If you’re a student, or able to prove that you’re a student, it’s time to rejoice, as Microsoft is giving away for free various software program primarily from category of software developer and design tools. The offer, called Microsoft DreamSpark, is a long term promotion, currently provides free licenses, product keys and downloads of to the following list of full version Microsoft products with no charge, fee or payment required.
* Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, which consists of JScript 8.0, Visual Basic 2008, Visual C# 2008 and Visual C++ 2008.
* Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition, which has additional Microsoft Visual J++/Microsoft Visual J# and Visual SourceSafe.
* Microsoft Expression Studio
* Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
* Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
* XNA Game Studio 2.0
* Free access to XNA Creators Club Online
The DreamSpark giveaway software can only be downloaded by student, and each registrants must verified via Online Student Status Verification process that he or she is and still is a student of a accredited school, college, university or higher tertiary institutions during initial access and once a year subsequently. Currently, only students from 11 countries and regions, i.e. the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium can download setup files for free from DreamSpark, but more countries will be added in future, with Microsoft plans to extend the availability to all countries all over the world.
Online Student Status Verification process of DreamSpark is linked to schools and organizations around the world that can confirm student status, but not all is linked. Those who not locating in one of the countries listed, not attending an accredited university or the studied organizations is not already connected with DreamSpark will have to wait until the verification source is listed, or get an alternate student identity providers (IDPs), such as the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
Bill Gates also has an interview with Channel 8, where he talks about free software, students, and technology.
Microsoft has always offered significantly discounted and cheaper student price for most of its products, and the move to completely free giveaway its development and design tools is probably due to motive to maintain and gain its market share and acceptance among younger and future generation, which will hopefully always consider Microsoft products on future purchase due to familiarity.
Go to DreamSpark to select and download free Microsoft products. As usual with all Microsoft offers, Windows Live ID required in addition student status verification.
Update for Windows Vista (KB937287) is a prerequisite update package before users able to install Service Pack 1. Update package 937287 contains updates to the Windows Vista installation software, the component that handles the installation and the removal of software updates, language packs, optional Windows features, and service packs. Update 937287 is necessary to successfully install and to remove Windows Vista SP1 and selected future updates on all versions of Windows Vista, and may be required before selected future updates can be installed.
However, some users have reported that the KB937287 cannot be installed properly on both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista (x86 and x64) system. The problem symptoms can be that the KB 937287 update claims to be successfully installed after installation process, but it keeps reappearing in Windows Update, which keeps asking users repetitively to install this update. Or the KB937287 can be simply failed to install repetitively again and again, even after restart and full shut down.
Microsoft has “>acknowledged the problem involving KB937287, but doesn’t have any solution yet. For those who face the problem of cannot install KB937287, try to download the standalone setup package for KB937287 from Microsoft Download Center and install the update manually.
Download Update for Windows Vista (KB937287) (Windows6.0-KB937287-x86.msu)
Download Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB937287) (Windows6.0-KB937287-x64.msu)
Note that after installing KB937287, it cannot be removed or uninstalled.
Update for Windows Vista (KB937287) is a prerequisite update package before users able to install Service Pack 1. Update package 937287 contains updates to the Windows Vista installation software, the component that handles the installation and the removal of software updates, language packs, optional Windows features, and service packs. Update 937287 is necessary to successfully install and to remove Windows Vista SP1 and selected future updates on all versions of Windows Vista, and may be required before selected future updates can be installed.
However, some users have reported that the KB937287 cannot be installed properly on both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista (x86 and x64) system. The problem symptoms can be that the KB 937287 update claims to be successfully installed after installation process, but it keeps reappearing in Windows Update, which keeps asking users repetitively to install this update. Or the KB937287 can be simply failed to install repetitively again and again, even after restart and full shut down.
Microsoft has “>acknowledged the problem involving KB937287, but doesn’t have any solution yet. For those who face the problem of cannot install KB937287, try to download the standalone setup package for KB937287 from Microsoft Download Center and install the update manually.
Download Update for Windows Vista (KB937287) (Windows6.0-KB937287-x86.msu)
Download Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB937287) (Windows6.0-KB937287-x64.msu)
Note that after installing KB937287, it cannot be removed or uninstalled.
The leader in intrusion prevention and security risk management, McAfee has recently announced findings from Mobile Security Report 2008, which polled more than 2,000 consumers from Japan, UK and US.
