Showing posts with label windows 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label windows 8. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Windows 8 Shortcuts to Bypass the Elongated Routes
Windows 8, according to some perspectives, is considered to be challenging in use. Many functions have been relocated and many new features are not visible and recognized. A new user logged into Windows 8 is similar to child caught in a maze. To avoid such confusions, this article is concentrated on the Shortcut keys, through which one can easily bypass the standard route to access a function or application. Described following are some of the brought out shortcuts for a convenient handling.
FUNCTION 1: START SCREEN
There is no visible button or icon on the front desktop screen, which could take the user to the tiled Start screen. The user has to scroll the mouse to the corner for viewing the Charm bar.
SHORTCUT: Windows key
FUNCTION 2: MINIMIZE
Windows has an impeccable interface for multi-tasking. A user can open, view, and operate many applications at a time. Minimizing these applications one after another is often felt irritating.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + M
FUNCTION 3: RUNNING PROGRAMS
A user might be engaged with many applications at a time. Counting at the taskbar to know the status may be a bit difficult.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + Tab
FUNCTION 4: SCREENSHOT
Screenshot is an important and demanded feature with great enhancements in Windows 8. A user will hardly find any directed route to execute this feature.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + PrtSc (Print Screen)
FUNCTION 5: GLOBAL SEARCH
Windows 8 has introduced the feature of integrated search, through which, a user can explore the desired stuff at many spaces via a single search bar.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + Q
FUNCTION 6: SYSTEM PROPERTIES
System Properties page allows a user to view the basic information and rundown of his/her Windows Edition, PC specs, and Workgroup settings.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + Pause
FUNCTION 7: RUN COMMAND
Run command is a useful feature of Windows operating system, helping user to quick launch items, apps, and other routines.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + R
FUNCTION 8: QUICK ACCESS MENU
Quick Access menu exposes a user to system functionality such as Task Manager, Control Panel, Device Manager, Disc Management etc.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + X
FUNCTION 9: SETTINGS MENU
On the Charm bar, the last icon at the bottom leads to the Settings menu. Here a user can view and modify overall settings of a PC.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + I
FUNCTION 10: SHARE MENU
On the Charm bar, the second icon from the top leads to the Share menu. This menu contains some preset networks, where a user can easily share the select items.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + H
FUNCTION 11: DEVICES MENU
On the Charm bar, the fourth icon from the top leads to the Devices menu. This menu shows the affiliated and connected devices to the PC.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + K
FUNCTION 12: LANGUAGE
For non-natives, Windows always encompasses the feature of Languages and Keyboard Layout. You can now easily switch between certain layouts.
SHORTCUT: Windows key + spacebar
Learning these shortcuts will surely help you to reach out to apps quickly.
Windows 8 Restrict Charms Hint and Switcher Hot Corners
Charm bar is a valuable tool, presented by Windows 8 and preserved by Windows 8.1. It provides us with an easy access to certain aspects of our operating system. A Charm bar acquaints the user with Search, Share, Start screen, Devices, and Settings options. This is a tool appreciated by almost every user of Windows operating system. However, the appearance of this feature may not be a comfortable one.
To view the Charm bar, we usually point our cursor to the upper right corner of the screen. A user may point his/her cursor at this position, accidentally and constantly. It has been experienced that the ratio of intentionally pointing cursor at this point is far less than that of unintentional pointing. Consequently, a frequent appearance of Charm bar, when not required by the user, is considered annoying. An element with high utility, with a bad reputation, is not at all welcomed.
This is the reason this article has been generated. It entails the methods and procedures to avoid this behavior of Charm bar without even deactivating it. There are three different techniques to disable Charms Hint and Hot Corners, respectively. All three of them are listed, explained, and tutored below.
Disable Charms Hint
The sub heading noted above should not be confused with disabling the Charms bar. It just blocks the way Charm bar pops up, every time when the cursor is pointed at the top right corner of the screen. All you need to do is create a new registry key, with a new registry entry within it, instructing Charm bar to avoid popping up frequently. To get this thing done, execute the following steps in sequence.
