Vista Clock for Windows Sidebar

This gadget contains several "Vista-styled" clocks, you can enable the second hand and change the clock in the Options dialog box (right click on the gadget and select Options).

You can drag the gadgets to you desktop and use them as Desktop Gadgets (like AveDesk & Samurize).
When you right click on the Sidebar and select close, the Sidebar minimizes to the system tray & the Desktop Gadgets are still on the desktop.

You can remove the buttons that appear when you hover over the Gadgets with the Sidebar Patch.

> VistaClock.zip (529 KB) -> Right Click - Save Target As...


Remove the arrow (Shortcut Overlay) without side effects (32 & 64-bit)

Most Tweak programs remove the arrows by renaming or removing the IsShortCut String Values from the registry.
Windows uses this value to track links, if you remove or rename the IsShortCut value lots of programs and features that use links won't work correctly -> in Vista the shortcuts in Favorite Links, Media Center and in the Games Explorer won't work anymore.

The files in the zip file below remove the arrows the same way as TweakUI does in previous Windows versions; it refers the icon to another icon.
If you refer it to a completely blank icon, the overlays turn black when you restart Explorer or Log Off and Log On again.
Solution: I've created a blank icon with some transparent pixels and with the same sizes as the default arrow -> no more arrows & no black overlays.

Install: If you used a program or a reg file that removed the IsShortCut values; merge RestoreArrow.reg to restore them.
Copy Blank.ico to your Windows directory and merge RemoveArrow.reg.
Log Off and Log On or Restart your computer.

Uninstall: Merge RestoreArrow.reg and remove Blank.ico from your Windows directory.
Log Off and Log On or Restart your computer.

Edit: Sometimes it's not enough to Log Off and Log On or Restart your computer to rebuild the icon cache.
If the overlays display a wrong icon or if they don't change then turn off your computer and turn it on again.

If someone knows another way to rebuild the icon cache in Vista, please let me know.



Disabling Services

Change services according to your computer config -> Disabling Services guide by Slimy


Replace Vista's startup sound

How to replace Vista's startup sound guide by rm20010


Extended Disc Cleanup

The command line parameters sageset & sagerun still work in Vista.
You can set it to delete files from a previous Windows installation, error dump files, Temporary Windows installation files, Thumbnails, Files discarded by Windows upgrade, Error Reporting Files, ect.
Note: It performs a Disc Cleanup on all disks.

You can use the shortcut in the attached zip file or create a new shortcut with this command line:
%SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:65535 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535
Edit the shortcut (Right click and select Properties), set it to run Minimized and change the Icon to %SystemRoot%\System32\Cleanmgr.exe.



Keyboard shortcuts

Windows logo key+1-0 -> Launch the shortcuts on the Quick Launch toolbar
Windows logo key+T -> Cycle through programs on the taskbar
Windows logo key+TAB -> Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
CTRL+Windows logo key+TAB -> Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
Windows logo key+SPACEBAR -> Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
Windows logo key+G -> Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
Windows logo key+X -> Open Windows Mobility Center

• Full list of keyboard shortcuts in Vista
• Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts
• Windows Mail keyboard shortcuts


Add Search Providers to Internet Explorer 7

To add a provider to the Internet Explorer 7 Instant Search box, click on the down arrow (next to the search glass) at the Search box & click on "Find More Providers".
Select one of the Web Search or Topic Search provider's to add them to the list, you can add custom Search provider's in the "Create Your Own" section on the right.
You can switch the search provider by clicking on the down arrow at the Search box -> select the provider that you want to use.
The search provider's are saved in the registry, I've exported some of my favorites, just merge them + restart Internet Explorer and they are added to the list.