According to the McAfee Mobile Security Report 2008:
* 86% of users are worried about security risks posed to their mobile handset such as fraudulent bill increases or information loss or theft
* Over a third (34%) of global mobile users question the general safety of mobile devices and services
* At least 79% of consumers are knowingly using unprotected devices, with an additional 15% unsure of security levels
* More than half of subscribers (59%) expect mobile operators to take primary responsibility for protecting mobile devices and services
“Concerns about specific mobile security risks or the loss of credibility in the reliability of services is a crucial issue for operators, particularly in mature markets. Yet, this research clearly highlights that consumer fears are growing in tandem with increased mobile functionality, jeopardizing the success of new revenue-generating services and increased operator ARPU,” said Patrick Hayati, Regional Director McAfee Middle East. “Retaining consumer confidence will prove critical in ensuring life value and listening to the end user is becoming ever more important in creating innovative and intuitive services which subscribers will want, and trust, to use and are prepared to pay for.”
More than one year after Windows Vista been officially launched and released, everybody including me is probably assuming that most of the program incompatibility issues have been addressed and solved. And any issues or problems should be addressed by the first service pack for Vista - SP1. Alas, installing Vista SP1 is now reported to be able to cause some programs to stop working, no longer runs and loss of functionality.
Microsoft publishes a whole (but guaranteed to be not yet comprehensive) list of programs that have been reported to experience a loss of functionality when they are installed on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer in KB935796 knowledge based article. And users affected are requested to visit manufacturers’ websites or contact the developers for solutions and workarounds. Luckily, newer supported versions of software is available for most of the apps listed.
Here’s the list of software programs that have problems on Windows Vista SP1.
Programs that are blocked from starting after you install Windows Vista SP1
BitDefender AV or Internet Security version 10
Fujitsu Shock Sensor version 2.1.0.0
Jiangmin KV Antivirus version 10
Jiangmin KV Antivirus version 2008
Trend Micro Internet Security version 2008
Zone Alarm Security Suite version 7.1
Programs that do not run after you install Windows Vista SP1
Iron Speed Designer version 5.0.1
Free Allegiance version 2.1
Programs that have a loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1
NYT (New York Times) Reader version 1
Rising Personal Firewall version 2007
Novell ZCM Agent version 10.01
For more information, visit KB935796.
When users select or click on an optical drive (including CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW or DVD RW) on Windows Vista, the drive tray will auto eject or open, and pop up an “Insert disc” dialog box to ask for a CD or DVD media to be placed into the drive.
Vista Optical Drive Insert Disc
This is a new convenient feature added in Vista, in addition of the previous operating system supported soft-eject option, where users right click on the icon or drive letter of an CD/DVD optical drive and then select “Eject” from the right click context menu does still work.
However, not all optical drive supports auto eject function and capability. If your optical drive doesn’t automatically open and eject when selected, check if it fulfills the characteristics and requirements for the automatic opening and ejecting of disk drive tray in Vista. Here’s the secret about auto eject feature in Vista:
* The automatic ejecting of CD or DVD drive tray works only in Vista system. It is not included as part of Windows XP.
* Only DVD RW drive will auto eject and open when clicked on its icon. DVD-ROM drive won’t has the effect.
* The automatic ejecting will only happen if there is no disc been inserted. If there is already a CD or DVD disc inside the optical drive, double click on the drive will get Vista will auto play the disc to run or play its content, and not eject it.
* If the disc inside the optical drive is a normal data CD/DVD without autorun.inf which instructs Vista to autoplay, selecting the drive will open Windows Explorer in the optical drive’s folder and lists its files and folders.
Thus, Vista will only open your CD-RW and DVD RW drive automatically if there is no disc been inserted yet.
When adding a new hard disk or create a new partition in Microsoft Windows operating system, typically users will normally assign a drive letter such as Local Disk (E:) to the new partition or volume. Beside normal way of allocating a drive letter, it’s also possible to assign a folder or directory (on partitions formated as NTFS) to represent the hard disk drive, partition or volume too, eliminating eliminating the use of drive letter and enabling browsing the volume and partition contents as in folder, or path.