- Go to the Windows Registry Editor
- Navigate of the following key, through HKEY_CURRENT_USER
- Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell
- Right click ImmersiveShell to create a New Key, naming it as EdgeUI
- Right Click EdgeUI to create a New DWORD Value. Rename this value as DisableCharmsHint
- Double click DisableCharmsHint to Modify, and put 1 as Value data
- Click Ok to save your changes, and Exit Registry Editor
Disable Top Right Corner
In the previous step, it was shown the way to prevent Charms bar to pop up, while pointing the cursor to the top right corner of the screen. It was also mentioned that there is a way to view the same bar by pointing the cursors to the corners, at different directions. However, some users may not want this even feature to exist. For such users, it is suggested to disable the top right corner to completely stopover the Charms bar with such occurrences. To do so, follow the steps outlined below.
- Expose to the Registry Editor, and navigate to the following key, through HKEY_CURRENT_USER
- Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\EdgeUI
- Right click EdgeUI to create a New DWORD Value. Rename this value as DisableTRcorner
- Double click this registry entry to Modify, and put 1 as the Value data
- Click OK to save changes, and Exit the Registry Editor
Disable Top Left (or Bottom Left) Corner
Windows 8 users must have experienced a toggle between Desktop and Start, by pointing the cursor at the top-left or bottom-left corner of the screen. When you are on the Start screen, pointing the cursor at one of the said corners would show you a small image of your Desktop screen. Click on the same location will shift you from Start screen to Desktop screen, and Vice Versa. If you consider this feature irritating, rather than useful, you can block it through the below practice.
- Unfold Registry Editor, and navigate to the following key, through HKEY_CURRENT_USER
- Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\EdgeUI
- Right click EdgeUI to create a New DWORD Value. Rename this value as DisableTLcorner
- Double click this registry entry to Modify, and put 1 as the Value data
- Click OK to save changes, and Exit the Registry Editor
Although, you block all the ways to view Charms bar by point cursor to the screen corners, there is still an easy and convenient way to pop it up. This is the shortcut key to Charms bar. Being whether on your Desktop screen or Start screen, press Windows key + C to pop up the Charms bar. To know more Windows 8 shortcuts,read this post.
Disable Nagle-Algorithm to Increase your Internet Speed for Quick Response
Imagine an airline service, transporting each passenger in an individual plane, so that the commuters do not face any delays after arriving at the airport. Does the capacity and resources of any airline company allow that? The true answer is a ‘NO’. Plane would wait for its time to collect certain travelers, and fill in its volume before taking off.
Similar is the case with your computer systems. While sending packets of information on a network, your system realizes the capacity of each packet (plane), and the frequency of data protocol (passengers) to be conveyed. To reduce the overall network load, data is accumulated until the volume of each packet is occupied. This accumulation of data causes lag, in result of which, the user may have to wait for a while. This entire process is administered by a Windows component, called Nagle-Algorithm.
Nagle-Algorithm is enabled by default in Windows 7 and its successive versions. Above and beyond its convenience, Nagle-Algorithm may lead to a dissatisfied user. There are activities that may require a much quicker response, for example, online games. To address such a situation, this article entraps a tip to disable Nagle-Algorithm. It is to get a free flow of data protocol through the network, so as to elevate the speed of internet operations. Before moving further, you first need to identify the appropriate NIC Interface.
NIC Interface
A computer may have multiple internet connections. For each connection, Windows Registry creates a separate NIC Interface or NIC-ID. This ID is displayed in the form of cryptic combination of letters and numbers, enclosed in braces. To recognize the appropriate NIC-ID, need to acquire the IP address of your current or active internet connection.
- Type ‘CMD’ in the search box and hit Enter to open Command Prompt
- On the black screen, type ‘IPCONFIG’ and press Enter to view info on your active connection
- Locate and note down your IP address, displayed next to IPv4 Address, under Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection
- Exit Command Prompt
Disabling Nagle-Algorithm
Nagle-Algorithm can be disabled with a simple registry modification. Please be advised to remember the IP address, noted in the above steps. For a subsequent practice, see the following steps.