The zip file below contains the following SearchScopes:
• AeroXperience Forums
• deviantART - All, Digital Art, Icons, Photography, Skins & Themes + Wallpapers (find that lost wallpaper )
• Dogpile Web Search
• Event ID (Enter an Event ID number to get the description)
• Google & Google Image Search
• IMDb Search (Movie Database)
• Ixquick Metasearch & Ixquick Picturesearch
• MetaCrawler
• MSDN Enhanced Search
• Neowin Forums
• Oth.Net FTP Search
• SourceForge.net
• TechNet - Event ID (Enter an Event ID number to get the description)
• The Register
• Wikipedia
• YouTube



Windows Media Center: Command Line Parameters

These Command Line Switches launches Windows Media Center and cause it to navigate directly to one of the built-in experiences:

%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /directmedia:discplayback - Begins playback of the disc in the drive
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:VideoFullscreen.xml /PushStartPage:True - Live TV
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:VideoGuide.xml /PushStartPage:True - TV Guide
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:RecordedTV.BrowsePage.xml /PushStartPage:True - Recorded TV
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:VideoToBeRecorded.xml /PushStartPage:True - Scheduled Recordings
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:Radio.BrowsePage.xml /PushStartPage:True - Radio
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:Radio.xml - FM Radio
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:MusicBrowsePage.xml /PushStartPage:True - Music Library
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:VideosBrowsePage.xml /PushStartPage:True - Video Library
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:PhotosBrowsePage.xml /PushStartPage:True - Picture Library
%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehshell.exe /homepage:Options.Home.xml /PushStartPage:True - Settings Menu


Edit the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Windows Vista’s new bootmanager is a double-edged sword. It’s one of the most powerful booting scripts in existence, and a far cry from the very limiting boot.ini of legacy Windows operating systems. But at the same time, Microsoft shows its disregard for other simultaneously installed operating systems. It overwrites the MBR without a second thought, and doesn’t provide any means for users of alternate operating systems and boot managers to use their old system. That’s where EasyBCD 1.5 comes in!

EasyBCD is NeoSmart Technologies' multiple award-winning answer to tweaking the new Windows Vista bootloader. With EasyBCD, almost anything is possible. Setting up and configuring Windows boot entries is simple, and there is no easier way to quickly boot right into Linux, Mac OS X, or BSD straight from the Windows Vista bootloader - on the fly, no expert knowledge needed!

Automated MBR and BCD backups, boot sector restore kits, support for a dozen+ operating systems, detailed configuration of all boot entries, and award-winning guaranteed technical support is what makes EasyBCD stand out - all for free!


How to get yourself some 24h time (tip by Slimy)

Start -> Control Panel -> Regional and Language Options -> Formats -> Customize this Format -> Time -> Time Format -> Capitalize the "h"
Your final Time Format should be: H:mm:ss or HH:mm:ss
The difference of the two is the first will display 8 ocklock as 8:00 and the second will display it as 08:00


Hide the Volume Icon

In previous Windows versions you can enable/disable the Volume Icon in "Sounds and Audio Devices",
in Vista you can toggle it in the "Notification Area" tab in "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties":
Right click on the Taskbar and select Properties, click on the "Notification Area" tab, uncheck/check Volume and click on Apply.

If you want to access the Mixer and the other functions, you can use these shortcuts:
• Master Volume Left: SndVol.exe -f 0
• Master Volume Right: SndVol.exe -f 49825268
• Volume Mixer Left: SndVol.exe -r 0
• Volume Mixer Right: SndVol.exe -r 49490633
• Playback Devices: control.exe mmsys.cpl,,0
• Recording Devices: control.exe mmsys.cpl,,1
• Sounds: control.exe mmsys.cpl,,2


Configuring User Account Control (UAC)

• What is User Account Control
• User Account Control Step by Step Guide
• Configuring User Account Control settings

If you want to reduce your mouse clicks by at least 50%, here's how to turn it off:
Open the Start Menu and click on your User Picture.
Click on "Turn User Account Control on or Off".
Deselect "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer"
Click on OK and restart your computer.


