[Martin L]

You have a tweak or tips for Microsoft Windows Vista users? Post them inhere and it will be added to this post.

Enable Sidebar in Vista
Go to Program Files/Windows Sidebar/sidebar.exe

turn on file extensions contributed by FthrJACK

Why windows always comes with file extensions hidden by default i dont know.. its stupid, leaves you open to installing a virus.exe thats been given a zip icon or something then named virus.zip.exe

you just see a zip icon and virus.zip.. double click it and bam. also its a pain if you need to rename files.. change .txt to .bat or rename a file so it sends through messenger for example.

to turn it on, go to any folder, documents for example.

Layout > show classic menus - 

Tools > Folder Options -

View Tab.

Untick "Hide Extensions of Known File Types"

close, go back to Layout, and put it back as it was

Enable Glass without a supported card contributed by harunaksoy
Download the file here. It just adds a key in your registry

Enabling addition Avalon effects contributed by harunaksoy

Once you have the new Aero engine enabled on your build of Windows codename Longhorn, you can enable additional transition effects that are currently turned off in builds. Follow the steps below to add some additional desktop and explorer effects:

1. Open up regedit.
2. Navigate thru HKEY_Local_Machine, Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version, and Explorer.
3. Create a new DWORD and call it MILDesktop.
4. Set the value of MILDesktop to 1.
5. Create a new DWORD and call it MILExplorer.
6. Set the value of MILExplorer to 1.
7. Exit explorer and restart.

I hope your system and drivers can handle the new effects!

Enable DWM on None supported Video Cards contributed by gunsmokingman

Note: Open Taskmanager and set the uxss.exe to normal as this is set to high using this tweak

The Reg Tweak

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DWM]
"perUser"=dword:00000000
"DebugDumpTree"=dword:00000000
"DebugMessages"=dword:00000000
"DebugMouse"=dword:00000000
"DebugZOrder"=dword:00000000
"EnableMachineCheck"=dword:00000000
"ForceSoftwareD3D"=dword:00000000
"Glass"=dword:00000001
"UseAlternateButtons"=dword:00000001
"Animations"=dword:00000001
"AnimationsShiftKey"=dword:00000001
"Blur"=dword:00000001
"Composition"=dword:00000001
"UseDPIScaling"=dword:00000001
"RenderClientArea"=dword:00000001
"MagnificationPercent"=dword:00000064

Software to Tweak Vista
TweakVista: http://www.tweakvist...staUtility.aspx

NOTE: This thread will be cleaned once in a while; this means that all non-relevant replies will be removed so that only the tips and tweaks stay

This post has been edited by Martin L: 30 October 2008 - 05:18 AM
Reason for edit: cleaned the topic

[FthrJACK]

Why windows always comes with file extensions hidden by default i dont know.. its stupid, leaves you open to installing a virus.exe thats been given a zip icon or something then named virus.zip.exe

you just see a zip icon and virus.zip.. double click it and bam. also its a pain if you need to rename files.. change .txt to .bat or rename a file so it sends through messenger for example.

to turn it on, go to any folder, documents for example.

Layout > show classic menus -

Tools > Folder Options -

View Tab.

Untick "Hide Extensions of Known File Types"

close, go back to Layout, and put it back as it was

[harunaksoy]

Enable Glass without a supported card. Download the file here. It just adds a key in your registry.

[gunsmokingman]

I guess you missed this thread about how to enable DWM on None supported Video Cards, I tested this
on Build 5231 only, have not tried it on earlier builds because they are old.
The Thread

[harunaksoy]

Sorry i missed that one

Here's another tweak
Enabling addition Avalon effects!

Quote

got that somewhere ......enjoy!

Once you have the new Aero engine enabled on your build of Windows codename Longhorn, you can enable additional transition effects that are currently turned off in builds. Follow the steps below to add some additional desktop and explorer effects:

1. Open up regedit.
2. Navigate thru HKEY_Local_Machine, Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version, and Explorer.
3. Create a new DWORD and call it MILDesktop.
4. Set the value of MILDesktop to 1.
5. Create a new DWORD and call it MILExplorer.
6. Set the value of MILExplorer to 1.
7. Exit explorer and restart.

I hope your system and drivers can handle the new effects!

