Get you a spare 4GB USB 2.0 thumbdrive (at least 1GB for XP), reformat it as FAT32, and simply copy the contents of the Windows 7 ISO image to the memory stick using xcopy e:\ f:\ /e /f (where e: was the DVD drive and f: was the removable drive location)
If you don't have a ISO image of the disk, you will need to make one...if will make alot easier.
Have fun :)
February 16, 2009
February 15, 2009
Auto Login
Follow these simple step by step instructions to enable Windows 7 to automatically log you in
Press Win + R to access Run -> type in “control userpasswords2” -> Enter.
In the User Accounts windows that has just appeared before you, uncheck “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” -> OK.
You will have to confirm your password for the OS to process the modifications.
Press Win + R to access Run -> type in “control userpasswords2” -> Enter.
In the User Accounts windows that has just appeared before you, uncheck “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” -> OK.
You will have to confirm your password for the OS to process the modifications.
Enable Hidden Admin Account
When installing Windows 7, the software will automatically set up an administrator account, which will later on be disabled (default behavior that also occurs when installing Windows Vista). Whenever you want to perform tasks under the administrator account with no UAC (user account control), you need to enable the admin account.
A word of warning first: it is advisable not use the admin account on a day to day basis, only enable it when you have to address some problem or issue that can only be fixed otherwise (guest accounts offer limited accessibility, but from a security point of view are safer).
To enable the admin account, follow this simple step by step:
Right click on Command Prompt -> Run as administrator -> type in the command
“net user administrator /active:yes”.
You might want to password protect you newly enabled admin account, so type in “Net user administrator password”. Replace “password” with the password of your choice. Log off after the command has been executed. When you login you will notice that the admin account has been enabled. To disable it once again, use the “net user administrator /active:no” command.
Alternative way of enabling the admin account:- Start -> Search -> type in “secpol.msc” -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> Accounts: Administrator Account -> double click to enable/disable -> Log off and log back in to see the modifications.
A word of warning first: it is advisable not use the admin account on a day to day basis, only enable it when you have to address some problem or issue that can only be fixed otherwise (guest accounts offer limited accessibility, but from a security point of view are safer).
To enable the admin account, follow this simple step by step:
Right click on Command Prompt -> Run as administrator -> type in the command
“net user administrator /active:yes”.
You might want to password protect you newly enabled admin account, so type in “Net user administrator password”. Replace “password” with the password of your choice. Log off after the command has been executed. When you login you will notice that the admin account has been enabled. To disable it once again, use the “net user administrator /active:no” command.
Alternative way of enabling the admin account:- Start -> Search -> type in “secpol.msc” -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> Accounts: Administrator Account -> double click to enable/disable -> Log off and log back in to see the modifications.
February 8, 2009
Create a System Repair/Recovery Disc
New in Windows 7 is the ability to create a system repair CD that will help you recover your computer from serious errors preventing windows from starting up. The recovery disc is based on Windows PE and includes the standard recovery options that are found on any Windows 7 installation disc.
If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, that doubles as a repair disc so you don’t need another. This article is only useful for users that have Windows 7 pre-installed and did not receive the installation media with their computer.
Creating the disc is very simple. Just click on the start button and type in resdisc and press Enter.
Calibrate your display
Windows 7 includes a new tool to help you calibrate the correct gamma, contrast, brightness and color settings for your specific display.
Just click on the Start Button and type in dccw and hit Enter.
Then follow the on screen directions and adjust the sliders so that the test picture look like the “Good” sample picture.
Just click on the Start Button and type in dccw and hit Enter.
Then follow the on screen directions and adjust the sliders so that the test picture look like the “Good” sample picture.
February 6, 2009
Video Hands-On with Microsoft Windows 7
What's new in Windows 7? In this 10-part series of hands-on video lessons, we take you through notable features for IT admins, new networking series, application enhancements, and more.
This is a good site to get a idea of what to look foward too.
http://www.cio.com/article/479205/Video_Hands_On_with_Microsoft_Windows_
This is a good site to get a idea of what to look foward too.
http://www.cio.com/article/479205/Video_Hands_On_with_Microsoft_Windows_
Windows 7 will come in many flavors
Despite criticism that Windows Vista came in too many versions, Microsoft is moving ahead with plans to offer just as many editions of Windows 7.
Although the software maker will offer at least six distinct versions of the new operating system, Microsoft said to expect almost all PCs sold in the U.S. to come with either the Home Premium or Professional editions of the operating system.
"We're going to focus on two versions," Microsoft Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said in an interview, noting that those two versions will likely account for 80 percent of Windows 7 sales.
Still, versions of Windows 7 will include: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. Unlike with Vista, however, the Home Basic version will be sold only in emerging markets.
So, if Microsoft is going to focus on two, why bother with all of the other versions? Veghte says it comes down to the fact that there are just so many places in which Windows is sold.
For emerging markets, for example, Microsoft needs to have lower-priced versions. As a result, Microsoft plans the severely limited Windows 7 Starter as well as the bare bones, but relatively full-featured home basic version. Volume license customers will be able to get an enterprise version that includes BitLocker encryption and a couple of other enterprise-only features. For consumers who really want access to those features, there will again be an Ultimate version of the operating system.
