Window 7 SP2?

I am totally sick of running WSUS on new installs of Windows 7.
Yes I had SP1 slipstreamed into the install but we are way beyond that.
How-To-Geek has a fantastic tutorial for integrating the rollups to make things more current.
You can follow his instructions verbatim to make a more current Win7-Install.iso.

One hickup at the end:
I was on a Windows 10 machine so "Deployment Tools Command Prompt" was not listed in the Start Menu (at least I couldn't find it). I used EverythingSearch to find it. It was on the machine but the AIK programs were not listed on the Start Menu.

Another way of doing this is here. It involves using NTLite, which I have never been that fond of, but I'm sure it works fine.

If you are reinstalling Windows, back up the drivers with Double Driver. Symenu has it but easy to get it elsewhere.

Tool For Downloading Windows ISO From Microsoft.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Reset Windows 7 Password

http://www.howtogeek.com/96805/how-to-reset-your-windows-password-without-an-install-cd/

I used the password reset in Hiren 15 the other day. Worked fine.
http://www.hirensbootcd.org/resetting-windows-password/

Reset Windows 7 Password

Boot from Win7 install DVD
Choose repair > Then command prompt
(assuming "c" is the windows drive ...
copy c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\
copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Once the Windows 7 logon screen appears, locate the little icon on the bottom-left of the screen that looks like a pie with a square around it and then click it!

net user myusername mynewpassword

copy c:\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

(Actually you could use the syntax from the next example instead.)
This would be a way to do it ...

If you can not find an install DVD ...
Push the power button until Windows closes. Upon reboot you should be presented with this screen.

Choose repair but when presented with the next screen choose "cancel".

This next process will work for some time but you need to allow it to get to your goal.

When the above process completes, choose "view problem details".

When the "details" screen comes up, scroll down and choose the last option.

This brings up the "privacy statement" ... go for the "FILE > OPEN" option.

And Bob's your uncle, you have the explorer window.

Navigate to the Windows/system32 directory

Look for the "sethc" file and rename to "sethcold" for example

Now look for the cmd.exe file and copy/paste as "sethc" file. The sethc is a system file that, when the shift key is hit five times in succession, turns sticky keys on. You are changing it into accessing a command prompt which is a much more useful feature. I would not bother reverting after this process.

Reboot after copy/paste of cmd.exe. On the home screen hit shift five times.

This will bring up a command prompt. Type net user command.

The user accounts will be listed. Choose one you know is an admin account and type for example

net user home *. (I think there is a space between home and *) (or maybe the * is unnecessary)

Then type your new password twice.

You should now be able to use this password for that account.

I know this looks involved but by the time you download hacking software and have it not work, only to try another .... this is probably a time saver.

Hat Tip to this YouTube video for explaining this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0q3kUoM-jw

Block Remove Windows 10 Upgrade Notice on Windows 7

Use this
http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/gwx_control_panel,1.html

Or Steve Gibson's version of Never 10
https://www.grc.com/never10.htm

Crack Windows Logon Password

Go to this link:
http://www.howtogeek.com/96630/how-to-reset-your-forgotten-windows-password-the-easy-way/

booting to repair and using command prompt
copy c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe c:\
copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe
Once you get to the login screen, hit the Shift key 5 times
net user "user name" 'MyNewPassword" (without quotes)

or

kon-boot
cmd admin
netuser to find name
netuser *
hit enter twice

if not work

linux
system32
utilman.exe rename to old
copy cmd.exe to linux desktop
rename to utilman.exe
copy to system32
boot to windows
do the same as in kon-boot
change password or delete by hiting enter twice

back to linux and restore utilman.exe.old to original

video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYi-ZfZCVJg

Does Your Internal Hard Drive Show As Removable In The Tray?

FIX: AHCI/SATA drives showing in "Safely Remove Hardware"

Regedit your way to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\ SYSTEM\\ CurrentControlSet\\ services\\ msahci and create a new KEY called "Controller0" inside Controller0, create a new KEY called "Channel0" Now inside Channel0, create a new DWORD called "TreatAsInternalPort" set this value to "1" (this sets SATA port 0 (Drive C)to no longer show up in "Safely Remove Hardware")

Now, go back into the Controller0 folder again. inside Controller0, create a new KEY called "Channel1" Now inside Channel1, create a new DWORD called "TreatAsInternalPort" set this value to "1" (this sets SATA port 1 (Drive D)to no longer show up in "Safely Remove Hardware")

And so on, until all internal SATA ports are set to be treated as Internal. My motherboard has 6 SATA ports, so I have set Channel0 to Channel5.

Credit
This has bothered me on some setups. This fix works.

