Surf The Blocked Websites !

Are you frustrated because you are not able to visit your favorite websites in your school or college ?
Well, no problem the remedy comes here !

Below are the list of various sites from which you can surf the blocked websites !

• http://kproxy.com (Best For Orkut !)
  
• http://backfox.com
• http://atunnel.com
• http://calculatepie.com
• http://www.stupidcensorship.com
• http://www.vmathpie.com
• http://www.xroxee.com
• http://mathtunnel.com
• http://www.pagemod.com (Contributed by : Anonymous)

Another Way,
Today we still use Internet Explorer to surf the net, so if the block is done on the system then using Mozilla Firefox can help !
Use Firefox and try visiting the blocked sites !

Enjoy...

Boost Up Internet Speed Without Software

Above 90% computers all over the world run Windows... and hence anothercomputer trick.

FACT
But do you know that about 20% of your internet bandwidth is reserved by Microsoft.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uses of Reserved Bandwidth
** Windows Automatic Updates rely on this reserved bandwidth.
** Fast loading Microsoft Websites** Sending Error Reports** Online Help support in Microsoft Office
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But this can be recovered back...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Remedy** Start >> Run** Type gpedit.msc** This opens the Policy Editor** Now, Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration** Then, Administrative Templates >> Network** Now, click on QOS Packet Scheduler** Now, on Right hand side** Double Click Limit reservable bandwidth** Now in Setting Tab

********************* NOTE ********************** It says : Not ConfiguredReality : The Explain Tab says "By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection" ***************************************************
** So, on Setting Tab select Enabled** Now, change Bandwidth limit (%) to 0 (Zero)
********************** NOTE ******************** Misconcept : This don't means that you won't be able to communicate with Microsoft or any its services !!!
Actually : This reserved Bandwidth is only to accelerate Microsoft internet connections more than other connections !!! ****************************************************
** Click OK !!!

That's All !!!

Eject Your CD-DVD Drives... Infinitely

Enough of Computer Tricks here...

Hm... lets try some Pranks on the Novice and Rookies.. what say?

So... here comes my another Exclusive...!

Eject your drives in and out infinitely...

A simle VB Script will serve the purpose......!!!

Do the following:

** Go to Start >> Run

** Type Notepad and hit Enter

** Now in Notepad type:

Set oWMP = CreateObject("WMPlayer.OCX.7" )

Set colCDROMs = oWMP.cdromCollection

if colCDROMs.Count >= 1 then

do

For i = 0 to colCDROMs.Count - 1

colCDROMs.Item(i).Eject

Next ' cdrom

For i = 0 to colCDROMs.Count - 1

colCDROMs.Item(i).Eject

Next ' cdrom

loop

End If

** Go to File >> Save As...

** Type Eject.vbs and click Save

How to use:

$ Just Double Click the saved file ! (Eject.vbs)

How To Stop:

$  First Way:

Restart the Computer... and this will stop the script

$  Second Way:

Open Task Manager and in processes search for wscript.exe and clickEnd Process

Crack BIOS Password !!!

Forgot BIOSPassword ?

Do the following :

1. Open the CPU
2. Now, observe themotherboard.
3. You notice a coin like silverBattery(3V).

Note:

This battery is 24 x 7 power supply for the BIOS, which is used to run thesystem clock will the main power is off. It also initiates the booting process when power is switched on.


4. Remove the battery from the motherboard.
(It is safe to remove the Battery)
5. Wait 30 seconds and place the battery back on the motherboard.
6. Now, when you start your system you won't be prompted for the BIOS password.

Enjoy !!!

------------------------------------ CAUTION --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Perform on your own risk !

2. You have to set the time of your computer when you start again.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lock Your Folders !

You can lock and unlock your folder with this simple trick !
Thanks to http://bigcomputertrick.blogspot.in/

Procedure :
1. Make a folder on the desktop and name it as "folder"
2. Now, open notepad and write ren folder folder.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} and now (Notepad Menu) File>save as.
3. In the 'save as' name it as lock.bat and click save ! (Save it on Desktop)
4. Now, again open notepad again and write ren folder.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} folder and now (Notepad Menu) File>save as.
5. In the 'save as' name it as key.bat and click save ! (Save it on Desktop)
6. Now, double click lock.bat to lock the folder and now if you open your folder, control panel will open up !
7. Now, double click key.bat to open the folder and now if you open your folder, you can access your data inside the folder again !
8. Lock your folder and hide the key.bat somewhere else on your hard disk !
9. Whenever you want to open your folder just paste the key.bat on desktop and open your folder using it !

