FluentNotepad: Simple Notepad for Windows with Office 2010 Ribbon UI

If you love the new ribbon UI available in Microsoft Office and other MS products, you'll definitely love this small but excellent Notepad for Windows. "SalvoG92" @ DA has developed a cool Notepad "FluentNotepad" for Windows which comes with Office 2010 look-like ribbon UI. It supports all basic Notepad functions and also allows you to minimize ribbons...

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Taskbar Drop Shadow: Add Cool Drop Shadow Effect to Windows Taskbar

If you use Windows and love to customize its look or add extra eye candy features, here is an interesting utility for you. "Taskbar Drop Shadow" is a small portable tool developed by "sweatyfish" @ DA which adds a drop shadow effect to Windows Taskbar: Its very simple to use. Download the ZIP file and extract it. You'll get 2 EXE files: Top TB Shadow.exe Bottom...

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The Best FREE Alternatives to Notepad

If you use Windows and use the default "Notepad" a lot for various tasks like writing notes, coding, etc, this topic might be useful for you. Today in this topic, we are going to cover a few FREE applications which look and work similar to Notepad but provide lots of useful features which are missing in Notepad. So without wasting any time, lets take a look at the free alternatives to Notepad: Notepad++ Notepad2 Metapad PSPad Programmer's Notepad NoteTab Light TED Notepad SciTE Text Editor BDV Notepad Charny Notepad AkelPad Above are the best...

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Download Theme to Transform Windows 7 into Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Also check: Transform Windows 7 into Mac OS X Lion Using “Lion Skin Pack” If you are a Windows 7 user but love Mac OS X Leopard look, here is something interesting for you. Our friend "giannisgx89" @ DA has created an excellent theme for Windows 7 which makes your Windows look like Mac OS X Snow Leopard as you can see in following screenshot: Its...

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[Fix] “Item Not Found” Error Message While Moving Files and Folders in Windows 7 Explorer After Installing Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Problem Symptom: If you installed SP1 (Service Pack 1) in Windows 7 and try to move a file or folder in Windows Explorer, you get "Item Not Found" error message: Reason:This problem might occur if you disabled "Libraries" feature in Windows 7 using Registry trick as mentioned here. Please note that we are also using the same trick to disable Libraries...

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The Best FREE Alternatives to Microsoft Paint and Adobe Photoshop

Recently we shared some free alternatives to Notepad: The Best FREE Alternatives to Notepad Today in this topic, we are going to share best FREE alternatives to Windows Paint. Paint is a good tool included in Windows for editing images but it lacks lots of image editing features. You can also these freeware as alternative to Adobe Photoshop. Paint.NETPaint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects,...

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Microsoft Releases Out-of-Band Security Update to Address Windows Shortcut Exploit aka CPLINK

indows Shortcut Exploit, also known as CPLINK, is a zero-day vulnerability in all versions of Windows that allows a Windows shortcut link, known as an .lnk file, to run a malicious DLL file. The dangerous shortcut links can also be embedded on a website or hidden within documents. The exploit works when you open a device, network share or WebDav point carrying an infection—you don't need to click on anything for the exploit to work, even if you have AutoPlay and AutoRun disabled. There was no patch from Microsoft to fix this exploit but now...

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Microsoft Releases Windows Intune Beta, Manage and Secure PCs using Cloud Services

Windows Intune simplifies how businesses manage and secure PCs using Windows cloud services and Windows 7—so your computers and users can operate at peak performance, from virtually anywhere. Windows Intune is a comprehensive solution that includes PC management, malware protection, Windows upgrades, and more. Use the Windows Intune cloud service beta to: Manage updates Protect PCs from malware Proactively monitor PCs Provide remote assistance Track hardware & software inventory Set security policies The Windows Intune client software is...

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Windows 7 Logon Reworked: Get Longhorn Styled Aurora Welcome Screen in Windows 7

We all know about Longhorn (codename for Windows Vista testing builds). Longhorn provided awesome UI elements in Vista testing builds but due to performance issues, Microsoft decided to ditch Longhorn code and we didn't get what we expected in Vista. If you also love Longhorn look and can't forget the awesome Aurora Welcome Screen which was featured...

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Logon Editor: Advanced Login Screen Editor for Windows 7

Today we are going to share an advanced login screen editor which not only allows you to change the background but also allows you to change text and button set transparency and shadow effects. "Logon Editor" is an advanced login screen editor for Windows 7 users which allows you to: Change Login screen background image Change Login screen text...