Mounting a partition or drive as a folder also provides a workaround way or trick to allow a partition to appear as part of C:\ root system drive. This hack is particular useful to expand the hard disk space size of C:\ or other system drive without having to use a new disk drive letter or switching drive to accommodate older program or application that must store and save data on installed drive, typically at system drive.
To mount partition or volume as a folder, users must first have or create a empty folder on a NTFS formatted file system that users want to assign or associate with the partition or volume. And it’s also possible to mount a partition, a volume or a hard disk drive which already assigned with a disk drive letter as folder too, allowing two ways to access the volume or partition via different drive or different folder. And it’s not necessary that only a hard disk (which whole hard disk been allocated as single partition) can be mounted as an empty NTFS folder, unused partition or empty space on existing disk can be mounted as NTFS folder too as long as users can create a new partition on it.
How to Mount a New Volume/Partition as Folder
1. Click on Start Menu, then select Run. In Vista, press Win+R key to open Run command.
2. Type DiskMgmt.msc to open Disk Management.
3. Right click on the new hard disk or remaining unallocated space, and then select New Partition or New Simple Volume (in Vista). If the partition has been created, delete the partition and re-create it.
Create New Simple Volume
For partition that has been allocated with drive letter and path, right click on the partition and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
Change Drive Letter and Paths
4. In the “New Simple Volume Wizard” or “New Partition Wizard”, follow the instructions on screen such as selecting the size of the new partition, until the the Assign Drive Letter or Path screen.
For existing volume/partition, click on Add button to add a new path instead.
5. Select Mount in the following empty NTFS folder radio button, and then select Browse… button.
For existing volume/partition, the “Mount in the following empty NTFS folder” is automatically selected. Users cannot assign more than one drive letter to a partition, but can assign many paths (folders) to a partition.
6. Select an empty folder that you want to mount this new partition. Click on New Folder to create a new directory if needed. Once selected the mounting folder, click OK button.
Mount Partition as Folder
7. For existing partition already with drive letter, process is completed and users can now open Windows Explorer to browse the partition content in the mounted folder.
Else, back in the wizard, continue to follow instructions on screen to complete the wizard by selecting file system, allocation unit size, volume label, decide whether to perform quick format or whether to enable file and folder compression. Wait for the disk formatting to complete too. After process completed, a folder is linked to the partition/volume.
Folder mounted with partition
As mentioned, users can assigned many folder path to a single volume or partition. Users can also remove the relationship of folder mount point with volume at any time, or change back to a drive letter. Even already mounted on a folder path, a drive letter can still be assigned to the partition too. All these administrative operations can be done on the Disk Management. Best of all, changing drive letter or folder paths of a volume will not delete the data on the drive.
When the world is using Novell NetWare network operating system (NOS), the NetWare File System keeps track and make copies of each and every deleted, altered, edited or modified files and documents as long as there is space on the hard drive, and allows users to salvage any files and folders that they accidentally deleted or modified. Windows Server NT and Active Directory networking doesn’t provide such a convenient feature though.
Instead, Microsoft introduces Shadow Copies for Shared Folders in Windows Server 2003, which works only on file server, and Previous Versions in Windows Vista, which enables on standalone computer as well. Volume Shadow Copy or Volume Snapshot Service (VSS) automatically created incremental (only differences are recorded) periodic snapshots or backup copies of files and folders at a specific point in time at regular interval.
However, Shadow Copy or Previous Versions only backs up at specific interval, and not capturing any changed files immediately. Thus if a document is changed several times between two snapshots, only the final change version will be saved, and users can’t revert, retrieve, get back or recover the versions of file in between. However, at least Shadow Copy works, and it’s better than no protection at all. But, most Windows operating system doesn’t actually has Shadow Copies or Previous Versions feature, especially when running as standalone system. All Windows operating system prior to Vista - XP, 2000, NT, Me, 9x, and Vista Home Premium, Home Basic and Starter editions does not support any user data files recovery option other than Recycle Bin.
To allow all users of Windows to have the protection against accidental deletion or modification of files and documents, Mogware develops FileHamster as an alternative to Previous Versions. FileHamster, a realtime file revision solution tracking tool, provides real-time backup and archiving of files while users such as typists and artists are working on them. FileHamster watches and monitors specific files or folders that have been selected and automatically create incremental backups whenever those files are modified. FileHamster also supports storing notes about changes that have been made, so users can easily find a specific revision, annotate the version, and has detailed account of changes been made.