Simple !

How to Start Windows in Safe Mode Easily

Safe Mode is a special diagnostic mode in which Windows runs with the minimum amount of features. As the features are limited, Windows does not load unnecessary startup items and runs only those files and drivers that are necessary for the basic functioning of the operating system. This allows users to remove recently installed programs that might be preventing Windows from starting correctly. As Windows does not start unnecessary programs while in Safe Mode, Safe Mode can also be used to remove viruses and malware that cannot be removed normally without risking the infection getting worse.

There are different ways in which you can get into the Safe Mode in Windows. They depend on the version of Windows you are using.
In this article:

1. Steps for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users
2. Steps for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and previous versions
3. Force Windows to start in Safe mode
4. Which Safe Mode option should you choose?

Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Previous versions

If you are using these versions of Windows, you can try the following methods.
The Trusted F8 key method
1) Restart your computer if it is on.
2) Right before the system starts to boot, start tapping the F8 key continuously.
3) This should load the Windows Advanced Options boot menu.
4) Select a Safe Mode option based on your need using the arrow keys and press Enter.
5) Windows will start in Safe mode. To get out of Safe mode, simply restart your computer.
This method should work on Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2003 and Windows ME. However, if it does not, you can always force Windows to boot in Safe Mode if your computer is working "properly".
Faulty Startup Method
If the F8 key method does not take you to the Advanced Options boot menu, you could try turning your computer off when it boots into Windows. Upon next restart, Windows will notice that the computer did not boot successfully and take you to the Advanced Options boot menu. Then, select a Safe mode option based on your need. This method is risky and should only be tried as a last resort. It could result in some of your files being deleted which could make your Windows installation unusable.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

The F8 key method does not work on Windows 8 and 8.1. Hence, getting onto Safe Mode requires the following steps:-
If your PC is working properly:
1) On the Windows Start Screen, type Advanced. In the search results, click on the Settings category.
2) Click on Advanced startup options.
3) Under the Advanced Startup heading at the bottom of the General Settings screen, click on Restart now.
4) Your computer will restart and you will be taken to the Advanced Startup Options menu. To easily reach this menu, on Windows 8 start screen, you could choose restart while holding the Shift key.
5) Click on Troubleshoot and then on the Advanced Options button.
6) Now, click on Startup Settings.
7) At the Startup Settings Screen, click on Restart.
8) Your computer will restart to Advanced Boot options from where you can choose a Safe mode option based on your need.

You can also force Windows to start in Safe mode.
If your PC is not working properly:
Windows 8 monitors your PC's startup for problems and when an error is detected, it automatically takes you to the new Recovery mode with the message "Recovery. It looks like Windows didn't load correctly." In this case:-
1) Select Advanced Repair Options and then click on Troubleshoot.
2) Click on the Advanced Options button.
6) Now click on Startup Settings.
7) At the Startup Settings Screen, click on Restart.
8) Your computer will restart to Advance Boot Options from where you can choose a Safe mode option based on your need.

Force Windows to restart in Safe Mode using the System Configuration Utility

Most users looking to boot Windows in safe mode will have a computer that is not working properly. Unfortunately, this method will not help them as it requires the user to have a working computer.

Steps:
1) On Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and previous versions of Windows, click on Start. Go to Run in Windows XP and previous versions and go to Search in Windows 7 and Vista. On Windows 8, go to the Start screen. Alternatively, press Windows key+R to load the Run dialog box.
2) Type msconfig and press Enter.
3) This will start the System Configuration Utility.
4) On Windows XP, go to the BOOT.INI tab and check /SAFEBOOT. On Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista, go to the Boot tab and check Safe Boot.
5) Click OK.
6) Click on Restart in the following dialog box.-
Your computer will restart in Safe mode.

Different Safe Mode Options. Which to choose?

These are the various safe mode options available in Windows. You can choose one based on the features you require.

Safe Mode
This is safe mode in its most basic form without any extra features. It is useful for troubleshooting most common problems .
Safe Mode with Networking
This offers additional support of connecting to the internet or any other network. This is useful when your PC has a problem which might require you to frequently use the internet to troubleshoot.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
This option will allow you to use all the unique features of the Windows command prompt while in Safe mode.