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Microsoft Releases Hotfix to Fix Hibernation Issue in Windows 7

Microsoft has released a hotfix to fix a weird hibernation issue found in Windows 7. Problem Symptom:Consider the following scenario: You have a computer that is running Windows 7. You configure the power button to be used for hibernation on the computer. You change the setting of the Password protection on wake up setting to the Require a password (recommended) option. The computer is put into hibernation. You press the power button to resume the computer from hibernation. You are prompted to enter your user account credentials. The computer is...

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How to Rename “Favorites”, “Libraries”, “Homegroup”, “Computer” and “Network” Items in Windows 7 Explorer’s Navigation Pane?

We have posted a few tutorials in past about removing "Favorites", "Libraries", "Homegroup", "Computer" and "Network" Items from Windows 7 Explorer’s Navigation Pane: How to Remove "Favorites" from Windows 7 Explorer's Navigation Pane? How to Remove "Libraries" from Windows 7 Explorer's Navigation Pane? How to Remove "Homegroup" from Windows 7...

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Microsoft Releases Hotfix to Fix Randomly Stop Responding Problem in Windows 7

Problem Symptom: A computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 stops responding randomly. Applications or services that are running on the computer stop working correctly. Additionally, you cannot log on to the computer by using the remote desktop connection utility. Cause:This issue occurs because of a deadlock condition between the Lsass.exe process, the Redirected Drive Buffering Subsystem (Rdbss.sys) driver, and the Winsock kernel. Solution:A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. Apply this hotfix only to systems...

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Microsoft Releases Hotfix to Fix Windows 7 Backup Utility Issue

Problem Symptom: Consider the following scenario: You use the Windows Backup utility to perform a backup on a computer that is running Windows 7. The backed up files are saved on a hard disk drive. You use the Windows Backup utility again to perform a backup for a group of files that are larger than the first group of backed up files. In this scenario, the backup process requires significantly more time than the backup process for the first group of backed up files. For example, the backup process requires 2 hours for 100 gigabytes (GB)...

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FileTypesMan: Free Alternative to Windows Default File Type Option

FileTypesMan is an alternative to the "File Types" tab in "Folder Options" of Windows. It displays the list of all file extensions and types registered on your computer. FileTypesMan also allows you to easily edit the properties and flags of each file type, as well as it allows you to add, edit, and remove actions in a file type. FileTypesMan...

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Default Programs Editor: Yet Another Free Alternative to Windows Default File Type Option

Recently we posted about "FileTypesMan" which is an alternative to the "File Types" tab in "Folder Options" of Windows. Today we are going to share another free tool which is a powerful file association utility for Windows. "Default Programs Editor" is a context menu editor, an autoplay editor, and default programs association editor; essentially,...

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Download Free Language Interface Packs (LIPs) for Windows XP, Vista and 7

Language Interface Packs (LIPs) provide a translated version of the most widely used dialog boxes, menu items, and help content in Windows. LIPs can be installed over any edition of Windows XP, Vista and 7. To install one, you will need to have the required parent language installed on your PC. Please note that additional languages will work only with a genuine copy of Windows. You can download Language Interface Packs from the Microsoft Download Center by using the links given below: Download LIPs for Windows XP Download LIPs for Windows Vista...

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Microsoft Releases Update for Windows 7 to Improve Graphics Platform Performance and to Support Features in Upcoming IE9 PP Build

Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 users which provides new functionality and performance improvements for the graphics platform. This update will also be required to support features in an upcoming release of Internet Explorer 9 platform preview build. This update is a separate package of changes that must be installed in addition to Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. Install this update if you have installed the Windows Internet Explorer 9 Tech Preview 3 build, and are experiencing crashes and hangs while...

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Add Shutdown, Restart, Sleep, Switch User, Lock and Log Off Options to Windows 7 Taskbar Using JumpControl

We all know Windows 7 allows you to pin any item to Taskbar to access it quickly and easily. Using this cool feature, "ProtoSphere" @ DA has created an awesome utility called "JumpControl". "JumpControl" is a portable application so you don't need to install it. Simply pin it to your Windows 7 Taskbar and you'll get all desired Shutdown, restart...

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How to Get Classic XP Style Network Activity Indicator Back in Windows 7?

