[SolidState]

Proton02's List of Windows Tutorials

F.A.P. w/ Solutions



Credits to VG - Softpedia


Some HowTo's and Tweaks require a program. If you don't have the required program, Go to this page.

Tutorial List:

===============


NEW:

How To Remove Fake Antivirus Programs

===============

OTHER:

How to Re-enable Missing Hibernate Option in Windows Vista?

How to Fix Folder Rename Problem in Windows Vista?

How to Add Missing Search in Folders Context Menu in Windows Vista with SP1?

How to Restore Missing New Menuitem in Desktop and Explorer Context Menu?

How to Restore Recycle Bin Icon on Desktop in Windows Vista & Server 2008?

How to Uninstall Windows Vista on a Multiboot System?

Solution: .EXE Files Always Open with Notepad or Other Applications

How to Fix Corrupt Drive Icons in My Computer?

Solution: File & Folder Names are not Visible in Windows Explorer

How to Restore Missing Send To Menuitem in File and Folder Context Menus?

How to Reset / Remove / Bypass a BIOS or CMOS Password?

How to Change or Reset Product Key of Microsoft Office XP, 2003 and 2007?

Options to Change Hidden Files and Folders Settings are not Available in Folder Options

How to Fix / Troubleshoot Various Taskbar Problems in Windows?

How to Remove Linux Boot Loader From Startup After Deleting Linux Partition on a Dual-Boot System?

How to Fix Annoying Folder View Type Problem in Windows Vista?

Windows XP SP3 Setup Error: Cannot Update a Checked (Debug) System with a Free (Retail) Version of Service Pack 3

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Setup Error: Access is denied.

The Best and The Easiest Way to Slipstream Service Pack 3 (SP3) into Windows XP Setup

How to Fix “Windows NT Setup Files Detected” Error Message While Running UXTheme Patcher in Windows XP

Hidden Trick to Exit Windows Explorer Using Shutdown Dialog Box in Windows XP

Create Shortcuts to Themes, Desktop Background, Screen Saver, Display Settings and More

How to Customize Default Places Bar in Windows Common File Dialog Box?

Customize “New Folder” and “New Shortcut” Text in Windows XP

How to Disable Aero Peek in Windows 7?

How to Remove Windows 7 RC Watermark (Build Info) from Desktop?

How to Disable Aero Shake in Windows 7?

How to Set Restrictions in Mozilla Firefox? Restrict Downloads, Adding Bookmarks, Add-ons, Changing Options, etc

How to Fix Old Classic Context Menu Problem in Windows Vista and 7

How to Disable Mozilla Crash Reporter aka “Breakpad” in Firefox, Thunderbird and SeaMonkey

Copy Your Important Data from Physically Damaged Disks

[Fix] Wmploc.dll Version Number Error While Opening Windows Media Player

How to Fix “Task Manager has been Disabled by Your Administrator"?

How to Disable / Restrict Use of USB Storage Devices in Windows?

Speed up Windows XP Shutdown

Bring Back Quick Launch on Windows 7

This post has been edited by Proton02: 23 January 2010 - 12:41 PM

[SolidState]

How to Re-enable Missing Hibernate Option in Windows Vista?

One of the most common problem in Windows Vista is "Missing Hibernate option in startmenu". I get many mails asking for "how to enable the hibernate option in Vista?".

Actually its a known issue in Vista. The hibernate option disappears whenever you run "Disk Cleanup" because Disk Cleanup wizard also removes Hibernate files. So if you use Hibernate then make sure you deselect "Hibernattion File Cleaner" option from the list in future.

Anyway its very easy to re-enable missing Hibernate option by following these simple steps:

1. Click on "Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories". Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run As Administrator". If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing "cmd" in Startmenu Search box and press "Ctrl+Shift+Enter".

2. Now provide any of following commands:

CODE

    powercfg /hibernate on
    powercfg -h on

3. Exit command prompt and Hibernate option should appear in Startmenu.

[SolidState]

How to Fix Folder Rename Problem in Windows Vista?