That's not to say Microsoft is doing everything the same with Windows 7. Veghte said that Microsoft learned some important lessons from Vista.
One specific criticism with the Vista packages was the fact that there were features in Home Premium that weren't in the pricier Vista Business edition. With Windows 7, each higher-priced version will be a superset of the other versions. For example, the Professional version of Windows 7 includes Windows Media Center.
Also, Microsoft will make it easier to move from one version to another. With Vista, Microsoft introduced the notion of being able to easily upgrade from one version to another, though a special upgrade disk was needed. Windows 7, despite its many versions, will actually come as a single piece of code, or image. That means all the features will come loaded onto a Windows 7 PC, ready to be unlocked with an upgrade product key.
As for the specific versions, Windows 7 Starter has some of the key features of WIndows 7, such as the new taskbar, but not the live thumbnail previews. It is also limited to three applications running at a time and will have limitations on the kinds of screen resolutions and processors it will support.
Home Basic, which will be sold only in emerging markets, removes the screen size, processor, and open application limits and adds support for Internet connection sharing and the new sensor and location-based features. However, Home Basic lacks such things as multitouch support or the Aero interface. DVD playback and Windows Media Center are also found in the Home Premium and Professional editions, but not in Basic or Starter.
The ability to use presentation mode or join a domain are two examples of features that are found in Windows 7 Professional, but not in any of the home versions. Finally, you'll need either Ultimate or Enterprise for a few features, such as DirectAccess, BitLocker, or booting from a virtual hard drive.
Regardless of the rationale, having so many versions of Windows 7--not to mention any additional versions mandated by antitrust regulators around the world--will certainly open Microsoft up to additional criticism and probably some mocking from the folks in Cupertino.
To some degree, the customization is necessary. After all, while Apple may boast of only having one version--it essentially targets only the high end of the consumer market--the segment served by Home Premium.
However, the need for an Ultimate version, particularly now that the Professional version will have Media Center and other consumer features, seems somewhat dubious.
Story courtesy of Ina Fried
Although the software maker will offer at least six distinct versions of the new operating system, Microsoft said to expect almost all PCs sold in the U.S. to come with either the Home Premium or Professional editions of the operating system.
"We're going to focus on two versions," Microsoft Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said in an interview, noting that those two versions will likely account for 80 percent of Windows 7 sales.
Still, versions of Windows 7 will include: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. Unlike with Vista, however, the Home Basic version will be sold only in emerging markets.
So, if Microsoft is going to focus on two, why bother with all of the other versions? Veghte says it comes down to the fact that there are just so many places in which Windows is sold.
For emerging markets, for example, Microsoft needs to have lower-priced versions. As a result, Microsoft plans the severely limited Windows 7 Starter as well as the bare bones, but relatively full-featured home basic version. Volume license customers will be able to get an enterprise version that includes BitLocker encryption and a couple of other enterprise-only features. For consumers who really want access to those features, there will again be an Ultimate version of the operating system.
That's not to say Microsoft is doing everything the same with Windows 7. Veghte said that Microsoft learned some important lessons from Vista.
One specific criticism with the Vista packages was the fact that there were features in Home Premium that weren't in the pricier Vista Business edition. With Windows 7, each higher-priced version will be a superset of the other versions. For example, the Professional version of Windows 7 includes Windows Media Center.
Also, Microsoft will make it easier to move from one version to another. With Vista, Microsoft introduced the notion of being able to easily upgrade from one version to another, though a special upgrade disk was needed. Windows 7, despite its many versions, will actually come as a single piece of code, or image. That means all the features will come loaded onto a Windows 7 PC, ready to be unlocked with an upgrade product key.
As for the specific versions, Windows 7 Starter has some of the key features of WIndows 7, such as the new taskbar, but not the live thumbnail previews. It is also limited to three applications running at a time and will have limitations on the kinds of screen resolutions and processors it will support.
Home Basic, which will be sold only in emerging markets, removes the screen size, processor, and open application limits and adds support for Internet connection sharing and the new sensor and location-based features. However, Home Basic lacks such things as multitouch support or the Aero interface. DVD playback and Windows Media Center are also found in the Home Premium and Professional editions, but not in Basic or Starter.
The ability to use presentation mode or join a domain are two examples of features that are found in Windows 7 Professional, but not in any of the home versions. Finally, you'll need either Ultimate or Enterprise for a few features, such as DirectAccess, BitLocker, or booting from a virtual hard drive.
Regardless of the rationale, having so many versions of Windows 7--not to mention any additional versions mandated by antitrust regulators around the world--will certainly open Microsoft up to additional criticism and probably some mocking from the folks in Cupertino.
To some degree, the customization is necessary. After all, while Apple may boast of only having one version--it essentially targets only the high end of the consumer market--the segment served by Home Premium.
However, the need for an Ultimate version, particularly now that the Professional version will have Media Center and other consumer features, seems somewhat dubious.
Story courtesy of Ina Fried
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