FileHamster
Download FileHamster.
FileHamster is free for basic version. FileHamster supports Windows 2000, XP and Vista, and requires Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. There is a paid version FileHamster Plus which costs $19.95 and adds features such as filters, offline libraries, full UNC support and etc. FileHamster Plus can be purchased here.
When the world is using Novell NetWare network operating system (NOS), the NetWare File System keeps track and make copies of each and every deleted, altered, edited or modified files and documents as long as there is space on the hard drive, and allows users to salvage any files and folders that they accidentally deleted or modified. Windows Server NT and Active Directory networking doesn’t provide such a convenient feature though.
Instead, Microsoft introduces Shadow Copies for Shared Folders in Windows Server 2003, which works only on file server, and Previous Versions in Windows Vista, which enables on standalone computer as well. Volume Shadow Copy or Volume Snapshot Service (VSS) automatically created incremental (only differences are recorded) periodic snapshots or backup copies of files and folders at a specific point in time at regular interval.
However, Shadow Copy or Previous Versions only backs up at specific interval, and not capturing any changed files immediately. Thus if a document is changed several times between two snapshots, only the final change version will be saved, and users can’t revert, retrieve, get back or recover the versions of file in between. However, at least Shadow Copy works, and it’s better than no protection at all. But, most Windows operating system doesn’t actually has Shadow Copies or Previous Versions feature, especially when running as standalone system. All Windows operating system prior to Vista - XP, 2000, NT, Me, 9x, and Vista Home Premium, Home Basic and Starter editions does not support any user data files recovery option other than Recycle Bin.
To allow all users of Windows to have the protection against accidental deletion or modification of files and documents, Mogware develops FileHamster as an alternative to Previous Versions. FileHamster, a realtime file revision solution tracking tool, provides real-time backup and archiving of files while users such as typists and artists are working on them. FileHamster watches and monitors specific files or folders that have been selected and automatically create incremental backups whenever those files are modified. FileHamster also supports storing notes about changes that have been made, so users can easily find a specific revision, annotate the version, and has detailed account of changes been made.
FileHamster
Download FileHamster.
FileHamster is free for basic version. FileHamster supports Windows 2000, XP and Vista, and requires Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. There is a paid version FileHamster Plus which costs $19.95 and adds features such as filters, offline libraries, full UNC support and etc. FileHamster Plus can be purchased here.
After a lot of noise made by subscribers and customers of MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) and TechNet, Microsoft has decided to bring forward the schedule for release of the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows Vista SP1 for these IT professionals and developers, who pay hundreds of dollars annually just to have exclusive access to libraries of Microsoft software products.
The original schedule placed the availability of SP1 RTM on early March, which is too late for many, as Vista SP1 has been finalized and supposed to go live on February 4th. On February 14 Valentine’s Day, the RTM versions of Vista SP1 has finally been posted on MSDN and TechNet Plus, ahead of general availability which still unchanged on March.
TechNet Plus subscribers can now access Windows Vista SP1 in the Top Subscribers Download section on the subscriptions home page (http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions), while MSDN subscribers can also access Windows Vista SP1 via the subscriber Top Downloads area at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/subscriptions.
Windows Vista SP1 Downloads from Technet Plus and MSDN
The versions of Vista SP1 setup packages that currently available are:
* Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86, x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
* Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
* Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x64) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
To use the Top Downloads , users need to install the Akamai Technologies Download Manager Browser add-on to access these files and will need to allow pop-ups (at least temporarily). The files are on the Top Downloads rather than Subscriber Downloads & Product Keys to load balance the with the download activity related to Windows Server 2008.
Previously, Microsoft had released the first Vista service pack to Connect testers, which has an odd filename of Windows6.0-KB936330-X86(x64)-wave0.exe. The slipstreamed and integrated full install of Vista with SP1 will be available for download prior to the end of the month too, while the general availability of the Windows Vista SP1 to the public will still in mid-March via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center.
Microsoft has disclosed further information and clarification on the availability of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) through Windows Update (WU) in an email to TechNet subscribers. It further confirms that SP1 RC Refresh2 (RCR2) is indeed RTM version of SP1, and hints that probably English version of Vista can now get SP1 via Windows Update without any registry hack code, once the system is installed with all prerequisite updates.
