Vista Basics, Tweaks and Tips

[IronAces]

Here are a few basics, tweaks and tips for vista users, these come from other sources and my own experience so far with vista, feel free to add your own to the thread. :kiss:

Please remember that these may vary slightly from edition to edition, the following where done on Business edition.

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Speeding up program search

This registry tweak stops vista searching for all indexed files on your system while you search for programs in your program menu, please remember to make a backup of your registry before you take any action to alter registry keys, just incase the worst case senario happens.

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).

2. Navigate through HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Windows, CurrentVersion, Explorer and finally Advanced.

3. Find and right click on Start_SearchFiles and select Modify.

4. Set the Value to 0.

5. reboot your computer.

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Disable the sidebar

Although his feature is somewhat handy (which is debatable in my opinion), considering it includes realtime weather reports, up to date news from various sources and other tools such as computer monitoring, and an over sized clock. It takes up valuable memory, clutters up your desktop, considering the limited information it gives you, if you want the weather in your area, look out your nearest window :confused: , here is how to disable it:

1. Open Control Panel

2. Navigate to and open Appearance and Personalization

3. At this point open Windows Sidebar Properties, here a pop up window appears, uncheck the box which says "Start sidebar when Windows Starts"

4. If you currently have Sidebar running, right click on the Sidebar icon, situated in the taskbar and select exit

5. Reboot and you're set.

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Setting your colour theme

1. Right click anywhere on desktop

2. Select Personalize

3. Select Window colour and appearance

4. Select the colour you wish to have, and using the slider choose how transparent you want windows to be. If you do not wish your windows to be transparent, uncheck the tick box for window transparency.

5. You can also use the the colour mixer to finely choose the specific colour you would like. All done!

__________________________________________________ _________

I'll add more soon, it would be helpful if an admin stickied this thread so that others can easily find it, and contribute to it, thanks!

[renegade600]

is this for the beta or gold?

[IronAces]

This is for the final (Retail) Edition (I'm using Business Edition)

[khanibal]

Hey ironaces -- thanks for this info.

Question: Can you specifically set a different theme? Like in windows xp, you have the windows classic theme, is that still around?

[IronAces]

Hmm, not as yet, you can only change the things mentioned above, im sure in future there will be different themes

[Murf]

If you are dual booting Vista and say XP, and want XP to be the default O/S (Since xp is installed first then VISTA, VISTA makes itself the default system) and you will end up with (in my case)

Older Operating System
Windows Vista

You can change this, I changed mine to Windows XP Professional SP2 by doing the following

XP used the boot.ini file to manage booting, VISTA does not it uses a Boot Manager.

START | ALL PROGRAMS | ACCESSORIES | Command Prompt (supposedly the only way to get there), although I just put command prompt on the start menu. Also Start| Run does not get it.

At the command prompt, in my case was d:\user\murf

I type the following:

bcdedit (<enter>)

Looked at where my XP pro was as it said "Older Operating Systems". it was under {ntdlr} so I typed the following:

bcdedit /set {ntdlr} description "Windows XP Professional SP2"

That was it.

You can also change the time it displays and which one displays first.


bcdedit has taken the place of boot.ini in XP.

if you type bcdedit /? you get the help menu showing what cammands can be used, brought me back to the old DOS days.

[khanibal]

Great information Murf!

I was bugged out when I went for the dual boot and saw boot.ini mysteriously vanished!

Now, all I need to do is to find a way to remove IE7/WMP11/windows firewall/windows blocker/windows whatever-else-there-is.

0.o

[Murf]

I use Norton Corporate edition Anti-Virus. It is not compatible with VISTA so I installed AVG for VISTA.

Update from AVG site:

GRISOFT is announcing a new version of the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. This new 7.5 version with improved performance and full compatibility with the latest Windows Vista version is available. Users that are using AVG Free 7.1 will be provided with a specific dialog, within the next few weeks, with the opportunity to choose the right option fulfilling their needs. AVG Free 7.1 version will be discontinued on 18th of Feb 2007.

Works great.

------------------------------------------------------------
Also I use Adobe acrobat professional 6.0, which was not compatible with VISTA. I installed it anyways and it works.