- Type ‘REGEDIT’ in the search box and hit Enter to open Windows Registry Editor
- In the left pane, expand through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to reach the following key
- SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces
This key may contain several NICs, depending upon the number of internet connections you have used. To disable Nagle-Algorithm of the correct internet profile, you need to access the correct NIC-ID. For this purpose, click each interface key and find and match the IP address with the one noted in the previous section, in the right pane of Registry Editor. It is likely to exist within a string Value, named ‘IPAddress’ or ‘DhcpIPAddress’.
When found, stay in the same key, and in the left panel of registry editor
- Right click the empty place, and choose New to create two DWORD Values
- Rename these values as ‘TcpAckFrequency’ (sending out packets immediately)
- and ‘TCPNoDelay’ (Disabling Nagle-Algorithm)
- Double click both the entries to Modify
- Put 1 as their Value data to activate them, and click OK to save your changes
- Close Registry Editor, and Restart your Computer
Note
It is to inform that Nagle-Algorithm is an essential Windows tool, and needs to be reactivated for a proficient piece of work. A permanently disabled Nagle-Algorithm may have a visible influence on your regular bandwidth. Once you are done with your work, reverse this setting by changing the data of two newly created values to 0.
How to Standardize Your Windows 8 on Your Own
It has been proven that Microsoft Windows is one of the most loyal operating systems in action. This has only been possible due to its frequent up gradation, advancements, and assimilation of new values. The recent versions of Windows hold utilities, which are not fully known to even those calling their selves expert. As Windows has a number of built-in tools, it helps its basic users to standardize and align their system by their own. Let us look at some very compelling instruments, conformed by this platform.
Windows Memory Diagnostic
This tool specializes is establishing an in-depth examination of your system memory and detecting any issues hindering in its performance. It then applies its certain fixation techniques to remediate accordingly. To access and get facilitated by this exclusive feature of Windows operating system,
- Press Windows key + R, and type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the Run box. Hit Enter key to access it. The interface displays a couple of options.
- If you want to carry out an instant analytical check, click the first option Restart now and check problems. And if you want to leave it for later, go for Check for problems the next time I start my computer.
Resource Monitor
This is one of the Windows own mapping tool, that screens each process and service, active at that moment. Moreover, it sketches each activity against different system resources consumed by it. This function is very easy to use, and can be brought under use in the following way.
- Press Windows key + R, and type Resource Monitor in the Run box. Hit Enter key to access it. It expresses and analyses each process, with four different resource dimensions. These are CPU, Memory, Disk, andNetwork.
- If you realize any process that is not worth of what it is consuming, just right click the process, and terminate it by selecting End Process.
Performance Monitor
This is a relatively technical tool, as you have to observe the system performance charts narrowly, at different intervals of time. Only then would you be able to extract useful results, based on the major fluctuations. To contact and practice this service,
- Press Windows key + R, and type Resource Monitor in the Run box. Hit Enter key to open its pertinent window. It mainly appears with a graphical illustration of performance.
- All you have to do is carefully perceive and witness major variations in the graph line, notice the shown time for that variation, and contact log data for its description.
System Information
Although, you are the possessor of your computer, you still may not be well informed about its detailed specs. For this reason, at uncertain times when a severe problem occurs, and you are asked about some profound details, you are unable to comply. As a precaution for such conditions,
- Press Windows key + R, and type System Information in the Run box. Press Enter key to open a window divided into two panels. Right panel reveals as a detailed sector of each item in the left panel.
- Go to the File menu in the menu bar, and click to Export the information in a text file. Save it with a name, and preserve it for further use in a critical situation.
There are other useful tools, similar to these, and can be found within Computer Management application. To have an overview of those, search with Computer Management in the search box.
How to Fix Xinput1_3.dll Error
Xinput1_3.dll file is one of the required components of Microsoft DirectX. Microsoft DirectX is technology designed to make Windows operating system compatible with applications rich in multimedia elements. It helps your graphic card in creating a detailed virtual and stimulus environment. Games and applications with high graphics and sound usually require a specific version of DirectX to form a consonance with the user’s PC.