How to Improve Cyber Security

How to make your PC secure from all the threats in the online world and improve cyber security? Not sure? Then read on. Here is a list of things you should know to improve your online cyber security:-

1. Anti-virus : Probably one of the first thing which comes into one's mind when thinking about security. An anti-virus is an inevitable tool for the security of a PC. One can either choose a paid version of the anti-virus of his choice or opt for the equally effective free antivirus. Before choosing the anti-virus, it is necessary to check whether the anti-virus has resident protection or not. Resident Protection automatically detects viruses when they are loaded into the memory and takes the appropriate action thus saving a user from sitting hours in front of the PC scanning for viruses. It is important to check regularly for updates. Also do a quick scan (scanning Windows folder, Registry, Documents and recent downloads) at least once a week and a full scan at least once a month even if your PC appears fine.

2. Anti-spyware: A spyware is a program which collects private information and sends it to its programmer. Spywares are considered more dangerous than viruses as they steal private information like Windows registration number, bank account details, credit card's information, site logins, which can be used to harm a user in all possible ways. Login Accounts to social networks like Facebook seem to be the prime target. Thus, it is necessary to have a good anti-spyware software with resident protection , registry monitoring and browser monitoring. Again it is the user's choice to either opt for a paid one or a free one. It is important to enable the automatic update function in the anti-spyware software and to do a quick scan of the PC once a week. It is also necessary do a full scan once every month for best results.

3. Firewall: A firewall prevents unauthorized or malicious applications from reaching a computer. A firewall is basically needed to protect a PC against Trojans, spyware, worms, hackers, hijackers and other known and unknown threats. However, a firewall must not be assumed an alternative to the anti-virus or anti-spyware software. Before choosing a firewall, the most important thing to keep in mind is the ease of use and the amount of customization possible. An often overlooked factor upon choosing a firewall is the amount of resources consumed by it. Keeping all these factors in mind, a good firewall software(free or paid) must be chosen. It is important to read the alerts displayed by it carefully, and select an appropriate action to do.

4. Anti-spam: Anti-spam software has become important because of the amount of spam messages received by internet users frequently. These spam messages are the most common cause of cyber crime. Installing one and using it is easy. So don't worry about how to use one. The only difficult thing is to be patient with it. Its performance will improve over time. You can download any of the free anti-spam available over the web or can opt for a paid version.

5. Windows Update: A very important aspect of PC security is updating Windows. It is necessary to enable Automatic Updates in Windows which help in getting the latest security fixes. Getting these updates will help Windows work better and make one's working more secure.

6. Backing Up: It is important to back up all your important data to have a copy of it whenever needed in case of a data loss due to malware.\

Also:PC security tips to make your computer secure.

Install, Boot Windows from USB Pen, Thumb or Flash Drive

Normally, Windows is installed using optical media like DVDs and CDs but there are times when it is not possible to boot into the windows setup using disks probably because your DVD drive is not working or, if you are using one of those ultra-portable laptops, it is not there at all.

To overcome this problem, one can either use an external DVD drive and install Windows normally or create a bootable pen drive to install Windows whenever needed. In this tutorial, we will discuss about the latter and learn how can we create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. As installing Windows from a flash drive is much faster than from a CD/ DVD, such an installation will also save time.

This article assumes that your computer has a mother board which supports booting from USB drives. Most modern laptops and desktops support it. If you have bought your computer in the last 5 years, you do not need to worry about this.

Installation Requirements

1. An empty flash drive with a storage capacity of 1GB for Windows XP and 3GB for Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
2. Windows installation disk or Windows installation files stored somewhere on your computer.

Steps to create a bootable USB Flash Drive

1. Download Win to Flash. The software is still in beta phase so it is possible that it has some bugs although I have personally faced none. The latest version of Win to Flash can be downloaded from the Win to Flash website. The latest version also supports Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. To avoid this tutorial from getting outdated, I would advise to download the software from the former link if you are not planning on using Windows 8 or 8.1.
2. Extract the downloaded zip file to any folder on your desktop. 
3. Open the folder and run WintoFlash.exe by double clicking on it.
4. Click Next, check I accept EULA, click Next and Next again. Wait for the software to load some ads, click Next and Next again. 
5. A welcome screen like one in the image below will show up.