The definite guide to applying wallpapers in Vista (source)

This guide will show you the best way to stretch and apply wallpapers in Windows Vista whilst maintaining the best quality possible.
Windows Vista has a critical design flaw that prohibits wallpapers from being interpolated when stretched to the appropriate screen resolution.
Image interpolation is a mathematical method of upscaling images when the ratio is not dividable by 2. This is a problem because you are trying to scale for example 1 pixel into 1.3 pixels. Technically that is impossible, but with image interpolation, you could ‘mix’ pixels to create a perception of smooth gradual transitions between two pixels.
In Windows Vista, for some silly reason, the desktop control panel does not perform image interpolation correctly on JPEG images. Therefore, when you apply a wallpaper not exactly the same size as your screen resolution, the end result can be awful. But however, bitmap (BMP) images ARE properly interpolated from the control panel.

The mind-blowingly simple solution -> use the “Set as Desktop Background” function when you right-click images.
The “Set as Desktop Background” function utilizes the PIX engine, which powers the Windows Photo Gallery application. PIX supports image interpolation, and applies it correctly to images when you set as a wallpaper.
More info and screenshots at istartedsomething.


Enable Aurora boot screen (source)

If you are tired of the default boot screen in Windows Vista, there is a better looking one hidden away:

1) Press Win+R, type msconfig and press Enter.
2) If User Account Control prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue.
3) In the "System Configuration" window, click on the Boot tab.
4) Select your Windows Vista installation and under "Boot options", check "No GUI boot".
Press OK.
5) In the dialog that appears, check "Don’t show this message again", and then click on Restart.
6) Your computer will now reboot, and you will see the Aurora boot screen with text that says "Starting Windows Vista".


Change the Start Menu Power button to Shut Down instead of Sleep

Open the Control Panel and click on Power Options.
Select the Power Plan that you want to use and click on "Change plan settings".
Click on Change advanced power settings, double click on "Power buttons and lid".
Double click on "Start menu power button", change the Setting to Shotdown.


Disable Hibernation (source)

Windows places a file on your hard drive that it uses when your computer goes into hibernation mode. If you do not use hibernation mode, or your computer does not properly support it, you may want to disable hibernation and clear the file off your hard drive to free up some space (the file will use as much space as you have in physical memory, so if you have 1GB of RAM, it’s going to use 1GB of your hard drive space).

Disable Hibernation:

1. Click Start, All Programs, and then right click on "Command Prompt".
2. From the context menu click on "Run as administrator".
3. If User Account Control prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue.
4. In the command prompt window, type "powercfg –h off" (without the quotes).
4. Close the Command Prompt window.

Delete the Hibernation File:

1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click "Disk Cleanup".
2. If prompted to choose a drive, select the drive in which Windows Vista is installed on to and press OK.
3. Disk Cleanup will scan the hard drive and present you with a list of options.
4. Check "Hibernation File Cleaner", and then click OK.
5. When asked "Are you sure you want to permanently delete these files?" click on the Delete Files button.


Hidden Open Command Window Here Context Menu item

Open a folder, press Shift + Right Click -> Open Command Window Here


Nameless Recycle Bin

Everybody can see, by looking at the icon, that it's the Recycle Bin right?.., so why name it?!
Merge RecycleBin_NoName.reg and Refresh your Desktop and the name is gone.
Merge RecycleBin_Default.reg and Refresh your Desktop to restore the name.



Add Window Switcher to the context menu from all folders

The reg file in the zip file below adds the Window Switcher (Flip 3D) command to the Right click menu from all folders (including the Desktop).



Menu Bar Keyboard Shortcut

Show Menu Bar -> Open a folder and press & release Alt (also works in Internet Explorer).


Huuuuuuuge Icons on your Desktop

Click on your Desktop, press Ctrl + Scroll Up (this works in any folder).
You can make them larger then when you select Large Icons from the menu (Right Click -> View -> Large Icons).


Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots

Start Menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Snipping Tool
You can use Snipping Tool to capture a screen shot, or snip, of any object on your screen and then annotate, save, or share the image. Simply use the mouse to capture any of the following types of snips:
• Free-form Snip: Draw an irregular line, such as a circle or a triangle, around an object.
• Rectangular Snip: Draw a precise line by dragging the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.
• Window Snip: Select a window, such as a browser window or dialog box, that you want to capture.
• Full-screen Snip: Capture the entire screen when you select this type of snip.
After you capture a snip, it's automatically copied to the mark-up window, where you can annotate, save, or share the snip.