A few Vista users have mailed me about a strange problem. Whenever they try to rename a file or folder, Windows shows following error message:



If you are also facing this problem, then just download following Zip file, extract it and then run the extracted .REG file:

vista_rename_problem_fix.zip

Restart your system and your problem should be fixed.

[SolidState]

How to Add Missing Search in Folders Context Menu in Windows Vista with SP1?

If you are a Windows Vista user and installed SP1 recently, then you might have noticed missing "Search" option in folders context menu (the menu which appear when you right-click). Windows Vista SP1 removes the "Search" option from folders context menu.


It sounds strange but there is a way to get the option back. So here is a small tutorial to get the missing Search option back:

1. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\find

2. In right-side pane, delete String value "LegacyDisable".



3. Thats it. The "Search" option will be back in folders context menu:

[SolidState]

How to Restore Missing New Menuitem in Desktop and Explorer Context Menu?

If you can't find "New" menu item in the context menu in your Windows like shown in following screenshot:



Then just download following Zip file, extract it and then run the extracted .REG file:

Download Link: add_missing_new_context_menu_item.zip

It'll restore the missing "New" menu item in any Windows version you are using and it'll be back as shown in following screenshot:

[SolidState]

How to Restore Recycle Bin Icon on Desktop in Windows Vista & Server 2008?

If you are using Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 and have accidentally deleted Recycle Bin icon from Desktop, then no need to worry. You can easily restore its icon on Desktop using following simple method:

1. Right-click on Desktop and select "Personalize". It'll open Personalization window. Now click on "Change desktop icons" link in left side pane. OR you can open it directly by providing following command in RUN or Startmenu Search box:

CODE

control desk.cpl,,@web

2. It'll open "Desktop Icon Settings" window as shown in following screenshot:



3. Just enable "Recycle Bin" and Apply it.

4. Thats it. Your missing Recycle Bin icon will be back on Desktop.

Same tutorial can be used for enabling other Desktop icons.

[SolidState]

How to Uninstall Windows Vista on a Multiboot System?

If you have a dual boot system with Windows Vista and another Windows version like Windows XP, 2000, etc and now you want to completely remove Windows Vista from your system, then this tutorial will help you.

1. Boot into other Windows version. Suppose you have Windows XP installed along with Windows Vista, then boot into Windows XP.

2. Insert your Windows Vista Setup DVD in your DVD drive. Click on "Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories". Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run As Administrator". If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing "cmd" in Startmenu Search box and press "Ctrl+Shift+Enter".

3. Now provide following command:

CODE

    [DVD_drive_letter]:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt52 ALL /force

and then press Enter. Suppose your DVD drive letter is F:, then provide following command:

CODE

F:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt52 ALL /force

4. Eject the Setup DVD and restart the system. Now your system will start in Windows XP automatically.

5. Now you can safely delete Windows Vista folders to reclaim the disk space:

CODE

    Program Files
    Users
    Windows

You can format the whole partition too if its not the boot partition. e.g. if your Windows Vista was installed on a partition other than C:, then you can safely format that partition but if it was installed on C: drive, then don't format it. Just manually delete the above mentioned folders.

[SolidState]

Solution: .EXE Files Always Open with Notepad or Other Applications


Many times ppl face problems while opening .EXE files.

* The EXE file opens in Notepad.
* EXE file opens in some other installed programs.
* Windows displays "Open With" dialog box to choose the program.
* Windows shows error message, "Windows cannot find .exe file. Make sure you typed the name correctly".

Most of the times it happens when you accidentally change .Exe file type settings from Folder Options. Sometimes it might happen due to virus.

Anyway no need to worry. Here is a solution which will fix this annoying problem:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing command in RUN dialog box.

2. Now provide following command:

CODE

cd\windows

3. It'll activate Windows folder. Now provide following command to open Registry Editor:

CODE

    regedit

4. Now goto following key:

CODE

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

In right-side pane, change value of Default key to exefile

5. Now goto:

CODE

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

In right-side pane, change value of Default key to:

CODE

    "%1" %*

6. Thats it. Now exit Registry Editor and restart your Windows. Now you should be able to open EXE files without any problem.

