Windows Tweaks
Customize Send To... Context Menu
Add or delete location from
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
PowerShell scripts to list Installed Software
I found the original PowerShell script in the October 2019 issue of "Maximum PC" on page 25, and after some slight modifications, I found it to be quite useful. It could come in really handy for preparing to (re)install Windows and wanting to remember all the programs that were on the original setup.
I found it interesting that the order of the piped commands made this reminiscent of an SQL query...
32-bit:
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* |
Select-Object DisplayName, Publisher, InstallDate, InstallLocation, HelpLink |
Sort-Object -Property DisplayName, Publisher |
Format-Table -AutoSize |
Out-File -FilePath C:\Users\Neamerjell\Documents\software.txt -Width 4096
Another script lists all the available properties for use with the above script:
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Get-Member -MemberType Properties
Links to the PowerShell documentation I used to create and modify these scripts:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/samples/sorting-objects?view=powershell-7.1
64-bit, Local Machine:
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, Publisher,
InstallDate, InstallLocation, HelpLink | Sort-Object -Property DisplayName, Publisher | Format-Table -AutoSize |
Out-File -FilePath C:\Users\Neamerjell\Documents\software-HKLM.txt -Width 4096
64-bit Current User:
Get-ItemProperty HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, Publisher,
InstallDate, InstallLocation, HelpLink | Sort-Object -Property DisplayName, Publisher | Format-Table -AutoSize |
Out-File -FilePath C:\Users\Neamerjell\Documents\software-HKCU.txt -Width 4096
Adapted from code found here:
https://www.codetwo.com/admins-blog/how-to-check-installed-software-version/Change Default Image Editor to Paint.Net
Press Windows Key + R combination on keyboard and type Regedt32.exe in Run dialog box. Press OK. Then type the following into the search bar:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell\edit\command
Now in the right pane, double-click on the Default string, you’ll find the command to Microsoft Paint i.e. “%systemroot%\system32\mspaint.exe” “%1”. Change the Value data to the location of your desired software.
"C:\Program Files\paint.net\paintdotnet.exe" "%1"
NOTE : Remember to put “ around the %1 as shown above for the term “%1”, otherwise you may get the following error: "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."
Quick Launch Toolbar
One of the things I missed most in Windows 7 that XP was nearly built upon was the Quick Launch toolbar. That line of icons to the right of the Start menu that enabled me to launch applications with a single click instead of rooting around in the Start menu looking for them can be had again...
Right click on an empty place on the taskbar In the context menu, click New Toolbar under the Toolbars menu Paste the following path into the location box:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Turn on NumLock at login screen
Press Windows Key + R combination on keyboard and type Regedt32.exe in Run dialog box. Press OK. Then type the following into the search bar:
HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Keyboard
Change the value:
InitialKeyboardIndicators
from 2147483648 to 2147483650
Delete a file that Windows says "no longer exists"
Open cmd.exe in administrator mode, then delete the file. You will probably have to use the first characters and the "*" wild card due to this issue often being caused by invalid file names.
Bring back advanced "Window Color and Appearance" window
Right click the desktop and create a new shortcut. Copy and paste this into the target field:
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl,,5
Firefox Tweaks
Disable Firefox Download Protection
I got sick of Firefox trying to protect me from myself. I lost count of the number of times I tried to download something legitimate only to be denied by Firefox playing nanny. I couldn't even download attachments that I sent to myself from Gmail! That was the last straw!
about:config
browser.download.enable_spam_prevention
set to false!!!
An old annoyance is the downloads list would open every time I downloaded something!
about:config
browser.download.alwaysOpenPanel
double click to change from "true" to "false"
Every time Firefox updates, the icons were nearly invisible.
In about:config change the string value of
layout.css.devPixelsPerPx
for 1080p: 1.2
for 4K : 2.6
Praise God! I'm not going blind after all! I can actually see my icons!
Warning! Increment this value by 0.1 and test each new value. I cranked it up to 3.0 and nearly lost the ability to view anything but the menu bar. I had to hit F11 to go to full screen and view the about:config page line by line to change it back. You have been warned.
Firefox for Android - Prevent Hiding of Tabs and Address Bar When Scrolling:
In about:config, set
browser.chrome.dynamictoolbar
to false
Stop screen tearing
Again in about:config, set
layers.acceleration.force-enabled
to true.
Fix corrupted USB drive
(as result from using it as boot drive for installing Linux)
Open a command prompt window
diskpart
DISKPART>list disk
This will list all disks available to Windows. One listing should match the size of the USB drive you want to repair. Take note of the Disk # displayed for it. (replace # with actual disk number)
DISKPART>select disk #
DISKPART>clean
This will essentially brick the USB drive
DISKPART>create partition primary
DISKPART>format fs=fat32 label=new-volume-label quick
If the drive does not appear as usable by Windows...
DISKPART>active
DISKPART>assign letter=E
Exit the diskpart program
DISKPART>exit