I found that my cmedia XP driver (CMI8738) works with VISTA.

Had to install the latest ATI Catalyst (version 1.2.2314.20337)for my graphics and dual monitor's. Requires NetFrameworks 1.1.4322.2232. Had problems with dual monitor support untill I installed this version.

I am running VISTA Business Edition (final release).

Went ahead and made this thread a "STICKY"

[30111987]

Thanks for the tips guys!

I'm installing Vista Business (MSDN) just now on my laptop to sit alongside XP Home and will use your boot order tips to set XP as the default

[30111987]

If you are dual booting Vista and say XP, and want XP to be the default O/S (Since xp is installed first then VISTA, VISTA makes itself the default system) and you will end up with (in my case)

Older Operating System
Windows Vista

You can change this, I changed mine to Windows XP Professional SP2 by doing the following

XP used the boot.ini file to manage booting, VISTA does not it uses a Boot Manager.

START | ALL PROGRAMS | ACCESSORIES | Command Prompt (supposedly the only way to get there), although I just put command prompt on the start menu. Also Start| Run does not get it.

At the command prompt, in my case was d:\user\murf

I type the following:

bcdedit (<enter>)

Looked at where my XP pro was as it said "Older Operating Systems". it was under {ntdlr} so I typed the following:

bcdedit /set {ntdlr} description "Windows XP Professional SP2"

That was it.

You can also change the time it displays and which one displays first.


bcdedit has taken the place of boot.ini in XP.

if you type bcdedit /? you get the help menu showing what cammands can be used, brought me back to the old DOS days.


I'm getting "Access is denied"

My account is the administrator type

[Murf]

Did you activate? Access denied when you try to type? Or access denied trying to open bcdedit?

[30111987]

eh haven't activated (yet) - I want to see if its going to run well enough on my laptop before I commit to using my license on my laptop

it spits out that message after I hit enter

[Murf]

You will need to configure your user account. Initial install, even the administrator has limited authority until it is envoked.

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/0d75f774-8514-4c9e-ac08-4c21f5c6c2d91033.mspx?mfr=true

About 1/2 way down the page, shows you how to open secpol.msc , to make the changes.

[30111987]

"The boot configuration data store could not be opened
"Access is denied."

Still happening :(


Fixed!

Right click the command prompt and selected Run As Administrator ;)


also find a GUI way to change the boot order (similar in XP) - right click my computer > properties
then "Advanced System Settings" under Tasks
Then Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery then simply select from the drop down list :)

[Murf]

"also find a GUI way to change the boot order (similar in XP) - right click my computer > properties then "Advanced System Settings" under Tasks
Then Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery then simply select from the drop down list "

Good tip but you can't change the wording that shows on the screen and I am picky picky.....so bcdedit does that.

[Spider]

Flip 3D
Open a few windows and instead of "Alt + Tab" use "Windows key + Tab".

[Spider]

Uptime Gadget for Sidebar (http://gallery.live.com/liveitemdetail.aspx?li=9edd60d7-5810-44b4-a72e-b3416de5758b&l=1)

Maybe we can have some uptime screen shot posting later on.

[IronAces]

Here are a collection of screenshots, enjoy.

http://ironaces.netherstorm.co.uk/desktop.jpg
http://ironaces.netherstorm.co.uk/vista.jpg
http://ironaces.netherstorm.co.uk/sidebar.jpg

note: the live messenger sidebar, very handy!

[Redapple]

Pretty cool screenshots, I might get more versions.

[Spider]

Here are a few snaps.

H20 (http://space.hostrocket.com/vista/images/h20.jpg)
Snow (http://space.hostrocket.com/vista/images/snow.jpg)
Swirl (http://space.hostrocket.com/vista/images/swirl.jpg)
Barber (http://space.hostrocket.com/vista/images/barber.jpg)

[Murf]

Great free program for editing the Vista Boot manager (BCDEDIT):

VistaBootPro (http://www.vistabootpro.org/)

[XPS]

Anyone needing Vista drivers you might want to go here. http://www.radarsync.com/vista/

[Murf]

Still configuring, pix shows both monitors.

