Windows Update error 80072efd on Windows 7

For a couple months now I haven’t been able to update my precious Windows 7.  I would get a message that the updates failed with, “Windows Update error 80072efd.”  I tried all the steps from the Windows Help and Support window (running the Windows Update troubleshooter and adding the Windows Update websites to the Windows […]

Getting the Most out of Windows Command Prompt

If you are like me you use the command prompt a lot.  It seems each time I logon to a new system I have to setup the command prompt just the way I want.  The first thing I do is create a shortcut in the Quick Launch toolbar.  Next I modify that shortcut so it […]

Create Windows Shortcuts With a Script at the Command Line

If you are like me you 1) access numerous Windows computers, in my case mainly servers through Remote Desktop; and 2) like to have your Windows desktop setup a certain way.  Here are some examples of a quick and easy way to create shortcuts with a script.  These examples are Visual Basic Scripts (.vbs) and […]

Alternatives to HyperTerminal in Windows 7 and Vista

Beginning with Windows Vista Microsoft removed HyperTerminal (aka HyperTerm & Hyper Terminal).  Of course, this means it isn’t in Windows 7 either. There are several options you can use to replace its functionality. PuTTY – My Recommendation PuTTY is a free implementation of Telnet and SSH for Win32 and Unix platforms, along with an xterm […]

RichCopy – RoboCopy GUI (sort of) by Microsoft

RichCopy is a free utility from Ken Tamaru of Microsoft. The tool was first developed in 2001 and has been updated regularly to keep pace with evolving needs.  Worthy of note is that RichCopy is a multithreaded copying tool. That means that rather than copying one file at a time in serial order, RichCopy can […]

Ultimate Windows Tweaker v 2.0 for Windows 7 and Vista

Ultimate Windows Tweaker v 2.0 is a freeware Tweak UI Utility for tweaking and optimizing Windows 7 & Windows Vista, 32-bit & 64-bit. It can simply be downloaded and used as a portable application to customize your Windows to meet your requirements. With judicious tweaking, it can make your system faster, more stable, and more […]

Disable/Enable User Access Control (UAC) on Windows 7 or Vista from the Command Line

Microsoft introduced User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista. UAC enables users to perform common tasks as non-administrators, called standard users in Windows (Vista and Windows 7), and as administrators without having to switch users, log off, or use Run As. A standard user account is synonymous with a user account in Windows XP. User accounts that […]

How to Add Quick Launch to Windows 7 Task Bar

By default Windows 7 does not display quick launch on the taskbar like Windows XP and Vista. How to Enable Quick Launch in Windows 7 Right-click on taskbar. From Toolbars Menu select New Toolbar. Under Folder add: %appdata%MicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch then press Select Folder. How to Unlock the Taskbar Unlock the taskbar by right-clicking on […]

How to Install and Configure IIS 7 FTP Publishing Service

The new FTP Publishing Service 7.5 has been rewritten for Windows Server 2008 and lot of new futures and additions included. (Integration with IIS 7, FTP over SSL (from v7.0), Improved Logging, etc..) Prerequisites1. Internet Information Services 7.0 installed.2. Windows Server 2008 or Vista.3. Download FTP Publishing Service 7.5 Microsoft FTP Service 7.5 for IIS […]