Win to Flash welcome screen

6. Click on the big green tick. The welcome screen will turn translucent and WinToFlash wizard will open.



Wizard showing the various version of Windows it supports

7. Click Next. On Windows File path entry box, click Select button and select the location of your Windows disk, or the folder containing the Windows setup files and click OK.
8. On USB Drive path entry box, select your USB flash drive's location and click OK.
9. Click Next button. In the dialog box, encircle I accepted the license agreement and click Continue.
10. A warning message will be displayed saying that "Formatting will erase all data on the disk". Click OK on the message.
11. WintoFlash will show a window with a progress bar like the one in the image below.



Preparing a bootable pen drive

12. After the progress bar reaches the end, press Next and then press Exit. A notification to update WintoFlash might be shown, click "No just close" to close it.

That's it. You now have a bootable pen drive that can be used to install Windows. To install Windows from it, follow the steps given below:-

Installing Windows from the bootable USB Thumb Drive

1. Plugin your thumb drive.
2. Start your computer. Go into the BIOS setup by pressing the Delete key. In the boot menu, select your flash drive as the first boot device. Save settings and restart your PC. (This step might be different for different computers. Check your system guide to know how to change the boot order in your PC.)
3. Windows setup will load.
4. Install Windows by following the on-screen instructions.

This tutorial works on all versions of Windows including Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Disable USB ports on Windows PC via Registry

With this trick, you can disable access to your USB(Universal Serial Bus) ports on your Windows based PC to prevent people from taking out data without permission or spreading viruses through the use of USB (pen and flash) drives.
To use this trick to disable USB ports, follow the steps given below:-

• Click on Start.
• Click on Run. If you cannot find RUN, type it in the search box.
• Type "regedit" without quotes. This will launch the Registry Editor.
• Navigate to  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usbstor.
• In the work area, double click on Start.
• In the Value Data box, enter 4.
• Click on OK.
• Close Registry Editor and refresh your desktop.
• To re-enable access to your USB ports, enter 3 in the Value Data box in Step 6.

Try it yourself to make your PC invulnerable from data theft and malware which spread through USB ports. This works on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Note: This trick also disables access to your USB connected peripheral devices. So, do not use it if you have USB connected keyboard and mouse.

The Best Trick Of Wireless Home Networking

Fix Connectivity Issues

It sounds crazy, but 95 percent of all Internet connectivity problems can be solved by power-cycling both the router and the modem. Turn them both off, and then turn the modem back on first. Once its "sync" or signal light comes on, turn on your router.

Use Encryption

You've probably heard this before, but it bears repeating: Always enable your router's wireless security! Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption is the oldest (and weakest) form of security; the newer (and stronger) Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA-2 are the best protection available today for home users.

Update Your Router's Firmware

All routers include internal read-only chips with embedded instructions that can be updated by the manufacturer. Router manufacturers generally update a product's firmware to increase performance as well as to resolve bugs and security issues, so it's wise to keep your router's firmware up-to-date. Check the manufacturer's Web site for the latest updates.

Boost Your Wireless Signal

If walls and distance are causing wireless signal degradation, you can do a few things to boost it. Move your router to higher ground—the signal radiates downward. You can also try a signal extender (or repeater), which boosts the signal. Finally, high-gain antennas will work, but they only focus the signal in one direction.

Change Admin Password

Every router has a well-known default password that's used to access the router's browser-based configuration page. Most setup wizards will make you change this password, but not all do. If not, be sure to change it yourself to prevent unwanted hangers-on from changing your network's settings.

Go Back to Factory Settings

If you've lost or forgotten your router's login credentials, you can get around this predicament by resetting the router to its factory settings. Do this by holding down the button on the back of it for 30 seconds. Next, look in the manual for the default user name and password, and then change them on your router's browser-based configuration page.

Disable SSID Broadcast

Unless you disable it, your router broadcasts its service set identifier (SSID)—the name of your network—which allows your neighbors to see (and attempt to gain access to) your network. Instead, disable broadcasting, making the network appear as "SSID not broadcast." Access the unnamed network by typing in the SSID name when prompted.

Change the Default SSID

Change your pre-defined, default SSID—leaving it as "Linksys," for example, tells the world that you haven't configured your router, which invites attackers.

Filter by MAC Address

Every piece of networking gear includes a unique "fingerprint" called a media access control, or MAC, address. You can configure your router to filter connections using these addresses so that only your computers can connect to your network. Most routers will show you connected devices, so adding an adapter's MAC address is a one-click process.

