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Windows Vista Tips

All of the information, instructions, and recommendations on this Web site are offered on a strictly "as is" basis. Remember "Murphy's Law." Please take the proper precautions before attempting any of the tips or modifications listed here.

Contents

HyperTerminal is Not Included with Windows Vista

According to Microsoft, "HyperTerminal is no longer part of Windows."

Purpose of HyperTerminal

HyperTerminal is a terminal emulation program that supports communications over TCP/IP networks, Modems, and serial COM ports.

I use HyperTerminal to connect, via the serial port, to the console port on Cisco switches and routers. This lets me do the initial configuration, like setting the IP address and subnet mask. Once the device has an IP address, I can then switch to using telnet to access it.

Where to find HyperTerminal

If you have access to a clean Windows XP computer, you can copy the HyperTerminal files from it and use them on Vista without a problem.

Locations:

• C:\Program Files\Windows NT\hypertrm.exe
• C:\WINDOWS\system32\hypertrm.dll
• C:\WINDOWS\Help\hypertrm.chm
• C:\WINDOWS\Help\hypertrm.hlp

You can copy all of the above files to the same location / directory on your Vista PC.

Reference

• What happened to HyperTerminal?
• Alternatives to HyperTerminal in Vista
• Tera Term
• PuTTY: A Free Telnet/SSH Client
• HyperTerminal Private Edition

Directory Differences Between Windows XP and Vista

Well-known directories have been moved or changed in Windows Vista from what they were in Windows XP.

Reference:

• Managing Roaming User Data Deployment Guide

Protected Mode Issues When "Temporary Internet Files" Directory is Moved to a Location Outside of the Users Directory Hierarchy

Internet Explorer 7 on Windows Vista has an "Enable Protected Mode" option under Internet Options > Security.

Issue

Internet Explorer 7 displays a blank page and no error message regardless of the URL entered.  IE7 will work as expected if you "Run as Administrator" or disable Protected Mode.

Cause

If the "Temporary Internet Files" directory is moved to a location outside of the \Users\ directory hierarchy, IE7 may have insufficient rights to the new directory. Allowing "Modify" rights for the target directory is insufficient.  You will need to temporarily allow "Full control" for the affected user or group for the directory that "Temporary Internet Files" is in.

Workaround

1. Temporarily allow "Full control" for the affected user or group for the directory where "Temporary Internet Files" is located.
2. Start Internet Explorer 7
3. Exit Internet Explorer 7
4. Uncheck allow "Full control" for the affected user or group for the directory where "Temporary Internet Files" is located. You'll still need to allow "Modify" rights for the affected user or group.

Also see: Microsoft Knowledge Base Articles 937828 and 937409.

Show extensions for known files types

1. In Windows Explorer, choose Organize > Folder and Search Options.
2. Click the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box.
3. In Advanced Settings, deselect Hide Extensions For Known File Types.
4. Click OK.

Open a Command Prompt using the Vista DVD

1. Boot with the Windows Vista DVD in the drive to get into its Setup. 
2. Select a language and click "Next" on the first screen that appears
3. Then click "Install Now".
4. When asked to "Type your product key for activation," press Shift-F10 to open a Command Prompt.

Slow Copying of Data Across a Network

This is a workaround for Windows Vista's slow copying of data across a network.

The slow copy process seems to be due to the way Windows Explorer in Vista handles Server Message Block (SMB) shares, and may also be due to the fact that Windows Explorer in Vista, by default, parses files for thumbnail icons across the network.

The following may fix the problem:

1. In Windows Explorer, choose Organize > Folder and Search Options.
2. Click the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box.
3. Tick "Always show icons, never thumbnails"
4. Click OK.

Or,

Go to Control Panel > Folder Options > View tab, then tick "Always show icons, never thumbnails."

Cannot select more than one item in Windows Explorer

Problem Description

• Unable to select multiple files and/or directories in Windows Explorer
• Folder Customizations are stored in the registry, and default to a maximum of 400 entries.

Error Messages

• No error messages are displayed

Resolution, Part 1

1. Open Windows Explorer by double clicking on Computer or pressing the Windows Key + e
2. Organize > Folder and Search Options > View tab
   or
   Tools > Folder Options... > View tab
3. Under "Advanced settings:," make sure that "Remember each folder's view settings" is not checked.
4. Click the "Reset Folders" button
5. Click the "OK" button
6. Close Windows Explorer
7. Reboot Windows Vista

Resolution, Part 2

If you are still unable to select multiple files or directories after trying "Resolution, Part 1," then you should try modifying the registry.

Try deleting the following registry keys:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags

You can copy the following code to a reg file to do the work for you. I named mine, "Delete all saved folder customizations.reg"

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Delete all saved folder customizations, NOTE: Desktop.ini files will take priority when you
; re-visit a folder, The shell folders for Documents, Pictures, Videos, etc. "should"
; maintain that setting even after you delete all customization from the registry.

