on JV16 PowerTools 2010 you might want to do so now. jv16 PowerTools is the ultimate Windows optimization and tune-up utility suite, and by far the best tool I have every put to the test.

Now, Macecraft (the geniuses behind JV16 Powertools) are about to give you the opportunity to get your own copy – free to keep. All you have to do is entering this giveaway competition and you might just be one of the lucky 10 winners.

Competition runs for an entire week, so make sure you tell everyone you know to enter.

On to the Competition

There are two ways you can win a copy this time. Make sure you enter both and double your chances to win. Before you enter the competition you should download, install and test the 60 day fully working trial version. Then

Download JV16 PowerTools

The competition has ended.

Winners will receive notification by email.
Thank you to all contributors.

jv16 PowerTools is the ultimate Windows optimization and tune-up utility suite. The bottom line is that it keeps your computer running smooth, fast and greatly improves its overall stability. If you’re still (gasp!) using our old RegCleaner program, or an older version of PowerTools, it’s time to wake up and pay attention! PROS: Fast. Lightweight, Easy to Use. CONS:Not Free VERDICT:Overall the most reliable “optimization and tune-up utility suite” I have ever encountered. No matter if you are an experienced user or not – JV16 PowerTools will become your best friend – ensuring your computer a long and healthy life. PRICE: From $29,95 VERSION REVIEWED: 2.0.0.986 DOWNLOAD: JV16 Power Tools 2010

jv16 PowerTools 2010 is here and it’s sweet!

I’ll make no effort hiding the fact that this Suite is one of my all time favourites. I first discovered the program back in 2008, when searching for a tool to clean (and fix) my cluttered computer. Almost every tool promising to solve my computer problems, would somehow mess it up further, or was unsuccessful at solving it all. The reason I discovered was often that most problems lay in the registry. If you remove too much data from it, something is bound to crash, and removing too little, well… You know what happens … nothing.

Suite of tools

JV16 PowerTools isn’t just a registry tool, it’s a complete set of tools, designed for every part of your computer. When you boot JV16 PowerTools the program will assess your computer, displaying the approximate health of the system. The suite support 4 main areas (with several useful tools for each):

• Registry Tools
• File Tools
• System Tools
• Privacy Tools

Some of the functions are Backup/Restore Registry, Speed up Computer, Check for Viruses and Malware, Uninstall and File Cleanup and StartUp Control.

Registry Tools

The Registry tools consists of a Registry manager, Search and Replace, Cleaner, monitor and Compactor. To me The Registry Compactor has proven the most valuable. As the name suggests it compacts the registry, without removing data.  This is done by reconstructing the entire registry structure from scratch, eliminating all the empty spaces and other unneeded data. A cluttered and fragmented Registry will cause slow performance.

Speed Up Your Computer

This feature let you tweak your Windows to increase performance. With the intuitive interface and well written information it is very easy to tweak your windows safely.

Clean and Fix My Computer

This is a new feature in the 2010 edition, which searches and repairs any problems it finds. It Scans the registry for registry errors, obsolete and leftover data, MRU and history data, unneeded and leftover files that may be deleted.

Verify my downloads are safe to run

Another new feature is the anti-virus and malware tool which primarily is made to scan your download folders. It can also be used to scan single files (by drag and drop) should you worry that it might be contaminated.

Fully remove software and leftovers

I truly hate it when an uninstaller only removes the main program files, leaving DLL’s temp-files and folders. This is especially annoying when finding empty folders in the Start-Menu. At a first glance the tool looks exactly like the Add/Remove Software feature of Windows Control Panel, or any other third party products. Don’t be fooled though! This tool does what you’d expect any uninstaller should do. No more left overs.

Other tools included in the suite

• File Finder
• File Recovery and cleaner
• File Organizer
• File Tool Duplicate and File Finder
• Directory Finder
• Startup Manager and Start Menu Tool
• Automation Tool
• Service Manager and System Optimizer
• History Cleaner
• System Cleaner and Disk Wiper

Overall verdict

jv16 PowerTools is a full Windows optimization utility suite containing 27 different main tools, and dozens of smaller tools. In my experience, JV16 PowerTools is all you’ll ever need and want.

Ease of use

Aside from the intuitive interface – the developers have put a lot of effort into making the system as easy to use as humanly possible. Whatever task you will get easy to understand help and labels, guiding you through every step. No matter if you are an experienced user or not – JV16 PowerTools will become your best friend – ensuring your computer a long and healthy life.