After installing a game and its applicable version of DirectX, your system sometimes may prompt you with error messages stating, “The file xinput1_3.dll is missing” or “Xinput1_3.DLL Not Found.” This occurs only when the said game or application is launched.
Following are some noticeable reasons for this problem to occur, and their appropriate resolutions.
Resolve via Restart
Sometimes, due to a minor concurrence, the system is not able to load up the file xinput1_3.dll from the directory. Consequently, you may not be able to run your desired game or application. At the very first place, you are suggested to Restart your computer and then re-launch the program. If still the error keeps on appearing, move to the following steps.
Resolve via Latest Version
Search for the latest version of this utility and install it, even if your program (game/application) necessitates a specific version of DirectX. Microsoft DirectX is backward compatible and each new version encloses the files from the previous version. The current latest version of DirectX is 11.1 for Windows 8, and 11.2 for Windows 8.1.
Resolve via Reinstall
The error you are facing may not have resulted from a troubled DirectX utility, but due to defective files of your software. It is conceivable that the responsible files of your program may not be able to bring up required xinput1_3.dll from the DirectX library. Make sure that you have installed the software in an appropriate way. Else, completely uninstall it, and make a repeated installation.
Resolve via Restore
If you are sure that the xinput1_3.dll file is infected, search out for the latest version of DirectX on the internet; Download the installation package from its concerned webpage; locate xinput1_3.dll in the zipped folder; extract the file replacing with the one existing in your DirectX folder.
Resolve via Update
As being an element of DirectX, xinput1_3.dll is directly related to the graphics card assimilated. There might be a possibility of mismatch between the .dll file and graphic card drivers. It is therefore suggested to explore, download, and install the latest available drivers of your Graphic Card.
How to Install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Offline in Windows 8 without Internet Connection?
Now-a-days almost all 3rd party software require Microsoft .NET Framework installed in your system. The required .NET Framework version might be different for different software and the most required .NET Framework version is 3.5 which comes preinstalled in Windows 7.
If you are using Windows 8, you might face a problem while trying to run a program which requires .NET Framework 3.5 version. Windows 8 doesn't come with .NET Framework 3.5 version. It comes with the latest .NET Framework 4.5 version preinstalled.
Whenever you try to open a program requiring .NET Framework 3.5, you get following message:
An app on your PC needs the following Windows feature:
.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)
There are 2 buttons given to install the .NET Framework version or to skip the installation. If you decide to install it, Windows tries to connect to Internet to download the setup files of .NET Framework 3.5.
That's strange because Windows 8 setup contains .NET Framework 3.5 setup files but still Windows tries to connect to Internet. It would have been better and easier if Windows 8 installed the .NET Framework 3.5 without Internet connection just like it does for other Windows components such as Media Center, Internet Explorer, etc which can be installed or uninstalled using "Programs and Features" applet in Control Panel.
If you don't have an Internet connection or if you don't want to waste time and bandwidth in downloading the setup files, here is a way to install .NET Framework 3.5 offline in Windows 8.
Today in this tutorial, we'll tell you how to install .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 8 without any need of Internet connection. You can install it offline with the help of a single command. This method requires Windows 8 setup disc or ISO file so make sure you have Windows 8 setup files with you.
So without wasting time lets start the tutorial:
1. First you'll need to copy Windows 8 setup files to your hard disk. If you have Windows 8 setup ISO copied in your system, you can mount it by right-click on it and select "Mount" option or you can extract its content using 7-Zip.
If you have Windows 8 setup disc and don't want to copy its content, its ok. Just insert the disc in your CD/DVD drive so that Windows can access its content.
2. Now open Command Prompt as Administrator as mentioned here and then provide following command:
Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /Source:F:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess
Here "F:" represents the CD/DVD drive letter in your system which contains Windows 8 setup disc. Replace it with the correct drive letter according to your system.
If you extracted Windows 8 setup files in a directory, replace F:\sources\sxs with the correct path.
3. As soon as you execute the above mentioned command, Windows will start installing .NET Framework 3.5 in your system and it'll not require Internet connection.
It'll take a few minutes and you'll get a message that the operation completed successfully.
4. That's it. Now you have installed .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 8 without using Internet connection.
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