Hiding the Administrator or any User account at the Welcome screen using Tweakui, Registry and Regdevelop

After installation of Windows 7, for security reasons - by default you'll notice that the built-in Administrator account is disabled.  If you will enable the account for administrative usages, it will be shown at the welcome screen.

 

How will you hide any account name?

 

Using Tweakui at Windows XP

Tweakui is one of the pioneer using a graphical interface to tweak computer using Windows Registry.

It was so easy to use that it has been featured to several publications around the world since Windows 95, 98 and XP. It inspired several IT companies to create their own softwares that tweaks Windows easily.

Using Windows Registry (regedit.exe) from Tweakui

Proceed and create the registry folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList

Right-Click > use Dword (32-Bit) Value > “Administrator” as the name or any username and data 0 to hide and 1 to show.

Note: The registry settings has been tested to different version of Windows including Windows Vista and Windows 7.

• Removing the user from Welcome Screen listing doesn’t prevent them from logging into the account. If you want to remove them from using your computer you can disable the account temporarily.

net user [username] /active:no

Just make sure that your running the cmd.exe process or command prompt as administrator.

 

Using your RegDevelop to create your own tool

Let’s create a utility using regdevelop. Drag the Checkbox control to the Form designer and use the following configuration settings:

Caption

Hide the Administrator account at the Welcome Screen

RegKeyPath1

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

Value_Name1

Administrator

Value_Data1

0

ValueType1

DWORD

Finally, click the Build Icon… Cool!?

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(Access denied) Removing Autorun.inf file Virus from the hardisk

Sharing files from one media to another is probably usual nowadays. We need flash drives or removable media, internet and network drives to install, copy and share files from computer to another. Each medium has it’s own configuration to make it more usable. However, what can we get if not restricted to a form that we could accept – a worm virus.

Worm virus is a software program capable of reproducing rapidly from one computer to another using different storage media like portable hard disks, over the network and the internet. Worms take advantage of automated configuration or tasks by inserting codes to reproduce itself rapidly across the network.

One of these configuration files is Autorun.inf. Autorun is very useful in adding icon to the drive and launching setup files once the removable media is read, so instead of these programs being run, the inserted virus will be launch and create several techniques to be able to infect the computer and makes it very difficult to be remove.

Sample autorun.inf

[Autorun] open=setup.exe icon=setup.exe,0

If you see an autorun.inf to your drive, try to read the code first by using the command:

e:\>type autorun.inf

If the autorun looks the same like the sample version above, there is nothing to worry. If not… try to use “attrib” command to remove the hidden, read only and systems attribute as shown below.

However, if “access is denied” is returned, you need to reboot your computer and press F8 to log into SAFE mode.

Find the file and allow “Full control” for the security permission as shown. Use right-click, choose Properties and click the Security Tab.

Afterwards, use now the attribute command to remove the hidden, read only and system attribute to the file as shown and your done. You’ll be able to delete the file easily.

By the way, you can use Mcafee command-line scanner to detect if the virus was activated in one of the processes while clicking the drive.

At the command prompt, type:

SCAN /ADL /ALL /CLEAN /WINMEM /STREAMS /PROGRAM

and wait until its finish.

Keep on reading!

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Adding Desktop Icons using Microsoft Tweakui through WinBubble and Regdevelop

Tweakui was once the most popular in customization program through windows 98 to windows xp registry, it was too easy to use and apply. In that time, the tool provides a very simple design for performing tasks that is usually can be done only by administrators and geeks.

[Icon registry settings] Let’s study how it’s made and create a similar program using winbubble or regdevelop…

Adding Icons to Desktop from Tweakui option and WinBubble functions: Download here (4/21/2012)

Using Tweakui, you could add those icons easily at desktop. I’m going to share the registry values created by tweakui as shown below.

Registry Values

Desktop Icons (All registry entries works with Windows XP only)
Registry Key Path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

Configuration for	Value Name	Value Data
Internet Explorer Desktop Icon	{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}	0
My Computer Desktop Icon	{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}	0
My Documents Desktop Icon	{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}	0
My Network Places Desktop Icon	{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}	0
Recycle Bin Icon	{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}	0

Originally, these registry settings doesn’t exist. When the registry value name “{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}” was created and it’s value data is 0 then, My Computer Icon will appear at desktop, same situation with the other values.

My Computer Window (XP only)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideMyComputerIcons
Control Panel - {21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} is 0

Adding those tweakui functions to WinBubble

Next, Let’s try to create “adding icons function to desktop” using WinBubble (designed for Vista and Windows 7). Open the tool and go to Tools Tab.

Desktop Icons For Windows 7/Vista
Registry Key Path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

Configuration for	Value Name	Value Data	Initial
My Computer Desktop Icon	{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}	0	doesn’t exist
Homegroup Desktop Icon	{B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93}	0	doesn’t exist
User Desktop Icon	{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}	0	doesn’t exist
Control Panel Desktop Icon	{5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}	0	doesn’t exist
Library Folder Icon at Desktop	{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}	0	doesn’t exist
Network Desktop Icon	{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}	0	existing, data value of 1

Write the description or configuration name of the tweaks as shown below and click “Create my Tweaker”.

