Our list of hot features to add to your Vista installation includes video wallpaper, making Flip 3-D work more like the Mac's, tuning Firefox's user interface, managing security, and where to get a hold of nifty Sidebar Gadgets. Settled in with Windows Vista yet? By now, having had several months to put the new operating system through its paces, you've gone beyond the novice user's infatuation with the glitzy new Aero interface. And you're probably inured to the annoying User Account Controls. Now, it's time to kick it up a notch and add some slightly more sophisticated options to your Vista palette.
Accordingly, here are some tips to tune your Vista installation. We've got hints on using video wallpaper, making Vista's Flip 3-D function work more like the Mac's, tuning Firefox's user interface so that it more closely resembles Internet Explorer, and where to get a hold of nifty Sidebar Gadgets. Plus, how to turn off the UACs (and why you should think twice about that). 1 of 6. Stupid Windows 7 trick: unlock the secret God Mode folder. So, what exactly is God Mode in Windows 7? Well, for starters, it's not really a mode. And it's nothing you need to be a deity to pull off, either. Rather, it's a folder packed with shortcuts to just about every settings change and administrative function in Windows 7. Everything you'll find in the Action Center, Backup and Restore, Autorun, Desktop Gadgets, Devices and Printers -- it's all there.
No, this trick doesn't involve entering IDDQD in the run box - but it's just about that simple. Create a new folder anywhere (I set mine up in d:\) Rename the folder and paste in the following text: GodMode. [via JKOnTheRun] Tags: god mode, GodMode, how to, HowTo, howtos, stupid, stupid windows trick, StupidWindowsTrick, tricks, w00t, windows 7, Windows7. Switcher for Windows Vista. Language Development Center Projects – Portugal. Windows – Client desktop For client desktop applications, the APIs are SpeechFX (the namespace System.Speech in .NET Framework 3.0) and/or SAPI 5.1 (or 5.3 in Vista). The APIs are language-independent, i.e., they are simply the programming interface to develop applications with speech functionalities.
Below the APIs are the Language Packs (LPs) of each language, which usually consist in a speech recognizer and/or a text-to-speech synthesizer. These LPs are language specific, e.g: American English, European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, etc. Here’s an excellent introductory article: . Download “Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Redistributable Package” (includes Managed SpeechFX System.Speech): Managed SpeechFX System.Speech API Documentation: In TechDays 2008 , we presented “Are You Talking to Me?
Understanding WMI -- Managing Windows networks using scripts, part 3. Learn how Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) works and how it can be scripted using VBScript in this tip, originally published on WindowsNetworking.com . In the first two articles of this series we saw how to change the IP address of a network adapter on a Windows computer using VBScript. Along the way we learned many of the basic concepts of Windows scripting such as classes, objects, properties, methods, and different types of variables including string variables, integer variables, arrays and collections.
We also learned some of the basics of writing a good script such as defining variables, implementing error handling, accepting user input, displaying confirmation output, and documenting your script by adding comments. Our final script worked as expected , but there may be some aspects of it you still find mysterious. What on earth does that mean? In other words, WMI stands for: Windows - works on and for computers running Microsoft Windows WScript.Echo objNamespace.Name Cli Policy. HOW TO: slipstream Vista SP1 into your Vista install DVD.
If you’re someone who has to install Windows frequently on PCs from time to time there’s nothing more annoying than having to install the release version of Windows then run Windows Update repeatedly and wait for all the patches to download. In past versions of Windows though it has been relatively easy to build an updated version of the installer CD with all the latest patches included. Unfortunately that’s not the case with Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 which both handle patches and updates differently compared with previous versions of Windows. The new Windows kernel features a “servicing layer” which allows for more streamlined handling of patches and updates with minimal disruption to the user and reducing the need for multiple reboots. However SP1 updates this servicing layer as well as the OS itself which makes a slipstream integration procedure like that which we can use for Windows XP SP2 and SP3 not possible.
Sounds like fun? Prepare your system DVD – C:TempVistaDVD. Create a Shortcut Icon or Hotkey to Turn Windows Vista Firewall On or Off :: the How-To Geek. When you are troubleshooting network problems, one of the first things to do is disable the built-in Windows Firewall… but there are just way too many steps required to the firewall on and off. Can’t we make a simple shortcut icon instead? Naturally we can, using the built-in netsh utility that is usually used on the command line to perform advanced networking functions. We’ll simply create a shortcut to it with the appropriate parameters.
Note: Always remember to turn the Firewall back on after you are done troubleshooting, especially if you use public wireless networks. Create Shortcut Icons for Enable/Disable Right-click on the desktop or elsewhere, and choose New \ Shortcut from the menu. Then in the shortcut location box, you’ll add one of two commands listed below. Disable Firewall netsh firewall set opmode disable Enable Firewall netsh firewall set opmode enable Once you’ve added the correct command, go to the next screen and give the shortcut a helpful name like “Disable Firewall” Windows Vista configuration tool. vLite - Windows Vista configuration tool.