Step Up to 5GHz

The majority of today's networks operate in the crowded 2.4GHz frequency range, which is shared by microwaves, cordless phones, and other home networks. To avoid possible interference, many new routers are capable of broadcasting at 5GHz, which has 23 wide-open channels as opposed to 2.4GHz's three non-overlapping channels.

Limit Your Number of DHCP Clients

Most people use their router as a DHCP server; when clients connect, the router dynamically assigns IP addresses from a large pool of addresses. Limiting that list to the number of clients in your home, however, will help prevent interlopers from hopping onto your network.

Use Your Router's Firewall

Two features make most hardware firewalls more powerful than software firewalls: stateful packet inspection (SPI) and network address translation (NAT). SPI examines packets' content and behavior before granting access, and NAT hides all PCs connected to the router from the Internet, "translating" their IP addresses into private ones that are unreachable from outside the firewall.

Change Your Channel

Wireless B and G (and some N) routers operate at the 2.4GHz frequency, which only has three non-overlapping channels: 1, 6 and 11. By default, your router will most likely be using one of these channels, and the bad news is so your neighbors' routers as well. If you experience dropped connections, sluggish performance or both, a good first step is to switch the channel. If it's set to channel 1, go to 11. If it's set to 6, try either 1 or 11 for best results.

Let Windows Control Your Wireless Networks

If a network adapter's software takes control of your wireless network, it can be difficult to put Windows back in charge. First, click Start, then Run, then type services.msc. Scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration and start the service. Right-click your wireless connection, select view available networks, and then click advanced settings on the left. Click the wireless networks tab, and check "Use Windows to Configure my wireless network settings."

Disable File Sharing in Public

If you're in a public place with a Net connection, it's a good idea to disable File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. In the properties of your network adapter, uncheck the appropriate box. It's also a good idea to switch your notebook's wireless radio off if you aren't using it. 

More Wireless Home Networking Tips and Tricks on powerofmoneyrace.blogspot.in

A Guide to 802.11n Wireless Home Networking 

Ten Fast Fixes for Wi-Fi Problems  

 

The Best Trick Of System Tweaks

Disable System Restore

You can gain a lot of drive space by disabling System Restore. (You should already have a backup regimen in place before you do this.) In Vista, right-click My Computer, select Advanced system settings, click the System Protection tab, and uncheck any drives. In XP, right-click My Computer, then under System Tasks, click on "View system information." Click on the System Restore tab and click the box next to "Turn off System Restore on all drives" to disable it.

Configure Windows Update

Windows Update is great, but if it's set on autopilot, it will download updates that require a reboot, then pester you forever to install them, and eventually reboot on its own. Change the Windows Update settings (in the Windows Security section of the Control Panel) to download updates but ask you whether to install them.

Disable Delete Confirmation

You can disable the confirmation that pops up whenever you delete something by right-clicking the Recycle Bin and selecting Properties. Uncheck the delete confirmation box, click Apply and then OK, and you're done. Also, you can bypass the Recycle Bin entirely by holding down the Shift key while deleting files.

 

Disable Windows Animations

Sliding Window animations look cool, but you can improve system performance by disabling them completely. Right-click My Computer and go to Properties. In Vista, select Advanced system settings, or click the Advanced tab in XP. Click Settings in the performance box and uncheck any box that says animate, slide, or fade.

Create a Custom Toolbar

If you're constantly accessing a particular folder, you can add it to your taskbar for quick access. Right-click the taskbar and scroll to Toolbars, then select New Toolbar. It will open an Explorer window, so browse to your folder and select it. It's also handy to add My Computer as a toolbar.

The Best Trick Of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

View Files in the Trash

With Leopard's Quick Look, you no longer have to drag items from the trash in order to view them. While in the trash folder, hit Command+Y while on any file to see a preview of its contents.

Change a Folder Icon

Want to change an icon to something more to your liking? First, find the icon you want. Then click on it, and hit Command+C to copy it. Click on the icon you want to change, and use Command+I to launch the folder info. Click on the old icon in the folder and use Command+V to paste the new icon.

Open New Tabs with the Address Bar in Safari

If you want to open an address in a new tab without deselecting your current tab, type the address into the address bar, then press Command+Enter. This allows you to work easily in multiple tabs.