1. Before March 2008, only system installed with original Windows Vista media or image can get and download SP1 via Windows Update (WU).
2. Beginning March, Vista SP1 for English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese editions will be added to WU.
3. The Vista SP1 editions for remaining languages will be made available via WU gradually beginning April.
4. Currently the 543M size files downloaded from WU by using registry hack script which has the build version of 6.0.6001.18000.080118-1840 is the SP1 RTM with all languages, but the current download will still be called SP1 RC Refresh 2.
5. Currently, except by installing Vista using official slipstreamed SP1 integrated Vista, any other methods of installing SP1 will not change or alter the version of End User License Agreement (EULA).
Thus, whether a Vista PC can now been offered the service pack is not depending on whether the system is a Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate edition, instead, the service pack availability will only based on language of Vista.
According to the statement above, Windows Vista users who use English version installed with retail channel DVD, MSDN or Technet download can probably now download Service Pack 1 for Vista from Windows Update without any hack, provided all two or three prerequisite hotfix packages KB937287, KB938371 and KB935509 (which WU offers first sequentially before SP1 is shown when using registry hack) are installed. Good news is Microsoft has distributing these SP1 prerequisites thru WU.
If you don’t manage to get WU to offer you Vista SP1, add the SP1 RCR2 registry keys now to hack WU to detect and offer your system SP1.
Volume Shadown Copy (VSS or Shadow Copy for Shared Folders prior to Vista) or more commonly known as Previous Versions which used as the name for right click context menu command and for one of the tab for files and folders properties, is a useful feature that automatically or manually backup copies or snapshots of files or folders on a specific volume or drive at a specific point in time incrementally so that users can quickly and easily restore or recover (or go back to) the older versions of files or folders in future when needed. When will you need to use Previous Versions? On time such as accidental file deletion or modification of documents and files.
Unfortunately, Microsoft decides to support Previous Versions feature only in the Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista. Windows Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions are left out in the cold, probably to encourage sales and upgrade to Ultimate edition. However, the baffling point is that the Shadow Copy Service (VSS, also known as Volume Snapshot Service) is actually included in Vista Home Premium and Basic, up and running by default. The Shadow Copy Service is used by both Previous Versions feature and Vista’s backup utility, System Restore, which enabled in all editions of Vista.
The worst part is, although Previous Versions feature in not enabled in Vista Home Premium and Basic, but the snapshot backup of Shadow Copy actually includes all files including user data files, which is not necessary for System Restore function. This behavior eats up plenty of hard disk space and system resources, yet users cannot access the backups of these user data files in the event they need it most.
It looks like Microsoft simply remove the graphical user interface (GUI) of Previous Versions that allows users to recover restore lost or changed or altered files in Vista Home Basic and Premium editions, with all other background process running intact. This arrangement of saving and keeping backups of user files but hide the user backups probably is to ‘please’ users who decide to upgrade to Vista Ultimate edition using Windows Anytime Upgrade, where changes to older versions of user data files prior to upgrade can still be found. It can be also that programmers of Vista too lazy to ‘fine tune’ VSS to exclude users data files from backup.
Thus, to access the Previous Versions or Shadow Copy backup of user data files, users have the option to upgrade to Vista Ultimate, which is expensive. In this case, ShadowExplorer can come in handy.
Side note: From security point of view, it’s best to turn off Shadow Copy (include both System Restore or Previous Versions) if you’re not actually using it, especially in Vista Home Premium and Basic, since you’re not aware that copies of files have been saved as backup, nor can see, view, use, access, remove or delete them without advanced technical skill.
ShadowExplorer takes advantage of the Vista Volume Shadow Copy service and the backup snapshot copies that created by it to allow users to browse the shadow copies. ShadowExplorer can access the shadow storage, which often off-limit to novice users due to complex permissions and rights issues, and make the point-in-time copies accessible to the users. Thus, ShadowExplorer is especially useful for Vista Home Basic and Premium users who do not have Previous Versions feature, but need to recover or get back earlier version of accidentally edited documents, or retrieve lost deleted files. Shadow Explorer can retrieve all versions of files and folders saved by VSS.
Download ShadowExplorer-0.1-setup.exe. Future upgrade can be found here.