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]

Resolution, Part 3

You can increase the number of BagMRU/Bags entries from the default of 400 to 8000 by using the following registry file:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Modify the Folder Storage space to 8000, 
; this will allow the saving of settings for up to 8000 different directories.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell]
   "BagMRU Size"=dword:00001f40
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam]
   "BagMRU Size"=dword:00001f40

References / Related Articles

• You cannot use keyboard shortcuts to select more than one item in Windows Explorer after you install certain applications on a Windows Vista-based computer (KB Article ID: 934548)
• Unable to select multiple files in explorer
• Unable to select multiple files in Windows Explorer
• Folder icon/picture problems (TheVistaForums.com)

Unidentified Network - Local Only Access

Alternate title: Unable to Connect to the Internet

OS: Windows Vista Business

Router: Linksys BEFSR41, and Cisco

Problem Description

• Upon connecting to a new network, "Access" in Network and Sharing Center indicates that the connection is "Local Only" instead of "Local and Internet."
• Windows Vista firewall is enabled, but no recent changes were made
• System connects to the Internet on previously known networks
• System is set to "Obtain IP address Automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically"
• System gets a valid IP address lease from the DHCP server
• System can ping other devices on the LAN but not on the WAN
• No new software or updates installed prior to failure
• Setting a static IP address may allow connection to the Internet
• No viruses or other malware detected on system

Error Messages or Behavior

• "Access" in Network and Sharing Center indicates that the connection is "Local Only" instead of "Local and Internet."
• "Access" in Network and Sharing Center indicates that the connection is "Local and Internet" but you still cannot connect to the Internet.

Resolution: If you receive a proper IP address

If your computer received an IP address in the proper range from your DHCP server, then the problem may be an issue with IPv6 on your network.

• Try disabling IPv6

Resolution: If you did not receive a proper IP address

If your computer did not receive an IP address in the proper range for from your DHCP server, then the problem may be that your computer is not receiving a response from the DHCP server. If your IP address starts with 169.x.x.x, then this is the case.

This issue occurs because of a difference in design between Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Specifically, in Windows XP SP2, the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets is set to 0 (disabled). In Windows Vista, the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets is not disabled. Therefore, some routers and some non-Microsoft DHCP servers cannot process the DHCP discovery packets.

To resolve the issue you'll need to edit the registry in Vista to disable the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets. See Microsoft KB Article: 928233.

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit)
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
   In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey that corresponds to the network adapter that is connected to the network.
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. In the New Value #1 box, type DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle, and then click Modify.
6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
7. Close Registry Editor.

References / Related Articles

• Unidentified Network "local access" only ( Posts #9, #3)
• Vista Local Access Only Problem (DaniWeb.com)
• Dogpile.com Search: windows vista access local only
• Windows Vista cannot obtain an IP address from certain routers or from certain non-Microsoft DHCP servers (KB Article: 928233)
• You may experience connectivity issues or performance issues when you connect a mobile PC that is running Windows Vista to a wireless access point. (KB Article: 928152)

Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots

You can use Snipping Tool to capture a screen shot, or snip, of any object on your screen, and then annotate, save, or share the image. Snipping Tool comes with all versions of Windows Vista.

Open Snipping Tool by clicking the Start button > All Programs > Accessories > Snipping Tool.

Snipping Tool cannot do snips of itself so, you'll have to use a seperate screen capture program to get screeen shots of Snipping Tool.

Snipping Tool Missing?

Snipping Tool is part of Tablet Tools. To enable Snipping Tools go to: Control Panel > Program and Features > Turn Windows Features on or off. Then turn on Tablet Tools.

References / Related Articles

• Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots
• Snipping Tool: frequently asked questions

Require Users Press Ctrl+Alt+Del

1. In a Command prompt, type secpol.msc
2. Navigate to Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
3. Disable, Interactive logon: Do not require CTRL+ALT+DEL

Enable Username and Password Logon
(Do not display last user name)

Windows Vista Business

1. In a Command prompt, type secpol.msc
2. Navigate to Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
3. Enable, Interactive logon: Do not display last user name

Windows Vista Home

SecPol.msc is not available in the Home versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

1. Open the Registry Editor (regedit)
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\
3. Right-click on the (dontdisplaylastusername) and then click Modify
4. In the Value data box, change the 0 to 1, and then click OK.
5. Close Registry Editor.

Hide a User Account From the Welcome Screen

When I setup computer systems I add a backup administrator level account that's used only for emergencies. I don't want this backup administrator account listed on the Welcome Screen of Windows.

By modifying the registry, you can hide accounts you don’t want displayed on the Welcome Screen.

Please take the proper precautions before attempting to modify your registry.

1. Start the Registry Editor
2. Go to the following key in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\
CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Note: There is a space between Windows and NT.

3. Right-click on the Winlogon key and create a new ney names: SpecialAccounts
4. Right-click on the SpecialAccounts key and create a new key named: UserList
5. In UserList, add the username you wish to hide as a DWORD (32-bit) value.
6. Set the value to 0 (zero) to hide or 1 (one) to display.

Important Note: Make sure not to hide your last administrator account using this tweak, or you won't be able to login as administrator anymore.

This will prevent the user from showing up on the Welcome Screen.

Note: You'll have to enable the option to "Require Users to Press Ctrl+Alt+Del" to be able to log in using the hidden user account.