[SolidState]

How to Fix Corrupt Drive Icons in My Computer?


Many times we face a strange problem in Windows. When we open My Computer, one or more drives show some other icons instead of the default drive icons.

It happens when we accidentally change the drive icons using some tweaking software. Sometimes its done by virus.

Don't worry. There is a very simple and small method to fix this problem and you can restore the default drive icons.

1. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer

2. Under this key, you'll see a key "DriveIcons". Delete it and log off or restart your Windows.

3. It'll solve the problem and you'll get back default drive icons in My Computer.

[SolidState]

Solution: File & Folder Names are not Visible in Windows Explorer


Many Windows users face a problem in Windows Explorer, when they can't see file or folder names under a specific folder. Only file and folder icons are visible but their names are hidden.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3972/fi...eshiddenqw3.jpg

Here is a small step-by-step tutorial to fix this problem:

For Windows XP:

Open the problematic folder, Press and hold SHIFT key, right-click in empty area and select "View -> Thumbnails". It'll toggle the file/folder names.

Actually its a feature to show/hide file names while in Thumbnails mode.

For Windows Vista and 7:

Open the problematic folder, right-click in empty area and de-select "View -> Hide File names". If the option is not available, then press and hold SHIFT key, right-click in empty area and select "View -> Medium Icons".

[SolidState]

How to Restore Missing Send To Menuitem in File and Folder Context Menus?


If you can’t find “Send To” menu item in file/folder context menu like shown in following screenshot:



Then just download following Zip file, extract it and then run the extracted .REG file:
Download Link: restore_missing_send_to_menu.zip

It’ll restore the missing “Send To” menu item and it’ll be back as shown in following screenshot:

[SolidState]

How to Reset / Remove / Bypass a BIOS or CMOS Password?


=========================

DISCLAIMER: This information is intended for experienced users. It is not intended for basic users, hackers, or computer thieves. Please do not try any of following procedures if you are not familiar with computer hardware. I'll not be responsible for the use or misuse of this information, including personal injury, loss of data or hardware damage. So use it at your own risk.

=========================

BIOS passwords are used to add some extra security to computers. You can either set a password to prevent access to BIOS settings or to prevent PC from booting.

But sometimes this extra security might become a pain when you forget the BIOS password or someone changes your system BIOS password intentionally.

But there is no need to worry. There are many known ways to reset / remove / bypass the password:

* By removing the CMOS battery
* By using the motherboard jumper
* By using MS DOS command
* By using software
* By using Backdoor BIOS password

Now I'll try to explain each method one by one:

A. By Removing the CMOS Battery:



Almost all motherboards use a small coin sized CMOS battery to store all BIOS settings along with the password. To reset the password, unplug the PC, open the cabinet and remove the CMOS battery for approx. 15-30 minutes and then put it back. It'll reset all BIOS settings as well as the password and you'll need to re-enter all settings.

If it fails, then try to remove the battery for at least one hour.

B. By Using the Motherboard Jumper:

In most motherboards CMOS battery is soldered, which makes it difficult to remove the battery. In this case we use another method.

Almost all motherboards contain a jumper that can clear all CMOS settings along with the BIOS password. The location of this jumper varies depending upon the motherboard brand. You should read your motherboard manual to check its location. If you don't have the manual then look for the jumpers near the CMOS battery. Most of the manufacturer label the jumper as CLR, CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, etc.

When you find the jumper, look carefully. There will be 3 pins and the jumper will be joining the center pin to either left or right pin. What you need to do, is remove the jumper and join the center pin to the opposite pin. e.g. if the jumper joins center pin to left pin, then remove it and join center pin to right pin. Now wait for a few seconds and then again remove the jumper and join the center pin to left pin.

Make sure to turn the PC off before opening the cabinet and resetting the jumper.

C. By Using MS DOS Command:

This method works only if you have access to the system when its turned on because this method requires MS DOS. Open MS DOS from programs menu and provide following commands one bye one:

CODE

debug
    o 70 2E
    o 71 FF
    quit

NOTE: The first character in the above commands is "O" and not the number 0.