But don’t just take my word for it – Try it now free for 60 days

Download JV16 PowerTools

UPDATE - A massive thank you to all who took part in this amazing Giveaway. As much as i’d love to give you all a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate for the new year, unfortunately there can only be one winner.
The winner has been notified via. their Facebook account. Please get in contact with me at rsvr85 at mintywhite dot com to arrange shipping.
Again, a huge thanks to all who participated, congratulations to the winner and a happy new year!

———————————

We love our readers at Windows Guides.  So much so, we’re delighted to announce our Windows Guides Christmas Giveaway, which is…(drum roll please)….Windows 7 Ultimate, just in case you missed the post title!

The competition will run from now until 1st January 2011 (3 weeks) where the winner will be announced shortly after.

Here’s how to get your hands on this amazing prize:

What Do I Win?

Windows 7 Ultimate (Retail: $319.99)

How Do I Win?

There are several ways everyone can enter this Giveaway;

Once you’ve done one of the following, post a comment to this article with a link to your ‘Share’.

1 – Tweet this article

2 – Share this article on Facebook

3 – Share this article on Google Buzz

4 – Submit this article to Stumbleupon.com

All four methods above are available in our sidebar;

A few things to bear in mind:

The Giveaway is open to everyone, regardless of geographic location

The Giveaway will close January 1st 00:00 GMT

You can enter as many times as you wish, the more you share this article, the more chances you have of winning!

The winner will be randomly selected from eligible comments.

Good luck to all!

I’ve stopped buying music

Now hold on, before you jump to any wrong conclusions – I don’t illegally download it either. I rent it … sort of.

These day it seems, the music industry are doing what they can to make it harder for honest people to get the music they want (and according to some, encouraging them to “steal”). Some smart people have come up with a great solution: Legal Streaming. Almost with the industry’s blessing.

There are several online solutions for streaming music legally – but in my book there are only two worth checking out: Spotify and Grooveshark. Both of which give you all the music you can ever listen too, free (ad-supported) and legal. Both also provides a paid service without ads and commercial breaks.

Mini Review.

The following list show you some of the features you can expect to find in the two programs:

.

.

Grooveshark is browser dependent and cannot function without an Internet Connection. Aside from that, if you require a simple solution to get access to all the music you can ever imagine. Then Grooveshark is for you. Grooveshark is all about the music. Search for an artist or a song, and a few seconds later… you’re playing it.

Grooveshark can give you music based on category or you can create a playlist (and genre) of your own and share it with the Grooveshark community or your friends.

Grooveshark is for every one, get it free or pay for it (6 or 9USD depending on subscription). If you can stand ads – then there’s no reason to pay.  There is also a mobile phone application allowing you to play music wherever you are (as long as you have internet connection that is).

Why the “five” ?

Well, I removed one star for a couple of reasons:

• It’s not standalone
• There is no, Search for Similar or Related music/artist
• No OFFLINE mode, which means that you must have internet to use it.

My cousin told me the other day: “Spotify is the greatest thing, happening to my music collection, EVER!”. And I must agree. Before when I had company or friends over – they would always go through my music collection, looking for music which I didn’t have. Now, that problem is gone.

Spotify is a very lightweight standalone application with all the abilities you would expect from your WinAmp, Media Player etc. Searching for music is fast, and the sound quality is as good as any store-bought CD.

As in Grooveshark you can create your own playlists and share it with whatever community you like. But you may also search for similar music or artists. If you like to read about artists and their music, Spotify provides this information through its Biography function.

The paid subscription options comes with several extra features like Mobile Phone Apps, OFFLINE mode (for both computer and phone) and better sound quality.

Spotify Availability Issue and workaround

Because the music industry are backwards-thinkers (when it comes to new legal solutions), they require special contracts and agreements for each country to which Spotify is to be available. For this reason Spotify is not yet available all over the world. But there are workarounds, should you want to try it.

Spotify is available all over the world for Premium Account holders. To get the membership outside Europe, you have to log into the website using a UK-based Proxy, and register as if you live in the UK. From there on, it’s easy. You still have to pay for it to use it but it works. Spotify costs between 4 and 9 euros a month (6-12USD) depending on your subscription.

In Conclusion

For those of us living in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, France, Spain and the Netherlands, Spotify is the greatest choice, especially as you (with a premium account) don’t need an Internet connection to play your music, even on the mobile phone apps.

Seeing as most of the readers here don’t live in the above mentioned countries, then go for Grooveshark – it’s almost as good.