Nick's Blog

A new app from FileHippo aims to check all your installed apps for their latest versions and install/update them.

First impressions are very good, the app quickly scans your Program Files directory and retrieves the latest build info from their relevant home pages.

The app also comes as a standalone .exe so no installation necessary, and that makes it nicely portable.

Check it out Here

The Win key now performs quite a few useful shortcuts and if you combine these with Launchy you’ll be in shortcut heaven

Here are a small handful of them:-

• Win+h - Move current window to full screen

• Win+i – Restore current full screen window to normal size or minimize current window if not full screen

• Win+Shift+arrow - Move current window to alternate screen

• Win+D - Minimize all windows and show the desktop

• Win+E – Launch Explorer with Computer as the focus

• Win+F – Launch a search window

• Win+G - Cycle through gadgets

• Win+L – Lock the desktop

• Win+M – Minimize the current window

• Win+R – Open the Run window

• Win+T – Cycle through task bar opening Aero Peek for each running item

• Win+U – Open the Ease of Use center

• Win+Space – Aero Peek the desktop

• Ctrl+Win+Tab – Open persistent task selection window, roll mouse over each icon to preview item and minimize others

Imagine a situation where you need to install Windows Vista or 7 in a system but you don’t have access to DVD drive. We all know Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7 comes in DVDs and you’ll need a DVD drive to install them. How will you install them? The solution is, you can create a bootable USB drive which can be used to install Windows without using DVD drive.

Prerequisites:

• A USB Drive (4 GB or more)
• Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7 ISO image or DVD
• Host OS: Windows Vista (SP1 or SP2), Server 2008 or 7

How to Use:

Once you meet the requirements, run the utility. Its a portable utility so doesn’t need installation. Simply run it and check the option “I have read and accepted the following License Agreement“. Now click on OK button and it’ll launch the main application.

It also shows a Help window so that you can use the utility easily. The utility requires only 4 easy steps to follow:

• Check USB drive (To check whether your USB drive is attached or not)
• Format USB drive
• Choose DVD or ISO image (To copy the required files to USB drive)
• Start the process to create bootable USB drive

Download Link:

Download Link

PS: It also works in 64-bit Windows versions.

Thanks to Vishal for this guide

If you would like to clean up your desktop and say remove the recycle bin and place it in my computer you’ll need these excellent reg tweaks from Vishal.

All you need to do is download the reg keys from here and then double click on the ones you would like to apply. There is even a uninstall key in case you want rid of all the changes you’ve made.

Scripts included are:-

• Add Administrative Tools to My Computer

• Add Control Panel to My Computer

• Add Flip 3D to My Computer

• Add Internet Explorer to My Computer

• Add Network Connections to My Computer

• Add Printers to My Computer

• Add Recycle Bin to My Computer

• Add Run to My Computer

• Add Search to My Computer