Windows Tools, Help & Guides

In the previous guide, you learned about the Sysinternals tools. In this guide, you’ll learn how to launch Sysinternals tools from the web. This can save valuable time and give you the tools you need when you need them i.e. you’re at a friends house and they’re asking for help with their PC.

Launching Sysinternals tools from the command line/Run dialog is easy. First, you’ll need the list of names of the Sysinternals tools, which can be found here: live.sysinternals.com

Once you have the name of the tool,  launch the Run dialog (Winkey+R) and type the following:

 \\live.sysinternals.com\tools\toolname.exe

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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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Windows 8 will be the first iteration of Windows that includes, by standard, more “immersive” applications–otherwise known as tablet apps or “Metro apps”. There are a few differences between these applications; here’s how Metro apps differ from classic applications/programs:

• Removed controls (i.e. minimize, maximize/restore, and exit buttons; drop down tool menus i.e. File, Edit, Tools etc.; no scrollbars for the most part)
• Optimized for touch screen rather than keyboard and mouse
• Metro apps are not designed to be closed; they are instead moved to the background for quick launching
• Metro apps run full-screen (although you can put two side by side in a 33/67 ratio)

The tablet apps are accessed through the Start Screen. Here’s the start screen if you’re unfamiliar with it:

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As most of you probably know, Windows 8 is currently under development. This article focuses on the new interfaces, the new features, and the new way to use your computer. If you don’t know much about Windows 8, then this is a good place to start. Below I have made various sub-sections of this article dedicated to new features, new UI etc.

Metro Interface

The metro interface was first introduced in Windows Phone 7. Since then, many people have picked up the metro-look to third-party applications and skins. Microsoft is now moving forward with its metro interface. They’re using it in Windows 8 and they’ll use it on Xbox Live soon as well. But, the metro interface is met by skepticism from some people. They find the metro interface too simple and basically too boring. But, luckily, the majority likes the metro interface – as long as everything doesn’t have to be like it.

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Update: September 15th 2011 @ 11:11 ET: Added some more feedback from readers below.

Update: September 17th 2011 @ 7:44 ET: Added more feedback.

Yesterday, I put up four questions, which ask you about what you think about Windows 8. Quite promptly someone answered with the response:

“Less of this stupidity. I have not yet left BUILD and you lot seem to be lauding it”

[…]

“As it has not been released whats the point of this? How many beta testers are there?”

Just in case you’re also stuck at some unknown conference and didn’t know the Developer Preview is available, you can find out more about it here. Here’s what some of you said:
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