After providing the above commands, restart your system and it should reset the CMOS Settings along with the BIOS password.

If you are curious to know how it works? then let me explain the above commands:

In this method we are using the Debug tool of MS DOS. The "O" character present at first in these commands, outputs the values to IO ports. The number 70 and 71 are port numbers which are used to access CMOS memory. By providing FF value we are telling CMOS that there is an invalid checksum and it resets the CMOS settings as well as BIOS password.

D. By Using Software:

There are a few software which can also reset CMOS settings or BIOS password or both within a few clicks. But as stated above you should have access to a system which is turned on and should have access to MS DOS or MS Windows:
KillCMOS

!BIOS

CmosPwd

E. By Using Backdoor BIOS Password:

Some BIOS manufacturer put a backdoor password in BIOS which always works irrespective of what password you have set in BIOS. Its a master password which is used for testing and troubleshooting purposes.

CODE

AMI BIOS Passwords:

    A.M.I.
    AAAMMMIII
    AMI?SW
    AMI_SW
    AMI
    BIOS
    CONDO
    HEWITT RAND
    LKWPETER
    MI
    Oder
    PASSWORD

CODE

AWARD BIOS Passwords:

    01322222
    589589
    589721
    595595
    598598
    ALFAROME
    ALLy
    aLLy
    aLLY
    ALLY
    aPAf
    _award
    award
    AWARD_SW
    AWARD?SW
    AWARD SW
    AWARD PW
    AWKWARD
    awkward
    BIOSTAR
    CONCAT
    CONDO
    Condo
    d8on
    djonet
    HLT
    J64
    J256
    J262
    j332
    j322
    KDD
    Lkwpeter
    LKWPETER
    PINT
    pint
    SER
    SKY_FOX
    SYXZ
    syxz
    shift + syxz
    TTPTHA
    ZAAADA
    ZBAAACA
    ZJAAADC

CODE

PHOENIX BIOS Passwords:

    BIOS
    CMOS
    phoenix
    PHOENIX

CODE

Misc Common Passwords:

    ALFAROME
    BIOSTAR
    biostar
    biosstar
    CMOS
    cmos
    LKWPETER
    lkwpeter
    setup
    SETUP
    Syxz
    Wodj

CODE

Other Manufacturer BIOS Passwords:

    Biostar - Biostar
    Compaq - Compaq
    Dell - Dell
    Enox - xo11nE
    Epox - central
    Freetech - Posterie
    IWill - iwill
    Jetway - spooml
    Packard Bell - bell9
    QDI - QDI
    Siemens - SKY_FOX
    TMC - BIGO
    Toshiba - Toshiba
    VOBIS &  IBM - merlin

NOTE: All these passwords are case-sensitive and are changed from time to time by manufacturers.

[SolidState]

How to Change or Reset Product Key of Microsoft Office XP, 2003 and 2007?


Many times you might want to change the product key of Office suite installed in your system. It might be because your product key expired and you got a new one or it might be because you installed Office using pirated key and now you want to change the product key with a genuine one.

To change the product key you'll have to uninstall the Office suite from your system and then reinstall it.

But here is a small and simple tutorial which will help you in changing the product key without uninstalling the Office.

Change Office XP Product Key:

1. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Registration

2. Under "Registration" key, you'll see one or more GUID (Globally Unique IDentifiers) containing a combination of alphanumeric characters in following format:

CODE

{xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}

3. Select each key and look at "ProductName" key in right-side pane. One GUID key will contain the version number of Office installed in your system "Microsoft Office XP Professional Edition".

4. Select that GUID key and delete following 2 registry entries from right-side pane:

CODE

    DigitalProductID
    ProductID

5. Close registry editor and run any Office application e.g. word, excel, etc. It should prompt you to enter a new product key.