Preview a Font

If you want to see what a font looks like, you don't have to open Font Book or a font manager. In Cover Flow, a font icon will appear as a small, two-letter sample of the font you have selected. To see a larger sample of the font, select a font file and use Quick Look (Command+Y) to see it, or just hit the spacebar.

Change Your Stack View

You can choose to view your stack in either a fan or a grid view. To change it, click on a stack until a menu appears. Then, select "View As" and choose either Fan or Grid. The stack will then open with your preferred style.

The Best Trick Of Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Vista and XP and Microsoft Office

Windows Key+E

The best part about shortcut keys is letting your keyboard do half the work. This is a perfect example: This shortcut allows you to open Windows Explorer with one quick keystroke.

Windows Key+M

This is the shortcut to keep in mind when you are at work doing anything but working—it allows you to minimize all of your open windows, leaving just the desktop left exposed. To restore the windows, hit Windows key+Shift+M. Another quick way to do this is Windows key+D, which shows your desktop; to restore, just repeat the same keystroke. This is a handy shortcut to have around the next time your boss is wandering through the office.

Alt+Tab

This allows you to easily scroll through all the windows you have open. If you're working in Word and referring to something in Explorer, for example, you can toggle back and forth between the two programs. You can also use this to switch between windows in the same program, making multitasking a breeze. Very similar is Windows key+Tab: In XP, it lets you scroll the items on the taskbar, and in Vista, it starts Flip 3D for a fun graphical spin on the same idea.

Alt+F4

This shortcut is a quick way to close a window in any program. Alt+Spacebar+C (which requires less stretching, but more keys) and Ctrl+W do the same thing. Any of the ways will allow you to close a window without using your mouse to hit the X in the upper-right corner.

Ctrl+Arrow Keys

In Microsoft Word, the left and right arrows allow you to move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word or the next word; the up and down arrows will do the same with paragraphs. This is very helpful when editing a document or scanning for any reason.

Shift+Delete

If you want to delete a file—and you don't want to deal with it later in the Recycle Bin—this is the way to go. Just be absolutely sure that this is a file you won't want back!

Hold Shift While Inserting a CD

Have you ever wanted to insert a CD and not use it right away? This shortcut allows you to bypass Autorun when inserting a CD so you can control exactly when you will use a CD you've inserted.

Ctrl+Drag

There are many ways to copy a file, but this just might be the easiest. All you have to do is click on the file, hold, and drag it into its desired location. This works the same as another handy shortcut, Ctrl+C.

Windows Key+U+U

Quickly shut down Windows by hitting the Windows key (don't hold it down), hitting U to reach the shutdown menu, and then hitting U again to shut down.

Windows Key+Pause

Need a quick way to get to the Systems Properties menu without too much thought? Just press these two keys and you'll be brought right to it.

Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Y

Undo an action by hitting Ctrl+Z; if you change your mind, Ctrl+Y will redo the undo.

Shift + Arrow Keys

Holding shift and pressing one of the arrow keys will highlight text in Word (or a group of Excel cells) without the mouse, selecting in the direction the arrow points.

Ctrl+U, Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I

This one's for Office newbies. It's a snap to underline, bold, and italicize without the mouse if you press Ctrl+U (underlining), Ctrl+B (bolding), or Ctrl+I (italicizing).

The Best Trick Of Windows XP

Control Inactive System Tray Icons

You don't have to hide or show all the icons in your system tray—you can control their disappearing acts. Right-click on the taskbar and select Properties. Click on the checkbox next to "Hide inactive icons" (if it's not checked by default), then click on the Customize button. For each item on this list, you can choose "Hide when inactive," "Always hide," or "Always show" options to decide what you'll see and when. 

 

 

Fit More Icons on Your Desktop

If your screen is so cluttered with Word documents and program shortcuts that you can't see the rolling meadows of your wallpaper, you don't need to move piles of stuff to the Recycling Bin. Just change the amount of space between icons. Right-click on the desktop, select Properties, then click on the Appearance tab, and click the Advanced button. In the "Item" drop-down, scroll down to Icon Spacing (Horizontal) and Icon Spacing (Vertical); changing the value in the "Size" field will move icons closer together (while increasing the number will move them farther apart). When you're done, click OK. To make your existing icons follow these rules, right-click on the desktop, select "Arrange Icons By" and then click Align to Grid, then go back to the same menu and click "Auto Arrange."