[squirekat]

You can find a lot of accurate information about Vista on Ed Bott's Blog at the ZDNet website. Ed is the guy who wrote the official Microsoft "Windows XP Inside Out" book, a three inch thick reference that I've been using for years. He's switched his focus to Vista now.

10 expert tips and tweaks for Windows Vista RC2 (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?page_id=164)

Mark :thumbsup:

[Spider]

Control Panel
System Maintenance
Performance Information and Tools
Advanced Tools (link to the left)
Generate a system health report

Very nice intricate log, system detail, and security analysis.

[30111987]

One for more advanced users
Disable Interactive Logon (get classic style logon back)

Open up the run thingy and type mmc
file> add snapins - add the group object one (you can add more if you like)
Under Windows and security set Interactive logon: Do not display last user name to enable
you can also set the ctrl+alt+delete requirement by setting Interactive logon: Do not require CTRL+ALT+DEL to disable

logoff and your new logon screen will await you!

[des343]

What about windows dreamscene?...anyone know where to download good backgrounds for this like the raindrops one?...


there is a place that does this but you must download some software in order to use a certain type of video and its frankly quite annoying.

[XPS]

http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/11/download-windows-vista-wallpapers.html

[des343]

thanks...i also found a page with a couple of nice links

http://www.tweakvista.com/article39097.aspx

[Pi rules]

Vista's Start Menu doesn't have the run command, although the Search box is pretty much the same thing and more. Here's how to show it:

1. Right-click the Start menu and click Properties
2. Click the Customize button
3. Find and check the "Run command" checkbox
4. Click OK
5. Click OK

Tutorial w/ screenshots here (http://pirules.com/vista_run_command.aspx)

[Pi rules]

1. Click the Start button
2. Open the Control Panel
3. Click "Appearance and Personalization"
4. Click "Folder Options"
5. Click the View tab
6. Under "Hidden files and folders" select the "Show hidden files and folders" radio button.
7. Click OK

Tutorial w/ screenshots here (http://pirules.com/vista_hidden_files.aspx).

[Pi rules]

Here's one feature of Vista (and XP) that annoys me - highlighting new programs.

1. Right-click the Start Menu and click "Properties"2. Click the "Customize..." button
3. Scroll down until you see "Highlight newly installed programs" (almost half down the list)
4. Uncheck it
5. Click OK
6. Click OK

Tutorial w/ screenshots here (http://pirules.com/vista_highlight.aspx)

[Pi rules]

The System Administrative Tools have some useful shortcuts in them. To put a menu with the shortcuts on the Start Menu, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start Menu and click "Properties"
2. Click "Customize..."
3. Scroll down to "System Administrative Tools" (bottom) and which choice you would like: showing it on the Start Menu & All Programs, showing it in only the All Programs Menu, or not showing it at all.

4. Click OK
5. Click OK


Tutorial w/ screenshots here (http://pirules.com/vista_admintools.aspx).

[Pi rules]

I'd probably say VistaBoot Pro is better, but this is just a quick way to change a few settings.

By default, Vista loads itself after 30 seconds if you have more than one Operating System (OS) instaled. This tutorial can help you either change the default Operating System ("Microsoft Windows") for Vista, and "Earlier Version of Windows" for XP or another previous version of Windows you have; change the maximum time the list is displayed before the default is loaded; or stop the default from being loaded after a certain period of time. Make sure you are in Windows Vista while doing this.

1. Right-click My Computer and click Properties
2. Click Advanced System Settings
3. Type your password if necessary and click Continue.
4. Under Startup and Recovery, click the Settings button
5. To change the default OS, choose it from the drop-down list. "Microsoft Windows" is Vista, and "Earlier version of Windows" is XP or whatever other pre-Vista Microsoft OS you have on your computer.
6. To stop the default OS from loading after the time, uncheck the checkbox. Or, to change the time the list is displayed before the default OS is loaded, type a new number (in seconds) you would like it to be displayed.

Tutorial w/ screenshots here (http://pirules.com/vista_boot_options.aspx).