Just follow all the configuration above (Registry Values for Vista and Windows 7), input that to WinBubble and remember that initially some registry settings doesn’t exist at windows registry that’s why the Unchecked value of the CheckBox is “Delete the Set Value”. The Checked Value corresponds to the Registry Path, Value Name and Value Data, and use the type “DWORD” for all the functions as shown below.

For “Network” Desktop Icon, the initial values are existing - {F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C} value data is 1. Just unchecked “delete the set value” and it will automatically fill-up the values and adjust, as shown below.

That’s it! you have now your own tweaker added to WinBubble – just click-to-check any configuration and “Apply my Tweak”.

Creating TweakUI and WinBubble Tweak functions using RegDevelop for Windows XP/Vista/7

Regdevelop is a rapid application development tool that let’s you create your own tool like tweakui of microsoft. You just need to learn all procedure above and you’ll have an idea about the development tool.

You can try the created program here: Download

For Windows XP, if an error message occur, try to install microsoft .net to fix the problem.

Drag and drop the Picturebox, CheckBox and Label Control to the Form Designer and configure all options in the right portion as shown.

make sure that the Pattern for image file location is the same below (inside the regdevelop folder then tools\[create a folder here] for the images needed). Because there is a bug at some Windows XP installation of .net 2.0, to fix: just follow the file path pattern.

Configuring the checkbox options is very related to WinBubble, you just need to input the Registry Path, Value name, Value Data and it’s Value Type. If the initial configuration of Values are not existing, “DeleteWhenUnchecked” is True and if False, it will automatically fill-up the values same with WinBubble.

Great?! You have now created your own tweakui tool, you can expand by adding more options. Thanks for reading the article!

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How to configure Windows Firewall, Wired and Wireless Network using command prompt

Using Netsh, you'll be able to display and modify the network configuration, either locally or remotely. It also provides command-line alternative capability to modify and add programs and services into Windows firewall. In addition to that, Netsh can save the configuration script for archival, backup and reference purposes.

Let’s focus on these top features of the command-line utility.

NETWORK CONFIGURATION (Windows 7/Vista/XP)

How to see and inspect the current tcp/ip settings using Netsh

Netsh interface ipv4 show config or C:\Windows\system32>netsh netsh>interface netsh interface>ip netsh interface ipv4>show config

Using Netsh to backup the tcp/ip configuration of your computer

netsh interface dump > c:\backup\lanconfig.dat or netsh -c interface dump > c:\backup\networkconfig.txt

The two commands saves the current configuration into a text file

How to Restore your previous network configuration using netsh

cd c:\backup netsh exec lanconfig.dat or netsh -f c:\backup\networkconfig.txt

How to Configure Network Internet Protocol (IP) Addresses using Netsh (look at the arrows of the images above)

Using Static Address

Command Pattern (Syntax)

netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" static ipaddr subnetmask gateway metric

Sample

netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.31 255.255.255.0 192.168.0.1 1

Using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server to obtain the IP address automatically

netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" dhcp

Configuring DNS Server using Netsh (Please see the picture above)

netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.1 Dynamically obtain the ip-address netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" static dhcp

References

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257748

http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/resource-kit/cool-things-to-do-with-netsh

http://www.petri.co.il/configure_tcp_ip_from_cmd.htm

WINDOWS FIREWALL CONFIGURATION

Firewall Services (tested at Windows XP Professional)

Having some problems administering your network application via Windows Firewall, try and study these various commands using Netsh…

FileAndPrint - File and Printer Sharing

remotedesktop - remote desktop and assistance

remoteadmin - remote administration

netsh firewall set service fileandprint enable netsh firewall set service fileandprint disable netsh firewall set service remotedesktop enable netsh firewall set service remotedesktop disable netsh firewall set service remoteadmin enable netsh firewall set service remoteadmin disable

How to add a program-based exception to the firewall

netsh firewall add allowedprogram program="C:\Softwares\sky\Skypetron.exe" name="SKY PETRON" mode=enable netsh firewall add allowedprogram program="C:\Softwares\sky\Skypetron.exe" name="SKY PETRON" mode=disable

How to remove the added program from Windows Firewall listing

netsh firewall delete allowedprogram program="C:\Softwares\sky\Skypetron.exe"

References

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771046(v=ws.10).aspx#bkmk_addallowedprogram