Shut Down from Your Desktop

If you're trying to eliminate every extraneous mouse click, you can shut down your computer with an icon on the desktop. Right-click on your desktop, click "New," and then click "Shortcut." In the "Type the location of the item" field, type "shutdown -s -t 00" to give you a way to shut down the computer immediately. (Change the -s to -r to create a reboot shortcut instead.)

Change What Programs Start When Windows Does

You can prevent a lot of apps forcing Windows into chilled-molasses boot times—without uninstalling anything. Click Start, then "Run...," and type msconfig. This brings up the System Configuration Utility window. Click on the Startup tab to see a list of all the apps slated to start when you boot up Windows. Click the check mark next to any you don't want, and then click OK to save your choices.

Type With an Onscreen Keyboard 

Whether you have trouble with your hands or you just prefer using the mouse, typing with Windows' onscreen keyboard can be a great convenience. Navigate to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility, and click "On-Screen Keyboard." Click OK to clear the dialogue box and then start "typing"—you can even change the settings to "press" keys just by hovering your mouse over the letter you want (enable this feature by selecting "Typing Mode" from the Settings menu).

No-wait Screen Savers

Don't want to wait for your screen saver to kick in? Create a shortcut to it just as you would for any other program by hitting Windows key + F to search your computer and click on "All files and folders." Type "*.scr" in the "All or part of the file name" field to find every screen saver file on your computer. In the resulting list, right-click and drag the screen saver you want to your desktop. Whenever you want it to start, just double-click its icon

The Best Trick Of Windows Vista

Advanced Screen Captures with the Snipping Tool

Leave the Prt Scrn key in the 1980s where it belongs. In the Accessories folder on the Start menu, you'll find Vista's Snipping Tool, which lets you capture just the part of the screen you want. Start it up, click and drag the mouse to outline the area you want to preserve, and release the mouse button. After you've snipped, you can draw on the image with a pen tool, highlight or erase certain portions, or save it to a file.

Display Multiple Clocks 

 

If you're a frequent traveler or have friends or family in another time zone, you can set up Vista to display multiple clocks at once. Click on the clock in the Start bar, then click "Change date and time settings"¦," and then the Additional Clocks tab. Check the box next to "Show this clock" for each additional clock you want to add, then specify the time zone and display name for each clock. After you apply your changes by clicking OK, clicking on the clock in the Start bar will show you the clocks for every time zone you've selected.

Improve Program Access with Quick Launch 

 

The Quick Launch toolbar doesn't get a lot of respect, but it's a great way to launch your regular apps faster. If the toolbar isn't visible, right-click on the Start bar, select Toolbars, click on Quick Launch to add it, and then drag programs or shortcuts to it. You can start programs instantly just by clicking or, better yet, use the Windows key. Windows key+1 will open the leftmost program, Windows key+2 the next one, and so on, up to 10 (the 10th opens with Windows key+0).

Windows Mobility Center 

 

Sorry, desktop users, this one's just for the notebook folks. The Windows Mobility Center, which you access by pressing Windows key+X, gives you the opportunity to tweak all sorts of settings on your laptop, all in one convenient place. You can change your display brightness, adjust the volume, check your battery status, turn off wireless connectivity, switch your screen orientation, set up an external display, and more.

Find things now with Instant Search 

 

You don't have to open up a special window to find the files or programs you're looking for. Just hit the Windows key or click the Start button and start typing—Vista will present you organized lists of the top files and programs that match the text you've entered. (If you want to see Vista's full findings, click on the "See all results" link at the bottom of the Instant Search window.)

Change Preinstalled Vista Features

If you don't think you'll ever use preset features like Remote Differential Compression, the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 XPS Viewer, or Windows Meeting Space—or if you really need a simple telnet client—it's easy to remove or add them. Go to the Control Panel, click on "Uninstall a program," and select "Turn Windows features on our off." Then just click on the checkboxes to add elements you need—and lose those you don't.

Maximize Performance

Not sure if your computer is operating at maximum efficiency? Vista can let you know for sure. Just check out the Reliability and Performance Monitor, which you'll find at Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Performance Information and Tools > Advanced Tools > Generate a system health report. Windows will check your disk drives, drivers, services, software and hardware configuration, and more to give you a full accounting of what might be causing you trouble. If it finds a problem, it will explain it to you in detail and suggest how to resolve it.