[Pi rules]

The Power button by default puts your computer in Standby, or Sleep Mode. I personally would rather shut it down, and for my notebook, just close the lid to put it in sleep mode. Here's how to change it:

1. Go to Start and click Control Panel
2. Under the Mobile PC section click "Change Battery Settings"
3. On the left side of the screen, click "Choose what the power button does"
4. Choose what you would like the power button and closing the lid to do.
5. Click Save changes to apply the new changes

[Pi rules]

By default, the power button in the Start Menu causes your computer to enter Sleep (Standby) mode. I prefer it to shut down, so here's how to change it:
1. Open the Start menu and click Control Panel
2. Under Hardware and Sound, click Power Options
3. Click "Change plan settings" under your current power plan.
4. Click "Change advanced settings"
5. Expand "Power buttons and lid"
6. Expand "Start menu power button" and choose the action you desire for battery power and while your PC is plugged in
7. Click OK, then click Save Changes

[Pi rules]

What is UAC?
The goal of UAC is to protect your computer from unauthorized access to your files and settings. However, it does annoy some users.

Should I turn it off?
I would recommend leaving it on unless you are really bothered by it. The extra prompts may be irksome, but they are there to protect your computer. You can turn it on at any time by checking the box in step 6.

How can I disable it?
1. Open the Start Menu and click Control Panel
2. Click “User Accounts and Family Safety”
3. Select “User Accounts”
4. Click “Turn User Account Control on or off”
5. Click Continue (for the last time)
6. Uncheck “Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer.” and click OK.

You may also just open the Start Menu and type User Account Control then go to step 5.

Tutorial with screenshots (soon) here (http://pirules.com/vista_uac.aspx).

[peterm69]

post deleted, duplicated

[AnnMarie]

See here (http://bhandler.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!70F64BC910C9F7F3!1844.entry).

NB >>> Please download and use at your own risk. The programs on the Vista Page have been written by Microsoft employees however it is unlikely that Microsoft will offer any support for this software.

[the_can]

Here's a little trick I learned for Vista owner's. You can control the size of your desktop icons...

To do so:
1 close or minimize all windows
2 left click desktop
3 hold down the ctrl key
4 scroll up or down on your mouse (The scroll function on my touchpad worked fine for this)

I took some screenshots to show, but apparently I'm too much of a noob to post links, so you'll just have to see it for yourself. :)

[muddywaters111]

Most have probably already figured this out but this is for all those Vista Business users who have been craving some classic Minesweeper or Solitaire. The games are actually there but they have to be enabled.

1. Click Start, Then go to control pannel
2. Click on Programs and Features
3. On the left click Turn Windows Features On or Off
4. Press continue
5. Highlight the box marked "Games" and click OK

and thats it now you can have all the old classic windows games plus a few more.

[cougar62]

also remember if you use ultimate to keep those language packs uninstalled unless youre actually going to use them.

[cougar62]

Anyway to speed up shutdown times? it takes a minute or so to boot, over twice the time my xp machine takes to boot. and well, id like to speed this up a bit. any reg tweaks capable of this?

[AnnMarie]

Black Viper's (http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/servicecfg.htm) service configuration for optimizing performance. Experiment at your own risk as always folks. :)

[squirekat]

Found a website with pretty good Vista info...

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/

[reghakr]

If you use the Google Toolbar with IE7, you can remove the stock search box.

Open Notepad and copy and paste the following between the lines and save the file as Nosearchbox.reg. Double-click on this file to make the change to the registry. Then hit F5 on an empty part of the desktop and open Internet Explorer.
=================================
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Inte rnet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions]
"NoSearchBox"=dword:00000001
=================================

Bring the File menu to the top as it was in IE6.....again open Notepad and copy and paste the following between the lines and save the file as ITBar7Position.reg. Double-click on this file to make the change to the registry. Then hit F5 on an empty part of the desktop and open Internet Explorer.

==================================
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser]
"ITBar7Position"=dword:00000001
==================================

You can remove the Command Bar by creating a new key. Go to Start > Run (Classic Menu) ,or the Win key + R, type regedit and hit enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer. Right-click on the Internet Explorer key amd choose New > Key. Name it CommandBar. Right-click on the CommandBar key, choose New > DWORD value and name it Enabled. To hide the Command Bar, give it a value of 0. To enable it, give it a value of 1.

To make this change for all users of the computer, you will need to use the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key

reghakr