6. Enter the desired product key and click on OK. That's it.

Change Office 2003 Product Key:

1. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Registration

2. Under "Registration" key, you'll see one or more GUID (Globally Unique IDentifiers) containing a combination of alphanumeric characters in following format:

CODE

{xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}

3. Select each key and look at "ProductName" key in right-side pane. One GUID key will contain the version number of Office installed in your system e.g. "Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003".

4. Select that GUID key and delete following 2 registry entries from right-side pane:

CODE

    DigitalProductID
    ProductID

5. Close registry editor and run any Office application e.g. word, excel, etc. It should prompt you to enter a new product key.

6. Enter the desired product key and click on OK. That's it.

Change Office 2007 Product Key:

1. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Registration

2. Under "Registration" key, you'll see one or more GUID (Globally Unique IDentifiers) containing a combination of alphanumeric characters in following format:

CODE

{xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}

3. Select each key and look at "ProductName" key in right-side pane. One GUID key will contain the version number of Office installed in your system "Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2007".

4. Select that GUID key and delete following 2 registry entries from right-side pane:

CODE

    DigitalProductID
    ProductID

5. Close registry editor and run any Office application e.g. word, excel, etc. It should prompt you to enter a new product key.

6. Enter the desired product key and click on OK. That's it.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

A. Take a backup of "Registration" key before deleting the registry entries from right-side pane, so that in case the new product key doesnt work you can restore the previous key without any problem. To take backup right-click on "Registration" key and select "Export".

B. If you are a x64 bit Windows user, then the key location will be different in registry. Please check following paths:

Office XP:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\10.0

Office 2003:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\11.0

Office 2007:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\12.0

[SolidState]

Options to Change Hidden Files and Folders Settings are not Available in Folder Options


As we all know we can change the settings to show / hide hidden files and folders from "Folder Options" which can be found under Tools menu in Windows XP or in Organize menu under Windows Vista and 7.



But sometimes you might find that the options to change the settings of hidden files and folders are not available in Folder Options. There may be following 4 cases:

A. The whole Hidden Files and Folders tree is not visible.



B. Only the heading Hidden files and folders is visible but it doesn't contain any option to choose from.

C. Only Do not show hidden files and folders option is available.



D. Only Show hidden files and folders option is available.


If you are also facing such problem, then download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the extracted .REG file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it and your problem will be solved:

enable-options-to-change-hidden-files-and-folders-settings.zip

[SolidState]

How to Fix / Troubleshoot Various Taskbar Problems in Windows?


Here you can find solutions for a few frequently asked problems which are related to Windows Taskbar like:

* Taskbar context menu is disabled. No menu appears when you right-click on taskbar.
* "Lock the Taskbar" option is disabled.
* Can't add toolbars using "Toolbars" option in Taskbar context menu.
* Can't open Taskbar Properties. An error message appears.
* Can't resize or move Taskbar.

So here we start:

=======================================

1. Taskbar context menu is disabled. No menu appears when you right-click on taskbar.

Sol. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "NoTrayContextMenu" DWORD value.

=======================================

2. "Lock the Taskbar" option is disabled. Whenever you right-click on Taskbar, "Lock the Taskbar" option is grayed out:



Sol. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "LockTaskbar" DWORD value.

=======================================

3. Can't add toolbars using "Toolbars" menu in Taskbar context menu. All options are grayed out:



Sol. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "NoCloseDragDropBands" DWORD value.

=======================================

4. Can't open Taskbar Properties. Whenever you click on "Properties" in taskbar context menu, an error message appears:


Sol. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "NoSetTaskbar" DWORD value.

=======================================

5. Can't resize or move Taskbar even "Lock the Taskbar" option is unchecked.

Sol. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

In right-side pane, delete "TaskbarSizeMove" DWORD value.

[SolidState]

How to Remove Linux Boot Loader From Startup After Deleting Linux Partition on a Dual-Boot System?


If you have a dual-boot system with Linux and Windows, then you probably know that when you start your system first Linux boot loader appears showing Linux as well as Windows boot entries and if you select Windows from the list, it starts Windows.

Suppose a situation when you want to remove Linux from your system and want to use only Windows, then how will you do it?