Unfortunately, users will need to run ShadowExplorer as administrator to access Shadow Copies and recover old files. It’s a little inconvenient than the contextual based Previous Versions built in Vista Ultimate, Business and Enterprise. But it’s better than no access and no hope at all.
Volume Shadown Copy (VSS or Shadow Copy for Shared Folders prior to Vista) or more commonly known as Previous Versions which used as the name for right click context menu command and for one of the tab for files and folders properties, is a useful feature that automatically or manually backup copies or snapshots of files or folders on a specific volume or drive at a specific point in time incrementally so that users can quickly and easily restore or recover (or go back to) the older versions of files or folders in future when needed. When will you need to use Previous Versions? On time such as accidental file deletion or modification of documents and files.
Unfortunately, Microsoft decides to support Previous Versions feature only in the Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista. Windows Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions are left out in the cold, probably to encourage sales and upgrade to Ultimate edition. However, the baffling point is that the Shadow Copy Service (VSS, also known as Volume Snapshot Service) is actually included in Vista Home Premium and Basic, up and running by default. The Shadow Copy Service is used by both Previous Versions feature and Vista’s backup utility, System Restore, which enabled in all editions of Vista.
The worst part is, although Previous Versions feature in not enabled in Vista Home Premium and Basic, but the snapshot backup of Shadow Copy actually includes all files including user data files, which is not necessary for System Restore function. This behavior eats up plenty of hard disk space and system resources, yet users cannot access the backups of these user data files in the event they need it most.
It looks like Microsoft simply remove the graphical user interface (GUI) of Previous Versions that allows users to recover restore lost or changed or altered files in Vista Home Basic and Premium editions, with all other background process running intact. This arrangement of saving and keeping backups of user files but hide the user backups probably is to ‘please’ users who decide to upgrade to Vista Ultimate edition using Windows Anytime Upgrade, where changes to older versions of user data files prior to upgrade can still be found. It can be also that programmers of Vista too lazy to ‘fine tune’ VSS to exclude users data files from backup.
Thus, to access the Previous Versions or Shadow Copy backup of user data files, users have the option to upgrade to Vista Ultimate, which is expensive. In this case, ShadowExplorer can come in handy.
Side note: From security point of view, it’s best to turn off Shadow Copy (include both System Restore or Previous Versions) if you’re not actually using it, especially in Vista Home Premium and Basic, since you’re not aware that copies of files have been saved as backup, nor can see, view, use, access, remove or delete them without advanced technical skill.
ShadowExplorer takes advantage of the Vista Volume Shadow Copy service and the backup snapshot copies that created by it to allow users to browse the shadow copies. ShadowExplorer can access the shadow storage, which often off-limit to novice users due to complex permissions and rights issues, and make the point-in-time copies accessible to the users. Thus, ShadowExplorer is especially useful for Vista Home Basic and Premium users who do not have Previous Versions feature, but need to recover or get back earlier version of accidentally edited documents, or retrieve lost deleted files. Shadow Explorer can retrieve all versions of files and folders saved by VSS.
Download ShadowExplorer-0.1-setup.exe. Future upgrade can be found here.
Unfortunately, users will need to run ShadowExplorer as administrator to access Shadow Copies and recover old files. It’s a little inconvenient than the contextual based Previous Versions built in Vista Ultimate, Business and Enterprise. But it’s better than no access and no hope at all.
Volume Shadow Copies (VSS or also known as Volume Snapshot Services) is the technology used to perform snapshot and backup of system files and user data files at a specific time at regular interval. The incremental backup or snapshot by Shadow Copy is then used by System Restore or Previous Versions feature in Windows to restore Windows to previous state or recover deleted or altered files and folders.
When enabled and running properly, Shadow Copy service will backup almost everything on the drives. And Shadow Copy, which commonly known as System Restore accessible by System Protection in Vista System Properties is turned on by default on system drive. Thus, various System Restore Points created will save copies system and user data files incrementally in Shadow Copy repositories.
The existence of backup copies of files and folders in another location in VSS repositories may bring several issues. Firstly, for users who don’t use Previous Versions or System Restore features, or those (users of Home Premium and Home Basic editions of Vista) who can’t access shadow copies of user data files, keeping these files is wasting disk space. Secondly, Shadow Copies may potentially leak trace and record of sensitive and private files or documents.