Windows Defender: Command Line Parameters

Example: "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -Hide -CheckForUpdates

-Hide [hide Windows Defender window]
-UpdateAndQuickScan [does'nt work yet, it performs an update but the Quick Scan does'nt start]
-CheckForUpdates [Check for Updates]
-FullScan [Full System Scan]
-QuickScan [Quick Scan]
-ScanResults [opens the Scan Results window]
-Settings [opens the Options panel]
-ShowSWE [Software Explorer]
-ShowSWE:Startup [Software Explorer @ Startup programs]
-ShowSWE:Running [Software Explorer @ Currently running programs]
-ShowSWE:Network [Software Explorer @ Network-connected programs]


Delete Browsing History commands (IE7)

• Delete Temporary Internet Files:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8
• Delete Cookies:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 2
• Delete History:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 1
• Delete Form Data:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 16
• Delete Passwords:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 32
• Delete All:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 255
• Delete All + files and settings stored by Add-ons:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 4351


Launch Chess Titans Fullscreen (like when you start it from Windows Media Center)

Edit the shortcut and add -mce behind the command.
Example: "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Games\chess\chess.exe" -mce
Also works with Freecell, Hearts, Mahjong Titans, Purble Place & (Spider) Solitaire.
Con: Windows Media Center starts when you exit the game.


Add "Show & Hide System Files" to the Context Menu from all folders

The files in the zip file below add a new Context Menu Item to all folders (also works in XP).
When you select it, it will Unhide or Hide the System & Hidden Files and refresh the directory.
A ToolTip will confirm if the files are hidden or unhidden.

Install: Copy SuperHidden.exe & msvcr71.dll to your System32 directory and merge "Add SuperHidden.reg".
Uninstall: Remove SuperHidden.exe from your System32 directory and merge "Remove SuperHidden.reg".

> SuperHidden.zip (341 KB) -> Right Click - Save Target As...


MinUnMinAll - Toggle MinimizeAll/UndoMinimizeAll (alternative for Show Desktop)

The Show Desktop command minimizes all applications + it sets the Z-Order of the Desktop to topmost.
It also hides applications that you don't want to hide: the Sidebar, docks, calendars, widgets, etc.
MinUnMinAll simply minimizes all applications that support the minimize operation (also works in XP).

Install: Copy msvcr71.dll to your System32 directory.
Copy MinUnMinAll.exe to anywhere you want and create a shortcut in Quick Launch.

> MinUnMinAll.zip (349 KB) -> Right Click - Save Target As...


Replace the Win+D hotkey with Win+M - Win+Shift+M

Win+D.exe replaces the Win+D hotkey (Show Desktop) with Win+M - Win+Shift+M (Toggle MinimizeAll / UndoMinimizeAll).
It runs hidden in the background, you can close it with Task Manager.

Install: Copy msvcr71.dll to your System32 directory.
Copy Win+D.exe to anywhere you want and create a shortcut in the Startup folder.

> Win+D.zip (338 KB) -> Right Click - Save Target As...


Start Search Bar -> Run Dialog Box

You can use the Start Search Bar to launch programs like the Run Dialog Box.


Know some more? Please share them!

This post has been edited by Herby: Dec 17 2006, 12:02

Attached File(s) ExtendedDiscCleanup.zip ( 660bytes ) Number of downloads: 624
RecycleBin.zip ( 881bytes ) Number of downloads: 384
RemoveArrow.zip ( 2.27k ) Number of downloads: 959
Flip3D.zip ( 893bytes ) Number of downloads: 646
VistaClock.png ( 31.25k ) Number of downloads: 9
SearchScopes.zip ( 10.82k ) Number of downloads: 318
vista2.png ( 29.42k ) Number of downloads: 7