Windows Vista Screensavers don’t have an options page, and clicking the Settings button in the Screen Saver Settings shows the message This screen saver has no options that you can set. Long Zheng revealed that the Windows Vista Screensavers were designed to be customizable and he provides the registry hacks to configure them. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Vista’
Configure Windows Vista Screensaver Settings via the Registry
How to Start Vista Task Manager in Elevated Mode by Default
Task Manager in Windows Vista runs in non-elevated mode by default, showing only those processes running under the current user context. To be able to terminate or manage a process running under the system context or other user accounts, and to logoff another user account, you need to elevate Task Manager by clicking the Show processes from all users button in the Processes tab. (more…)
Script to Backup the Services Configuration (Startup Type) in Windows 7/XP/2003/Vista
After doing a fresh install of Windows XP/2003/Vista/7, disabling unused Windows Services is one of the time consuming tasks you perform. One configured, you can backup the service startup state using a Batch file or Script so that it can be used for subsequent installations, or if you need to automate the task on several computers in your workgroup. (more…)
How to Search for Files Created Between Two Dates in Windows Vista
In Windows XP you can use the Search Companion to search for files created or modified between two given dates. Although there is no such GUI option provided in Windows Vista, you can accomplish the task using Advanced Query Syntax. (more…)
How to Capture a Screenshot of the User Account Control Elevation Dialog
The User Account Control (UAC) elevation dialog is displayed in secure desktop, and hence the Print Screen button wouldn’t capture it. If you’re a technical writer who needs to capture the User Account Control dialog to add it to a documentation or help file, here are a couple of ways to do so. (more…)
Remove Favorite Links Completely From Explorer and Common Dialog in Windows Vista
You know that the Favorite Links area in Windows Explorer can be hidden by moving its resize handle to the top. After tinkering with the registry I found a way to remove Favorite Links and prevent the user from enabling it again. The resize cursor wouldn’t appear when you hover your mouse pointer over the Favorite Links border, after applying this registry edit. (more…)
Contact Groups Not Transferred When You Export the Address Book to a CSV File
When you export the Address Book to a .CSV file using Outlook Express, the Contact Groups data is not exported. To transfer the Contacts along with Contact Groups to another computer, use the instructions in this article. (more…)
Prevent Desktop Background (Wallpaper) Change When Applying a Desktop Theme
When you change the desktop theme, it changes the wallpaper, cursors other visual elements as defined in the theme file. If you want to retain the existing desktop background (wallpaper) when changing themes in Windows XP or Windows Vista, here is a registry edit. This can be useful if you want to test different themes without affecting the existing desktop background. (more…)
How to Extract Files From FAST Store Using Windows Easy Transfer in Vista
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (F.A.S.T) in Windows XP helps you migrate files and settings from one Windows-based computer to another Windows XP computer. In Windows Vista, there is a new tool to migrate files and settings, known as Windows Easy Transfer. Unfortunately, Windows Easy Transfer is incompatible with Files and Settings Transfer Wizard as it stores data in a different format. (more…)
How to Determine the Last Shutdown Date and Time in Windows XP/2003/Vista
The easiest way to determine the last shutdown date/time is to check the event logs. When you shutdown a computer Event ID 6006 is written to the Event log which denotes a clean shutdown. Here is a sample event. (more…)