Many times people delete the partitions having Linux installed from "Disk Manager" but it doesnt remove Linux completely. The Linux boot loader still appears at startup but since you deleted Linux partitions, the boot loader gets corrupted and your system becomes unusable.

So if you are also facing this problem or you faced this problem in past and could not get a working solution, then read this tutorial and you can follow it if you find yourself in a similar situation.

This tutorial will help you in completely removing Linux from a dual-boot system:

1. First you'll need to boot using Windows setup CD. You can use Windows 98 Setup CD or Windows 2000, XP, 2003 CD or Windows Vista, Server 2008 DVD.

A. Using Windows 98 CD:

Boot into Command Prompt and provide following command:

CODE

fdisk /MBR

Now exit from command prompt by typing Exit and press Enter.

B. Using Windows 2000, XP, 2003 CD:

Enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R", select your Windows installation and enter administrator password. Now provide following command:

CODE

fixmbr

Press "Y" to confirm and type Exit to exit from recovery console.

C. Using Windows Vista, Server 2008 DVD:

Boot using setup DVD and click on "Repair Computer" link, then click on "Command Prompt". Now navigate to your DVD drive using CD command and at last provide following command:

CODE

bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr

Exit from Command prompt and restart your system.

Thanks to Ramesh Kumar (Fellow MVP) to provide this trick.

2. The above commands will remove the Linux boot loader from startup and you'll be able to directly boot into Windows.

3. If you have not deleted Linux partitions, then you can delete them using "Disk Manager" tool in Windows.

[SolidState]

How to Fix Annoying Folder View Type Problem in Windows Vista?


One of the most annoying problem in Windows Vista is automatically change of a folder view type. You set a desired view of a folder and suddenly Windows changes its view type to "Pictures and Videos" when you copy a picture to this folder.

Its a very common problem in Vista which almost all Vista users are facing. Actually it happens because of "Automatic Folder Type Discovery" feature which was introduced in Vista but instead of making something good, this feature has made the case worst.

But now no need to worry, there is a registry trick to fix this annoying problem. This trick will reset the folder view settings and will completely disable the automatic folder type discovery feature, so you'll not face this problem any more. Windows will always use your custom view settings for all folders.

So follow these simple steps to fix this problem:

1. Type regedit in RUN or start menu search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.

2. Now navigate to following key:

CODE

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

3. Under "Shell" key, select "Bags" key and press "Delete" key. It'll ask for confirmation, click on Yes button.

4. Now right-click on "Shell" key and select "New -> Key" option. Give the new key name of Bags

5. Now right-click on "Bags" key and select "New -> Key" option. Give the new key name of AllFolders

6. Again right-click on "AllFolders" key and select "New -> Key" option. Give the new key name of Shell

7. Now click on this new "Shell" key and in right-side pane, create a new String value and give it name of

8. That's it. Either restart your system or log off and now Windows will no longer reset/change your custom folder view type settings.

NOTE: If you want a ready-made registry script to do the task automatically, then download following Zip file, extract it and run the extracted REG file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it:

Fix-Folder-View-Type-Problem-in-Windows-Vista

[SolidState]

Windows XP SP3 Setup Error: Cannot Update a Checked (Debug) System with a Free (Retail) Version of Service Pack 3


As we all know Microsoft has released the final version of Windows XP SP3 to public and its available via Automatic Updates, Windows Updates and Downloads Center.


I have received a few mails mentioning a strange problem which occurs while installing SP3 in Windows XP. A few ppl told me that whenever they try to install SP3 in Windows XP, Windows shows following error message:

CODE

Service pack 3 setup cannot update a checked (debug) system with a free (retail) version of service pack 3, or vice versa.

The reason behind this problem is that the update package installs retail bits on retail builds and checked bits on checked builds. But you can spoof Windows updates in order to install retail bits on checked builds and vice versa.

If you are also facing the same problem, then follow these simple steps and your problem should be solved:

1. Open regedit and goto:

CODE

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

2. In right-side pane look for a String value "CurrentType". Change its value to Checked and if its already set to Checked, then set it to Free and click on OK.