[gunsmokingman]

Since this only works on build before 5270 I am removing the sfx files and just am
going to post the code for it.
Save as TurnOnDWM.vbs

Quote

Const ABOVE_NORMAL = 32768, BELOW_NORMAL = 16384, NORMAL = 32
Dim Act, Fso, RegKey, strComputer, SD, Ts 
strComputer = "."
Set Act = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
Set Fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set Ts = Fso.CreateTextFile("Dwm_On.reg")
Ts.WriteLine "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00"
Ts.WriteLine "[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DWM]"
Ts.WriteLine """perUser""=dword:00000000"
Ts.WriteLine """DebugDumpTree""=dword:00000000"
Ts.WriteLine """DebugMessages""=dword:00000000"
Ts.WriteLine """DebugMouse""=dword:00000000"
Ts.WriteLine """DebugZOrder""=dword:00000000"
Ts.WriteLine """EnableMachineCheck""=dword:00000000"
Ts.WriteLine """ForceSoftwareD3D""=dword:00000000"
Ts.WriteLine """Glass""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """UseAlternateButtons""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """Animations""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """AnimationsShiftKey""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """Blur""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """Composition""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """UseDPIScaling""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """RenderClientArea""=dword:00000001"
Ts.WriteLine """MagnificationPercent""=dword:00000064"
Ts.Close 
Act.Run("REGEDIT /S Dwm_On.reg"), 1, True
Fso.DeleteFile("Dwm_On.reg")
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colProcessList = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_Process Where Name = 'uxss.exe'")
For Each objProcess in colProcessList
	objProcess.Terminate()
Next
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colProcessList = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_Process Where Name = 'explorer.exe'")
For Each objProcess in colProcessList
	objProcess.Terminate()
Next
Dim Cnt : Cnt = 0
Do 
Cnt = Cnt + 1
Loop Until Cnt = 10000 * 3
SD = Act.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%systemdrive%")
If Fso.FileExists(SD & "\TurnOnDWM.vbs") Then
Fso.DeleteFile(SD & "\TurnOnDWM.vbs")
End If 
Act.Run("taskmgr.exe")
Act.Popup "Please turn the Uxss.exe to Normal", 15, "Lower Uxss.exe", 0 + 32

Save as TurnOffDWM.vbs

Quote

Const HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE = &H80000002
Dim strKeyPath, strComputer, Act 
Set Act = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DWM"
strComputer = "."
Set oReg=GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")
Dim DWMdel : DWMdel = Array("perUser", "DebugDumpTree","DebugMessages","DebugMouse","DebugZOrder","EnableMachineCheck",_
"ForceSoftwareD3D","Glass","UseAlternateButtons","Animations","AnimationsShiftKey","Blur","Composition",_
"UseDPIScaling","RenderClientArea","MagnificationPercent")

For Each strDWMdel In DWMdel
oReg.DeleteValue HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,strKeyPath,strDWMdel
Next 
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colProcessList = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_Process Where Name = 'uxss.exe'")
For Each objProcess in colProcessList
	objProcess.Terminate()
Next
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colProcessList = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_Process Where Name = 'explorer.exe'")
For Each objProcess in colProcessList
	objProcess.Terminate()
Next
Dim Cnt : Cnt = 0
Do 
Cnt = Cnt + 1
Loop Until Cnt = 10000 * 3
Dim SD, Fso
Set Fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
SD = Act.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%systemdrive%")
If Fso.FileExists(SD & "\TurnOffDWM.vbs") Then 
Fso.DeleteFile(SD & "\TurnOffDWM.vbs")
End if

This post has been edited by gunsmokingman: 24 June 2006 - 01:14 AM

[prathapml]

Vista 5308:
How to disable user access protection ( UAP )-

1. While logged in with admin rights.
2. Press the key combo Win+R (the "Run command" box comes up).
3. Run "msconfig".
4. Go to the "Tools" tab.
5. Scroll down to "disable UAP", & click the "launch" button below.
6. It will execute a command & leave behind a CMD window, exit that, reboot Vista, and you're done!

[gunsmokingman]

Change the size of the desktop icons
Hold the Ctrl down and use your mouse scroll wheel to adjust the size.

[trickstar]

Show Administrator on Welcome Screen

start > run = " control userpasswords2 " select administrator account, click reset password (input new pass) / Ok

start > run = " regedit " create the key below

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList

create "DWORD (32bit) Value"
Value Name: Administrator
Value Data: 1

[gunsmokingman]

trickstar, on Apr 29 2006, 03:03 PM, said:

Show Administrator on Welcome Screen

start > run = " control userpasswords2 " select administrator account, click reset password (input new pass) / Ok

start > run = " regedit " create the key below

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList

create "DWORD (32bit) Value"
Value Name: Administrator
Value Data: 1

1:\ Right Click Computer Icon Select Manage
2:\ Expand The Local User And Groups
3:\ Rename the administartor account to match the name in the reg file, you can also just leave the
name the same for the admin, but the name must match the reg file.
This is a easier a way, change the Green text to the name you want.
I posted this before in a earlier thread.
Save As AddAdmin.Reg

Quote

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList]"HelpAssistant"=dword:00000000
"TsInternetUser"=dword:00000000
"SQLAgentCmdExec"=dword:00000000
"NetShowServices"=dword:00000000
"IWAM_"=dword:00010000
"IUSR_"=dword:00010000
"VUSR_"=dword:00010000
"PLACE_NEW_NAME_OR_ADMINISTARTOR_NAME_HERE"=dword:00000001

[nitroshift]

Open a few windows then press the win key + tab. That makes them all visible each behind the other.