The first issue can be solved by disabling the Shadow Copy (or commonly known as System Restore). And for users who just want to keep some private confidential data out of the reach of been monitored and backed up can exclude files from Shadow Copies. MSDN Library describes how to using registry key to exclude files from Shadow Copies by deleting the selected files from shadow copy during creation.
Using the FilesNotToSnapshot Registry Key to Exclude Files from Shadow Copy
Files can be deleted from a shadow copy during shadow copy creation by using the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToSnapshot
This registry key has REG_MULTI_SZ (multi string) values for each application whose files can be excluded. The files are specified by fully qualified paths, which can contain the * wildcard. If a fully qualified cannot be specified, then a path can also be implied by using the $UserProfile$ or $AllVolumes$ variable. For example:
* UserProfile$\Directory\Subdirectory\FileName.*
* $AllVolumes$\TemporaryFiles\*.*
To make the path recursive, append ” /s” to the end. For example:
* $UserProfile$\Directory\Subdirectory\FileName.* /s
* $AllVolumes$\TemporaryFiles\*.* /s
In all cases, the entry is ignored if there are no files that match the path string. Note that the exclusion (or rather the deletion of the files from the Shadow Copy repository during creation by the shadow copy optimization writer) of the files been added to the appropriate registry key value, is on a best-effort basis.
Volume Shadow Copies (VSS or also known as Volume Snapshot Services) is the technology used to perform snapshot and backup of system files and user data files at a specific time at regular interval. The incremental backup or snapshot by Shadow Copy is then used by System Restore or Previous Versions feature in Windows to restore Windows to previous state or recover deleted or altered files and folders.
When enabled and running properly, Shadow Copy service will backup almost everything on the drives. And Shadow Copy, which commonly known as System Restore accessible by System Protection in Vista System Properties is turned on by default on system drive. Thus, various System Restore Points created will save copies system and user data files incrementally in Shadow Copy repositories.
The existence of backup copies of files and folders in another location in VSS repositories may bring several issues. Firstly, for users who don’t use Previous Versions or System Restore features, or those (users of Home Premium and Home Basic editions of Vista) who can’t access shadow copies of user data files, keeping these files is wasting disk space. Secondly, Shadow Copies may potentially leak trace and record of sensitive and private files or documents.
The first issue can be solved by disabling the Shadow Copy (or commonly known as System Restore). And for users who just want to keep some private confidential data out of the reach of been monitored and backed up can exclude files from Shadow Copies. MSDN Library describes how to using registry key to exclude files from Shadow Copies by deleting the selected files from shadow copy during creation.
Using the FilesNotToSnapshot Registry Key to Exclude Files from Shadow Copy
Files can be deleted from a shadow copy during shadow copy creation by using the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToSnapshot
This registry key has REG_MULTI_SZ (multi string) values for each application whose files can be excluded. The files are specified by fully qualified paths, which can contain the * wildcard. If a fully qualified cannot be specified, then a path can also be implied by using the $UserProfile$ or $AllVolumes$ variable. For example:
* UserProfile$\Directory\Subdirectory\FileName.*
* $AllVolumes$\TemporaryFiles\*.*
To make the path recursive, append ” /s” to the end. For example:
* $UserProfile$\Directory\Subdirectory\FileName.* /s
* $AllVolumes$\TemporaryFiles\*.* /s
In all cases, the entry is ignored if there are no files that match the path string. Note that the exclusion (or rather the deletion of the files from the Shadow Copy repository during creation by the shadow copy optimization writer) of the files been added to the appropriate registry key value, is on a best-effort basis.
WinGuggle is a small application that can retrienve and get Windows Vista Product Key (also known as CD-Key) easily from the registry. Normally you won’t need WinGuggle, unless you have dislocate or misplace your original Windows Vista DVD disc or its licensed product key, and need to recover and view the product key from the installed Vista for backup.
WinGuggle
Other than getting Windows Vista product key back from registry, WinGuggle also can change OEM logo and OEM information, and also Windows Experience Index score in Performance Information and Tools.
Note that OEM manufacturer’s factory installed product key (normally comes with Vista system that is already pre-activated) cannot be used to fresh or clean install Vista. In this case, your personal Vista product key is located on the COA sticker attached on the computer, and using WinGuggle to view OEM product key is useless.