Speed Up Windows 7

Speed Up Windows 7

Change desktop background to black. (solid color)
Keep desktop clean of files and shortcuts.
Clear the index from the hard drives. (right click drive/properties/un-check index/ignore all)
Turn off Windows search service. (I use "Everything" for occassional searches)
Adjust power plan to High Performance
Disable hibernate (a known problem source)
If SSD turn off pre/superfetch. (only for SSD and not for speed)
Control Panel\System and Security\System\System Protection Turn off restore. (after you have your system stable) (has this ever really worked)
Sounds use no sounds.
MSConfig uncheck unnecessary startups.
Install Launchy and learn how to use it.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\desktop
 In the right pane, right click on MenuShowDelay and click on Modify and use 1
Be aggressive on uninstalling programs you don't use.
If you wish to manipulate Aero I would do it this way and not Ultimate Tweak
 Control Panel\System and Security\System\System Properties\Advanced\Performance
  If you "break" transparency it can be hunt and seek to fix. Turning it off and on here is easier.

Use discretion on what and how you install programs but don't be paranoid either. Before you install Microsoft Office, ask yourself if you really need it. Libre Office Portable will work just as well for most mortals and you won't have a bunch of unnecessary junk installed on your system. If you must install MS Office, do you really need Outlook, Access or One Note? At least customize and omit these and others.

In Windows XP days I always did these (the one's available in XP) but I quit doing some of them in Win7 because processors ran faster and who doesn't love transparent Windows. Well, I'm over that now and all I want is fast, quick, blazing Windows. So I'm back tweaking for speed and loving it. On a monster desktop, I may let Aero run, depending on how things are popping. There are other tweaks but these are basic and will improve things greatly.

Ultimate Windows Tweaker (a quick way of doing some of the tweaks and more)

Microsoft Defender "this program is turned off" message

When Microsoft Security Essentials is installed, it turns off Defender because Essentials replaces Defender. Sometimes the Defender startup entry either does not get turned off or becomes re-enabled somewhere down the line. Simply run msconfig, go to the startup tab and uncheck the Defender entry. Sometimes you still get a warning that Defender is not running. This can be sticky.

If entry not in startup but you still get the warning these have worked for me:

Method 1:
1. Launch regedit (Win+R, type "regedit", hit return)
2. Locate the Key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
3. Delete Value "Windows Defender"

Method 2:
Here is the thread where I found this answer.
Rename the program exe

using an elevated command prompt:
takeown /f "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender" /r /d y
icacls "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender" /grant Administrators:F /t
Yes, use the quotes or path will not be recognized.

Or use your user name instead of Administrators or  try Administrator without the s.
Now rename the file
Before (Original name):
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
After:
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\aMSASCui.exe

As usual, Microsoft recommends reinstalling or restoring Windows.
The lame brains who think this is not an issue have not installed enough systems. I don't know why it happens but if you need to change the names of users or machine after initial setup may be one instance. Why is a mystery. It is one of those "Oh Crap" moments.

Forget services or gpedit, they have never worked for me on this issue.
No, uninstalling Essentials and reinstalling did not fix it.
No, turning of Defender from within Defender did not fix it.

Windows 7 with SP1 Download

Windows 7 Ultimate x86 SP1 (bootable) [download]
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1 (bootable) [download]

Roll The Mouse Over A Window and Scroll Works

I'm trying WizMouse. Will report back. I don't really want another thing starting with Windows but it would be nice to have the mouse scroll wheel work when the pointer is over a window without activating the window. So far so good and something that Windows should natively do.

Here is what it uses for resources:

Credit: HowToGeeks

Move the Users Directory in Windows 7

Move the Users Directory in Windows 7:

LifeHacker has a good explanation of using junctions

This seems to be an easier way to move profiles with junctions.

This is the same as Lifehacker but clearer (and the one I used)

This is the essentials:

2 cautions:
1. X:\ is probably the virtual repair drive so don't try to perform action with X as an option.
2. Two word lables need to be in quotations "Program Files", or you will get a syntax error.

Enter Recovery (be careful about drive designations)
For most users, this can be accessed by pressing F8 at boot, and choosing “Repair your computer,” but is also present on a Windows install DVD.

robocopy "E:\Users" "D:\Users" /COPYALL /MIR /XJ
robocopy "E:\Program Files" "D:\Program Files" /COPYALL /MIR /XJ
robocopy "E:\Program Files (x86)" "D:\Program Files" /COPYALL /MIR /XJ

rmdir "E:\Users" /S /Q
rmdir "E:\Program Files" /S /Q
rmdir "E:\Program Files (x86)" /S /Q

mklink "E:\Users" "D:\Users" /J
mklink "E:\Program Files" "D:\Program Files" /J
mklink "E:\Program Files (x86)" "D:\Program Files (x86)" /J

Now, reboot. If all goes well, you should see something similar to the image below. Both Program Files and Users directories still exist, but now possess a small shortcut icon.