There are many Windows 7 users who miss the good old Windows XP style Network activity indicator in System Tray. Windows XP indicator used to show network activity with a blinking icon, on the other hand Windows 7 indicator doesn't blink. If you miss the classic indicator in Windows 7 and want to get it back, here is an awesome piece of software...

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[Fix] Windows 7 Shows Blurry Thumbnails for Aero Themes in Desktop Personalization Window

Sometimes when you open Desktop Personalization window in Windows 7, you might get presented with blurry thumbnails for all Aero themes as shown in following screenshot: It seems a bug in Windows 7 and occurs randomly. It happens due to corrupt thumbnails cache in system. To fix this problem, you just need to follow these simple steps: 1. Open "Disk...

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RecycleBinEx: Freeware to Extend and Enhance the Functionality of Recycle Bin in Windows

RecycleBinEx is a powerful and easy to use recycle bin manager for Windows. It extends and enhances the Windows recycle bin, and let you use many extra features in it. With RecycleBinEx, you can sort the items in recycle bin; group them according to the deleted time, the logical disk, etc. You can select and remove the deleted items which were...

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Microsoft Releases Update to Fix Thumbnail Controls Display in Windows 7 Taskbar

icrosoft has released a new update to fix an issue in which thumbnail controls are not displayed for some applications in Taskbar under Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2. This update is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. SP1 Beta users should also install this update. You can download and install the update using following links: Download Update for Windows 7 Download Update for Windows 7 64-bit Download Update for Windows 7 SP1 Beta Download Update for Windows 7 SP1 Beta 64-bit Download Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit Download...

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How to Import / Export (Backup / Restore) Tasks Using Task Scheduler in Windows?

Task Scheduler is a very useful components in Windows. It can be used to create a reminder for an important meeting or to schedule any particular task which you perform regularly. I always use Task Scheduler to schedule my important tasks. At the moment I have 24 scheduled tasks in Task Scheduler. Creating a task is very easy in Task Scheduler....

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How to Import (Restore) All Tasks in Bulk Using Task Scheduler in Windows?

Recently we posted a tutorial about importing and exporting tasks using Task Scheduler in Windows: How to Import / Export (Backup / Restore) Tasks Using Task Scheduler in Windows? But there is one limitation in importing and exporting tasks using Task Scheduler. You can import/export only a single task at a time. Task Scheduler doesn't allow import/export of tasks in bulk. So if you have lots of scheduled tasks say 20 in Task Scheduler, you'll need to perform the same step again and again for all 20 tasks. Wouldn't it be great if you can import...

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How to Move / Show Details Pane At Top in Windows Vista and 7 Explorer?

NOTE: This tutorial has been featured by Microsoft. AskVG.com was the first website posting this unique trick. If you can remember the good old Longhorn days when Windows Vista was under Beta testing, the Details Pane in Windows Explorer used to show at top just below the Command Bar. But in Windows Vista RTM (Final version), the Details Pane was...

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Microsoft Releases Update to Fix Unexpected Shutdown or Blue Screens While Using USB Video Device in Windows 7

Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 users. You should install this update to prevent unexpected shutdowns or bluescreens when you are using a USB video device. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. Symptom: On a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you may receive one of the following Stop error messages: Stop 0x0000007E (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter 4) SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED Stop 0x00000050 (parameter1, 0 or 1, parameter 3, 0) PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREAThis...

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7Conifier: Change Default Taskbar and Start Menu Icons in Windows 7

7Conifier is a portable tool created by "wronex" @ DA to change all default Taskbar and Start Menu icons in Windows 7 in a single click. All you need to do is start the app, select the desired pre-loaded package and hit the "Apply" button. 7Conifier comes bundled with three packages (Eclipse 2, Token Light and Token Dark). You can also add more packages...

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Download Yet Another Windows XP “Zune” Theme for Windows 7

In past we have shared lots of Windows XP themes which have been successfully ported to Windows 7 for people who still love good old XP look: Download Windows XP “Luna Silver” Theme for Windows 7 Download Windows XP “Zune” Theme for Windows 7 Download Windows XP “Royale Blue” Theme for Windows 7 Today we are sharing another Zune theme port for Windows...

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Microsoft Releases Hotfix to Fix Poor Printing Performance in Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2

Problem Symptom: On a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, the printing performance may be poor compared to the performance on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. Additionally, a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 consumes more CPU resources when you print a document. For example, CPU usage remains at 100 percent for a long time in Task Manager when you print a document on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. Cause:This issue occurs...

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