WinGuggle does not require installation. To run WinGuggle, just unpack the archive and execute and application.
http://winguggle.wikidot.com/local--files/download/WinGuggle.zip
WinGuggle is a small application that can retrienve and get Windows Vista Product Key (also known as CD-Key) easily from the registry. Normally you won’t need WinGuggle, unless you have dislocate or misplace your original Windows Vista DVD disc or its licensed product key, and need to recover and view the product key from the installed Vista for backup.
WinGuggle
Other than getting Windows Vista product key back from registry, WinGuggle also can change OEM logo and OEM information, and also Windows Experience Index score in Performance Information and Tools.
Note that OEM manufacturer’s factory installed product key (normally comes with Vista system that is already pre-activated) cannot be used to fresh or clean install Vista. In this case, your personal Vista product key is located on the COA sticker attached on the computer, and using WinGuggle to view OEM product key is useless.
WinGuggle does not require installation. To run WinGuggle, just unpack the archive and execute and application.
http://winguggle.wikidot.com/local--files/download/WinGuggle.zip
CrackTcpip.sys is a driver based patcher for Windows Vista tcpip.sys to increase the limit the concurrent half-open TCP/IP connection attempt the operating system can make. CrackTcpip.sys does not modify original tcpip.sys in any way. It’s a memory-resident driver program that constantly monitor a memory location that stores the value of the limit, and change the default value to a higher number (255) on the fly.
Download CrackTcpipv744.zip.
This version of CrackTcpip.sys works and supports Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh v.744 (build version 6001.17128) and Refresh 2 (build version 6001.18000). SP1 version 6001.18000 is also widely believed to be the final version build number for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RTM release too, thus if there is no change to tcpip.sys on SP1 RTM when it’s officially released, the CrackTcpip.sys will be able to work on Vista SP1 RTM too.
For more information, installation steps, uninstallation instructions and user guide, visit the original page.
Windows Flip 3D and Windows Flip is a new way to switch and jump between opened windows in 3D dimensional or informative view, minimizing the error while selecting target window. Beside, the Flip 3D mode is also a stunning visual view. To activate or trigger Windows Flip 3D or Windows Flip mode, other than using Window Switcher button in Quick Launch bar or pressing “Win+Tab” keyboard shortcut, it’s also possible to add a Windows Flip 3D option to right click contextual menu using trick below.
Run Registry Editor (RegEdit.exe), and then navigate to the following registry branch:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\
ContextMenuHandlers\ContextMenuHandlers
Right click on ContextMenuHandlers registry key, and select New, then click on Key. Name the new registry key as Window Switcher.
High the new “Window Switcher” key, then double click on (Default) value name in the right pane. Set the value data for the “(Default)” as {3080F90E-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}, then click “OK” and exit Registry Editor.
Alternatively, to make the task easier, simply download the WindowSwitcher.reg registration file, and run it to merge and add the value into system registry.
Window Switcher in Right Click Menu
From now on, whenever users right click on desktop, a new menu item “Window Switcher” will be shown, directly bring users to Windows Flip 3D or illustrated with thumbnails task switching (if Aero is not enabled) when clicked.
Windows Flip 3D and Windows Flip is a new way to switch and jump between opened windows in 3D dimensional or informative view, minimizing the error while selecting target window. Beside, the Flip 3D mode is also a stunning visual view. To activate or trigger Windows Flip 3D or Windows Flip mode, other than using Window Switcher button in Quick Launch bar or pressing “Win+Tab” keyboard shortcut, it’s also possible to add a Windows Flip 3D option to right click contextual menu using trick below.
Run Registry Editor (RegEdit.exe), and then navigate to the following registry branch:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\
ContextMenuHandlers\ContextMenuHandlers
Right click on ContextMenuHandlers registry key, and select New, then click on Key. Name the new registry key as Window Switcher.
High the new “Window Switcher” key, then double click on (Default) value name in the right pane. Set the value data for the “(Default)” as {3080F90E-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}, then click “OK” and exit Registry Editor.
Alternatively, to make the task easier, simply download the WindowSwitcher.reg registration file, and run it to merge and add the value into system registry.
Window Switcher in Right Click Menu
From now on, whenever users right click on desktop, a new menu item “Window Switcher” will be shown, directly bring users to Windows Flip 3D or illustrated with thumbnails task switching (if Aero is not enabled) when clicked.