I did this and it works. I am still confused about seeing the folders on C:  Yes the Users (etc) folder has a junction shortcut symbol but the folders under Useres do not. I presume they are symbolic.

How To Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 Into Installation DVD ISO

How To Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 Into Installation DVD ISO: "Slipstreaming SP1 into the installation DVD or ISO can be done with the help of Windows 7 installation configuring tools. In this guide, we are using RT Seven Lite tool to integrate SP1 into Windows 7 installation DVD."

Comments: Win7 SP1 is available (sort of), it is RC (release candidate). I suppose not much will change but I am waiting for the finished product and then just a wee bit longer. This gives time for the crash and burn stuff to be revealed. But then I will want to slipstream SP1.

The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded

The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded. - Vista Forums: "How to Fix the Error 'The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded.'"

Comments: Well this is new. My profile would not load. I used option #1 successfully. I did not use Safe Mode, just regedit. Sure beats reinstalling Windows or deleting the profile and starting over.

XP/Win7 Network Can't See Each Other

One problem might be Windows 7 is set to "handle" networking instead of "Use user accounts".

Find these settings in Network and Sharing > Advanced Sharing:

Some day I'm going to find out what "Home Group" is and what it does, way down on my list of things to do.

How to Resize All Window Columns with a Single Keystroke - How-To Geek

How to Resize All Window Columns with a Single Keystroke - How-To Geek: "When you’re dealing with an application that displays data in a set of columns, it’s often frustrating to have to resize each column separately—but today we’ve got a great trick for you that resizes all the columns with a single keystroke.

The secret keystroke to use is Ctrl and the Numpad’s "plus" key, and it only works if you have a separate number pad on your PC—but we’ve also found a workaround for that as well. Keep reading."

Comments: handy dandy I never knew

Restore Windows 7 Security Settings To Default With Security Restore

Restore Windows 7 Security Settings To Default With Security Restore: "Quite often we come across Windows security errors such as Registry Disabled or You don’t have permission to access. Troubleshooting these Windows errors can be challenging because there are so many possible causes (in most of the cases it’s because of a virus or malicious item)."

Comments: Could be useful if totally lost, can't say I would have needed it yet.

EasyBCD Beta - Highly Recommended

EasyBCD 2.0 Beta Builds - The NeoSmart Forums

This is a locked topic with the latest beta builds for EasyBCD 2.0.
This thread will be updated whenever a new build is available for public testing. You may subscribe to this topic for notification of the availability of new builds.

Comments: Grab this free and excellent program for all you BCD needs. If you do not know what BCD is then you don't need it - yet. To get the Beta you need to register in the forum. The Beta adds a few new features. The non Beta can be had without registration. You can extract the installer and run stand alone.

The forum practically begged me to make my first post so it looks like a friendly place :)

Disable Autoplay When USB Inserted

Plug in a USB drive in Windows 7 and Windows Media Player starts automatically. I find this irritating. I finally killed it buy doing the following. All steps may not be needed but I hate auto play of any kind so fine.

Type Win Key then type "group" select edit group policy.
Expand Administrative Templates and select "All Settings".
Find the two "turn off autoplay" entries and enable them.


Type Win Key then type "autoplay" and start it.
Remove the check in upper left corner.


I don't care which of these I did not need to do. I'm just glad to be rid of it.

Edit: Media Player has started popping up again. Go to Services and stop/disable Shell Hardware Detection. Hope this finally does it.

No Windows Steady State In Win7 ... but Guest Works

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows 7 Feature Focus: Guest Mode
Configuring Guest Mode

From a user experience perspective, Guest Mode is almost completely hidden in Windows 7. You can't access it from Start Menu Search (Go ahead, try. I dare you!), nor can you search for it from within Control Panel. It's like it's not there at all.

But it is. To find Guest Mode, open Control Panel, User Accounts and Family Safety, and then User Accounts. (Shortcut: Open the Start Menu and click your logon picture in the top right.) Then, click on Manage another account. From the list shown there, select the account for which you'd like to add Guest Mode. Or, if you don't have an account for this purpose, create one first.

Comments: If you have a motel lobby (library, mean kids, etc.) and used Steady State on XP then you will have to set up a Guest Account in lieu of Steady State in Windows 7, because Microsoft ain't given you no stinkin' Steady State for Win7. Mr. Thurrott explains how to do it.

Download the instructions from Microsoft.

Lifehacker describes using Guest mode.

Securing a guest account