Category: Microsoft » Page 126

Fix for Event Log Service Startup Error 1079

Last Updated on: May 31, 2021 by Ramesh

When you start the Event Viewer, the following error message may be shown. Event Log service is unavailable. Verify that the service is running. Any attempts to start the Event Log service results in the following error: Windows could not start the Windows Event Log service on Local Computer. Error 1079: The account specified for … Read more

Updating Microsoft Security Essentials Using Command-Line

Last Updated on: August 16, 2025 by Ramesh

Microsoft Security Essentials includes a command-line utility which can be used to update the virus/malware definitions, initiate a scan, undo a recent definition update and perform other tasks. To know how to use the command-line utility, open a Command Prompt window (CMD.EXE) and execute the following command: “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Security Essentials\MpCmdRun.exe” /? Command Description -? … Read more

Default Programs Editor – A Useful File Association Editor for Windows

Last Updated on: May 31, 2021 by Ramesh

Default Programs Editor is a very useful tool which helps you to edit file type associations, add or remove AutoPlay handlers and static context menu entries. In Windows, there is no built-in option provided to add or edit context menu entries and static verbs. Here is where the Default Programs Editor comes in handy. This … Read more

How to Enable Quick Edit Mode in the Command Prompt by Default

Last Updated on: June 24, 2019 by Ramesh

You can use the mouse to copy Command Prompt text to the clipboard by enabling the Quick Edit option in Command Prompt shortcut properties. What if you don’t use a desktop shortcut to open Command Prompt, and rather run cmd.exe directly? Here is a registry edit which enables Quick Edit option by default for Command Prompt. This works regardless of the methods you use to open the Command Prompt window.

This article was written for older Windows versions. Quick Edit is enabled by default in latest versions of Windows, such as Windows 10.

Miscellaneous Registry Fixes for Windows (All versions)

Last Updated on: June 18, 2021 by Ramesh

Here is a compilation of some useful registry fixes for Windows 7/8/Vista/XP. I might add more fixes as more issues come in. If you have a specific request, please be sure to add it in the Comments section. # Description REG Fix OS 1 Error 1719 Windows Installer Service Could Not be Accessed, when installing … Read more

[Fix] Recycle Bin Icon Does Not Refresh Correctly

Last Updated on: May 3, 2022 by Ramesh

When you use a custom icon (.ico) file to customize the Recycle Bin Empty & Full icons manually or via a desktop theme, the Recycle Bin icon may not update or refresh correctly when emptying the Recycle Bin or when you add items to it. In some cases, the issue may occur even if you’re using the Windows default icons for the Recycle Bin.

There are two variations of the problem:

When using the Windows default icons for the Recycle Bin, Recycle Bin would either be stuck on the empty icon or the full icon, but the icon updates correctly when you press the F5 button on the keyboard.
Another variation is that the Recycle Bin icon does not refresh automatically only when using custom icon files for Recycle Bin (Full) and Recycle Bin (Empty).

This post mentions the solution for the Recycle Bin icon refresh problem for all versions of Windows, including Windows 10/11.Read more

How to Disable Explorer Search Box Suggestions in Windows

Last Updated on: May 31, 2021 by Ramesh

Earlier we saw how to clear the search MRU entries in Windows. Are you one of those who finds the Search Box suggestion pop-ups annoying, and want to turn off the feature? Here is a registry edit which disables the search box suggestions in File Explorer. Disable File Explorer Search Box Suggestions Click Start, type … Read more

How to Remove “Always use the selected program” Option from Open With Dialog

Last Updated on: May 12, 2019 by Ramesh

The Open With dialog in Windows allows you to open a file using different programs. Also, you can create or change the file type association by selecting the “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file” checkbox in the Open With dialog. Sometimes, users wrongly associate file types and end up having … Read more

[Fix] Folders Open in New Window Every time

Last Updated on: May 5, 2024 by Ramesh

When you open File Explorer and double-click a folder, it may open a new Explorer window rather than showing the folder contents in the existing window.

This issue may occur even though the “Open each folder in the same window” setting is selected in Control Panel → Folder Options.

Cause

Folders may always open in a new window due to the wrong folder association settings in the registry. For example, the (default) registry value data in the following key may be incorrectly set to “opennewwindow”

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell

Or, an unwanted registry value named LaunchExplorerFlags may be present in the following registry location:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open

If the LaunchExplorerFlags value exists and its data is a non-zero value (i.e., not equal to 0x0), then this value overrides the “Open each folder in the same window” setting. Due to the incorrect registry setting, the default double-click action folders is set to “Open in new window”.

Another possible cause is that the “DelegateExecute” registry value may be missing in the above location.

These incorrect registry settings force Windows to open folders in a new window when you double-click on them. Let’s see how to fix this problem.

The fixes #1 and #2 below apply to all versions of Windows, including Windows 11.Read more

Increase Show Desktop “Aero Peek” Mouse Hover Delay in Windows

Last Updated on: June 29, 2019 by Ramesh

Aero Peek is feature which allows you to temporarily view the desktop without having to minimize all the open windows. You can temporarily preview the desktop by moving the mouse pointer over the Show desktop button near the taskbar notification area.

The default hover delay is 1 second. If this time is too short for you, you can delay it furthermore to avoid accidental preview of the desktop. This can be done using a registry edit discussed in this article.Read more