WIRELESS NETWORK (WIFI) CONFIGURATION

Want to connect to a wireless network via command prompt? here’s how… Read here

More on Wireless LAN samples

C:\Windows\system32>netsh wlan show hostednetwork Hosted network settings -----------------------     Mode                   : Allowed     Settings               : <Not configured> Hosted network status ---------------------     Status                 : Not available C:\Windows\system32>netsh wlan show hostednetwork setting=security Hosted network security settings --------------------------------     Authentication         : WPA2-Personal     Cipher                 : CCMP     User security key      : <Not specified> C:\Windows\system32>netsh wlan show interfaces There is 1 interface on the system:     Name                   : Wireless Network Connection     Description            : Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter     GUID                   : 6301e8b5-4429-4504-92e9-e5a4c95bdd46     Physical address       : 00:25:56:4a:84:96     State                  : connected     SSID                   : SM_Free_WiFi     BSSID                  : 00:24:82:0a:ca:59     Network type           : Infrastructure     Radio type             : 802.11g     Authentication         : Open     Cipher                 : None     Connection mode        : Discovery (unsecured)     Channel                : 11     Receive rate (Mbps)    : 54     Transmit rate (Mbps)   : 54     Signal                 : 40%

How to show all visible networks using Netsh

C:\Windows\system32>netsh wlan show networks Interface name : Wireless Network Connection There are 7 networks currently visible. SSID 1 : SM_Free_WiFi     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : Open     Encryption              : None SSID 2 :     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : Open     Encryption              : None SSID 3 :     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA2-Personal     Encryption              : CCMP SSID 4 : PLDTMyDSL-TRIBAL BTQ.     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA-Personal     Encryption              : CCMP SSID 5 : aswats0n5     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA2-Personal     Encryption              : TKIP SSID 6 : Gerrys Grill_WIFI_Access     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA2-Personal     Encryption              : CCMP SSID 7 : ballenas wifi     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA2-Personal     Encryption              : CCMP C:\Windows\system32>

Showing all wifi-networks (mode=bssid)

C:\Windows\system32>netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid Interface name : Wireless Network Connection There are 6 networks currently visible. SSID 1 : SM_Free_WiFi     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : Open     Encryption              : None     BSSID 1                 : 00:24:82:0a:c8:79          Signal             : 14%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 11          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 2                 : 00:24:82:0a:ca:59          Signal             : 40%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 11          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 3                 : 00:24:82:0a:d2:59          Signal             : 28%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 4                 : 00:24:82:0a:c8:b9          Signal             : 83%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 5                 : 00:24:82:0a:ce:39          Signal             : 38%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 6                 : 00:24:82:0a:c8:f9          Signal             : 28%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 7                 : 00:24:82:0a:c8:e9          Signal             : 38%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 8                 : 00:24:82:0a:c6:d9          Signal             : 14%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54 SSID 2 :     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : Open     Encryption              : None     BSSID 1                 : 00:24:82:4a:d2:59          Signal             : 32%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 2                 : 00:24:82:8a:d2:59          Signal             : 24%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 3                 : 00:24:82:4a:c8:b9          Signal             : 80%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 4                 : 00:24:82:8a:c8:b9          Signal             : 80%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 5                 : 00:24:82:4a:ce:39          Signal             : 50%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 6                 : 00:24:82:8a:ce:39          Signal             : 50%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 7                 : 00:24:82:8a:c8:e9          Signal             : 36%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 8                 : 00:24:82:4a:ca:59          Signal             : 38%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 11          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 9                 : 00:24:82:8a:ca:59          Signal             : 36%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 11          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 10                 : 00:24:82:4a:c8:f9          Signal             : 34%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 11                 : 00:24:82:8a:c6:d9          Signal             : 14%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 12                 : 00:24:82:4a:c8:e9          Signal             : 38%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 13                 : 00:24:82:4a:c6:d9          Signal             : 14%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 14                 : 00:24:82:4a:c8:79          Signal             : 6%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 11          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 15                 : 00:24:82:8a:c8:f9          Signal             : 34%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54 SSID 3 :     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA2-Personal     Encryption              : CCMP     BSSID 1                 : 00:24:82:4a:ce:38          Signal             : 22%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 2                 : 00:24:82:4a:c8:b8          Signal             : 81%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 3                 : 00:24:82:4a:ca:58          Signal             : 40%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 11          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 4                 : 00:24:82:4a:d2:58          Signal             : 32%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 5                 : 00:24:82:4a:c8:e8          Signal             : 36%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 6                 : 00:24:82:4a:c6:d8          Signal             : 10%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54     BSSID 7                 : 00:24:82:4a:c8:f8          Signal             : 34%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 1          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54 SSID 4 : PLDTMyDSL-TRIBAL BTQ.     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA-Personal     Encryption              : CCMP     BSSID 1                 : 20:2b:c1:c9:3e:28          Signal             : 16%          Radio type         : 802.11n          Channel            : 9          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54 SSID 5 : aswats0n5     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA2-Personal     Encryption              : TKIP     BSSID 1                 : 00:15:70:ca:27:f0          Signal             : 8%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 11          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54 SSID 6 : Gerrys Grill_WIFI_Access     Network type            : Infrastructure     Authentication          : WPA2-Personal     Encryption              : CCMP     BSSID 1                 : 00:23:69:32:ba:8a          Signal             : 10%          Radio type         : 802.11g          Channel            : 6          Basic rates (Mbps) : 1 2 5.5 11          Other rates (Mbps) : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54

Reference:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755301(v=ws.10).aspx

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