3. Exit registry editor and try to install SP3 again. Now it should install without any problem.

[SolidState]

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Setup Error: Access is denied.


As we all know Microsoft has released the final version of Windows XP SP3 to public and its available via Automatic Updates, Windows Updates and Downloads Center.


A few ppl are facing a problem while installing SP3. Whenever they try to install it, Windows shows following error message:

CODE

Service Pack 3 setup error. Access is denied.

OR

CODE

Service Pack 3 setup error. Service Pack installation did not complete.

If you are also facing the same problem, then follow these simple steps and your problem should be solved:

1. Download and install the Subinacl.exe file from here.

2. Open Notepad and paste following code:

CODE

    cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"
    subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
    subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
    subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
    subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
    subinacl /subdirectories %windir%\*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
    secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose

3. Save the file with name "SP3.bat".

4. Now right-click on the file and select "Run as administrator". It might take some time to complete.

5. After completion, restart your system and now you should be able to install SP3.

[SolidState]

The Best and The Easiest Way to Slipstream Service Pack 3 (SP3) into Windows XP Setup


We all know Microsoft has released the third and last service pack for Windows XP. So here I'm posting a simple and detailed guide for slipstreaming this SP3 into your Windows XP Setup, so that whenever you do a fresh Windows installation, you'll not need to wait for hours to download and install Windows updates or to manually install SP3.

If you are wondering why should I slipstream SP3 into my Windows setup, then following are a few points which will satisfy you:

1. By slipstreaming SP3 into Windows setup, you'll get an up-to-date Windows setup which will install an already updated Windows. So you'll not need to update it over Internet to download 100+ updates.

2. You'll not need to install SP3 manually after installing Windows as it'll already contain it. So it'll save your time.

3. You'll not need to enter Serial key at the installation time because SP3 includes this new feature which allows you to install Windows without entering serial key. You can enter it after the installation completes.

So here we start our slipstreaming tutorial:

Prerequisites:

* Windows XP Setup CD or Setup copied in your system
* Service Pack 3
* nLite
* A CD burning software e.g. Nero, a blank CD and CD/DVD Writer

Getting Started:

1. Create a new folder in your system e.g. "Windows XP Setup" and copy Windows setup from CD in this new folder.

2. Now open nLite and it'll show the welcome screen where you can select the language that will be used throughout the setup wizard.



3. Click on "Next" button.

4. Now it'll ask for the folder location where Windows XP setup is stored. Click on "Browse" button and locate the recently created folder. You can also type the folder location in the given textbox.


5. Once you tell the folder location, the wizard will automatically detect the Windows version, language, size and other details. Now click on "Next" button.

6. Now it'll show "Presets" page. We are not covering it in this tutorial as its not required. So just click on "Next" button again.

7. Now the wizard will show you a number of tasks which can be performed on the Windows setup like Service pack integration, drivers integration, removing unwanted components from setup, a few Windows tweaks and creating bootable ISO.

Since this tutorial is for slipstreaming SP3 into Windows Setup, we'll recommend you to select following 2 tasks:

* Service Pack
* Bootable ISO


8. Now click on "Next" button. The wizard will ask you to tell the SP3 file location.



Click on "Select" button and locate the SP3 EXE file. Once you tell the file location, setup will automatically start slipstreaming it into Windows Setup.





Once it completes the integration, it'll show you a pop-up message:



9. Click on "OK" button and then click on "Next" button.

10. Now the wizard will show "Bootable ISO" page. Where you can change the CD label:



11. Now click on "Make ISO" button and the wizard will start creating bootable ISO image:


12. When it'll complete the ISO image creation, it'll show a message at bottom:



13. Now click on "Next" button and it'll show the final completion message:



14. That's all. Click on "Finish" button.

15. Now you can burn the bootable ISO using Nero or any other CD burning software.

That's the end of this guide. Now you can enjoy your new Windows XP installation.

NOTE: You can also choose other tasks mentioned in Step 7, like Tweaks, Options which will allow you to enter Product key, owner name, organization name, timezone, etc to make the whole setup unattended.