[xper]

Open Command Prompt Here

Right-click on any folder on your Windows Vista while holding down the shift key. You'll see an extra context-sensitive menu item there: Open Command Prompt here.


O.T.
Only tips & tweaks in here. Thread will be cleaned.

[xper]

Bringing Back Start / Run

Temporary:
Win+R shortcut key

Permanently:

1. Right-click on the Start menu and choose Properties;
2. Select the Start Menu tab and click on the Customize... button;
3. Ensure the "Run command" option is checked.

[Spooky]

Yep, the shift key method works but doesn't work every where. However, There is a registry tweak that does enable the command prompt here on the right click context menu that works every where. Make your own by using the below:

; add command prompt to right click context menu
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\Open Command Prompt Here]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\Open Command Prompt Here\command]
@="cmd.exe /k pushd %L"

Or you can just use the cmd_prmt_here.reg file I attached to this post.

xper, on Sep 18 2006, 05:00 PM, said:

Open Command Prompt Here

Right-click on any folder on your Windows Vista while holding down the shift key. You'll see an extra context-sensitive menu item there: Open Command Prompt here.


O.T.
Only tips & tweaks in here. Thread will be cleaned.

Attached File(s)

•  cmd_prmt_here.reg (508bytes)
  Number of downloads: 335

This post has been edited by Spooky: 24 September 2006 - 09:13 AM

[Spooky]

You can get rid of the shortcut arrows in vista by using an old reg tweak that still works: Open up regedit and go to:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile]

Then re-name 'IsShortcut' to 'AriochIsShortcut' in the right pane.

Close regedit and reboot - shortcut arrows are gone.

[Spooky]

Here is how to get rid of the word 'Shortcut' on shortcuts in Vista. make your own with the below or use the .reg file i've attached to this post:

; get rid of the word 'Shortcut' on shortcuts
; this is the original value
; [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
; "link"=hex:1e,00,00,00

; this is the changed value to get rid of word 'Shortcut'
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"link"=hex:00,00,00,00


Reboot after you do this. It will not get rid of the word 'Shortcut' on the shortcuts created before this reg entry, it will only not put the word 'Shortcut' on those you create after this reg entry is done. I included the original value also in case you want to go back, just comment the changed value and un-comment the original value to and merge it again and reboot.

Attached File(s)

•  no_shoct.reg (664bytes)
  Number of downloads: 297

[Spooky]

Starting with Vista RC 2 there will be certain services that you can not disable. Lets use Task Scheduler as an example; you used to be able to just "Stop using task scheduler" by the setting in the GUI, now the setting is no longer there and you can't turn it off or change its start up status in the services. So what you will need to do is change it in the registry. Still using Task Scheduler as an example, start up reg edit and go to:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Schedule]
"Start"=dword:00000002

You can change the startup status for a service not changeable in any other way by changing the value of the "Start" key. Its simple, just choose one of these values and change the key value;

1 = system start
2 = automatic
3 = manual
4 = disabled

You don't even need to re-boot (although i'd recommend it just to be sure), simply change the reg key.

I do not recommend you set any service to disabled if its not necessary to do so. Setting them to manual allows them to start in case they are needed instead of receiving an error about a service not starting.

BTW: I found 4 different instances of Task Scheduler running in taskman. All the things (24 of them) it was scheduling should be things starting up with Vista, why 'schedule' them? Anyway, after i set Task Scheduler to manual i noticed a little bit, slight, responsiveness in the OS at log on.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 10 October 2006 - 05:55 PM

[Spooky]

Some times in Vista you need to change the permissions of a folder but it just will not let you change any permissions. This is more than likely because the system owns the folder. Yes thats right, even logged in as the admin you may not have complete rights over certain things because the system owns them. There is a way around this that allows you to take ownership, after you take ownership you will then be able to change permissions.

You can take ownership of a folder with "takeown" command line tool. Use takeown /? in an admin CMD prompt to see full help. You will then be able to change the permissions.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 28 October 2006 - 06:11 AM

[Spooky]

You can turn Vista User Account Control (UAC) on and off by using the msconfig utility, but if you just want to do it without the start-run-msconfig - click on the tab - scroll down...yada yada yada stuff, you can use the reg entries below, or use the attached .reg files, to turn it on and off. You will need to reboot for any change to become active. These can also be used if your setting up an un-attended install and want to have UAC set on or off when the un-attend install completes.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;Disable UAC
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"EnableLUA"=dword:00000000

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;Enable UAC
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"EnableLUA"=dword:00000001

Attached File(s)

•  disableuac.reg (306bytes)
  Number of downloads: 263
•  enableuac.reg (306bytes)
  Number of downloads: 197

[ElAguila]

Another way to turn off the User Account Control is:
Control Panel>User Accounts>Turn User Account Control on or Off(found on at the bottom of the window listed under Make Changes to your User Account)