Advanced: Another Way to Add Icons to Desktop

Creating a shortcut icon to desktop is very easy and one of the useful invented features in Windows. Did you ever asked why some system icons has no overlay shortcut arrow icon?  e.g. Computer, Network, Recycle Bin and Internet Explorer Icon.

Tweak with winbubbles?  Maybe…

Now, I’m going to share how to create icons in Desktop like those system icons that we usually see.

1. Create or Provide a reference number called GUID which is unique to identify a particular icon. Learn first how to generate a new GUID for each Icon that you’ll create.

2. In this example I’m going to use the Guid:

{9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb}

3. Find and Open Regedit.exe using the Start Menu Quick Search and navigate to the Subkeys below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\Namespace

*If you can’t see the Desktop and Name space keys… just create a new subkey

4. Create a new Key inside called {9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\Namespace\{9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb}

5. Navigate the following subkeys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\

and create {9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb} subkey again.

In this example we will put an icon of WinAmp to Desktop as shown below:

You’ll noticed that the Icon has no Shortcut arrow overlay.

6. Gather the data needed like Icon Path, File Path and Program Name.

Enter the Program Name at the (default) of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb} subkey

e.g. WinAmp

Create the following Subkeys: DefaultIcon, Shell\Open\command inside the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb} Registry Path

Double Click the created subkey HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb} \DefaultIcon and enter the Icon Path.

e.g. C:\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe,0

Enter the File Path that corresponds to the Command to Open the Program at:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9e4e00f2-7abc-44b6-9853-e807cdb1dccb}\Shell\Open\command

e.g. C:\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe

That’s it. 

Enjoy! :)

Difficult or easy? Please Stay Tuned…

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Simple Ways to Improve/Enhance Windows Vista Performance

Speed up Vista! This is the most directly and indirectly talked topic in the internet for 2 years the day after Windows Vista was launched.

In this article, I’m going to give several ways to Increase your laptop and PC performance.

Install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and 2

When Windows Service Pack 1 was released, we have seen huge performance increase in File Management, Compatibility and Windows Shell Stability. Windows Vista Service Pack 2 makes it more stable and faster. I’m using the new Service pack for few weeks now and it looks good.

• Download SP1 and SP2

Increase your RAM

For sure… Buying more RAM in Vista will help you while in Multiple Task - launching and using several apps at the same time.

Fresh Installation of Windows Vista

Windows was designed to operate in multiple cases or hybrid environment. So, definitely tracking those changes is extremely difficult or almost impossible to detect. If you upgrade the copy of your Windows to Vista, I don’t agree that it is the same or faster than a newly installed copy of Windows.

Manage Startup Programs or Softwares

Some softwares start themselves automatically when you start and logon to Windows. If there are too many of programs opening at the same time during user login, this can slow down your computer.

Read my previous article about Disabling Startup Programs

Using WinBubbles

WinBubble will let you access quickly some important options hidden in Windows Vista that will give some boost in performance.

Read more about the options here

Power options

Changing the power plan to High Performance will speed up your computer especially in Laptop computers.

However when laptop battery is in used, this option will definitely eat up a lot of battery usage.

In this case Power saver mode is recommended.

Adjusting Visual Effects

Changing the Performance options that can be found in the old System Properties Window will definitely give you more options to adjust. However, Choosing the best Performance is not recommended because your desktop will look like Windows 98.

Custom options is recommended:

• Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing – If this option is unchecked, It will definitely speed up opening of window and apps. Read here

To see is to believed

Proof: Try to Uncheck the option and open a Picture (.jpg or png) using Windows Photo Gallery.

• Show Window Content while dragging and Enable Transparent glass – These options should be unchecked for low performance computers. For high-performance PCs, It’s up to you.
• Fading options will make you feel slow. Uncheck the Fade options for menus and especially Tooltips.
• Sliding options also will open some features a little bit slow like combo box and task bar buttons. Its up to you if you’ll disable this feature.
• Translucent Selection triangle is one of the useful features that will help those people with eye problems. Try to disable first and if your not having some difficulty without the feature, you can permanently disable the option.

• Shadows will help you differentiate some things easily. Experiment by trying to Disable these options for menus and mouse pointer.
• Other options will depend on user preferences. Just try and experiment with it. Enjoy! :)

Tweak your Internet Connections

Here are some ways to speed up your Internet Connection. Read here

Increase your Disk Space by using the Clean up Tool

You can increase the space of your Hard drive after installation of Vista SP2 by running the tool called compcln.exe in command prompt. It will make the installation of SP2 permanent by removing the other files. Note: If your computer lags… just wait until it is finished.

The old Tip: Use Disk Clean Up and Defragment the drive afterwards.

 

Advance Tools

Start Menu Quick Search > typ “perf” and click to Open Performance and Information Tools Window

Push Advanced Tools button located at the Right-Side of the Window and once the window opens, you’ll see more options and messages if there are some performance issues especially in shutting down and opening your computer (Source: Microsoft).

More Tip: Add “Remove Temporary Files” in your Right Click Menu

I’m sure… after trying these simple steps. You’ll feel an increased in speed and It’s like using the new OS of Microsoft called Windows Seven.

Enjoy! :)

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Download Vista SP2 - New Service Pack for Windows Vista

The latest service pack both for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista includes all the updates delivered since SP1. Therefore, make sure that you are running the previous version of Service Pack before installing the new one.

 

 

 

It Supports new types of hardware and simplifies deployment for all users.

Procedure

• SP1: Read first the Notable Changes and Reminders in SP1, Download and Install the previous Service pack.
• SP2: Choose which type do you want (DVD ISO or the standalone installer) and Download the File.
• Simply launch the installer afterwards and follow the instructions
• After you successfully installed Vista SP2, you can run the Cleanup tool (compcln.exe in command prompt) to permanently install the Service Pack and save more disk Space.

Important Changes that you will noticed: Stability and Performance

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Quick Tip: Speed up Minimize and Maximize of Window in Windows Vista

To see is to believed: For two days now, I am trying to emulate the speed of Windows 7 in Vista. One feature that can be access by anyone is increasing the speed of maximizing and minimizing a window by removing the animation feature.

Simply press Windows Key + R to launch the Run Window and type rundll32.exe Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL SysDM.cpl,,3

Alternatively, you can press Win+Pause and once the System Window opens click the “Advance system settings” located at the left side of the window. Afterwards UAC will open, just push the Continue button.

In Performance Group, Click the Settings Button. Performance option window will open and in Visual Effect Tab click the “Custom:” option.

Simply uncheck Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing and hit the Apply Button.

That’s it.

Proof: Disable the feature and open a Picture (.jpg or png) in  Pictures folder using Windows Photo Gallery.

I’m sure you’ll noticed a huge difference… especially if Windows Vista SP2 is already installed. It’s close to Windows 7 speed.

Enjoy :D

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Clean-up your Registry using RegistryBooster 2009

I would like to thank Uniblue.com for this month donation in this blogsite. It will help me maintain and create more products faster… Thank you very much!

The truth is, they did not ask me to write something about their product. However, when I tried it out, I was amazed because it was very very easy to use.

The product is good. It will help you automate finding problems easily.

Also, the most important thing… It will let you create a backup before cleaning your registry.

It’s a must to try.

CLICK HERE

Enjoy! :)

If you want to learn more about the registry and what can you do about it. Check out my Tips:

Windows Vista Tips and Secrets, Tricks, Tweaks, Unlocks and Downloads

Also… Please check out my other Softwares related to Registry Booster 2009:

Read Here

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