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Taskbar thumbnail preview in Windows Vista is a great new feature that allows you to quickly see a window without having to fully open it from the taskbar. Instead, you can just hover  your mouse over the taskbar item and a small preview window will be displayed.

I have been asked many times  if it is possible customize the size of the preview thumbnails. Many...

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Stanimir Stoyanov has create a very useful application that automates customizing the appearance of the Windows Vista sidebar. If you change you skin your visual style and want your sidebar to match or just do not like the default black gradation look, Windows Sidebar Styler makes it very easy to change the look.

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The results of the Windows Experience Index are stored in an XML file that you can modify to spoof your score. Who wants to show off a 2.1 system? Let’s make that a 9.9 powerhouse.

  1. Navigate to C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore.
  2. Open up the most recent file in that folder. On Windows 8, edit the newest "Formal.Assessment" file. Make sure that your account...
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Do you need to run a Java application and hate how every time you run it the Aero Glass interface reverts to the non-glass look? This is caused by the way the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) communicates with the display adapter. In short, it does not want to share the 3D surface the desktop is painted on so Windows has to revert to the old method of painting the desktop and turn of Aero Glass.

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Are you having hardware issues with Windows Vista? Almost all Windows Vista issues such as blue screen and random reboots are caused by third-party driver problems.  Microsoft signs device drivers that they test and certify that the driver meet certain quality levels.  Using Microsoft certified drivers greatly reduces your chances of having driver related issues. However, often applications will... Read More


Mounting a CD image is a basic feature of almost every operating system package except for Microsoft Windows. Microsoft has never shipped this feature in any version of Windows including Windows Vista.  Mounting a CD image is very useful when you have downloaded a .ISO cd image and you do not want to waste the time or the media to burn a copy. Since Windows Vista does not have this functionality... Read More


In the June 2007 issue of Microsoft's TechNet magazine Michael Murgolo has a great article about how to elevate commands in scripting using a free PowerToy called elevate.

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Microangelo, the famous icon tool company, has released an updated version of their On Display application that allows users to easily change and replace the default system icons in Windows. With Microangelo On Display you can:

  • Customize Windows icons quickly and easily. Just right-click on the icon and select "Appearance" from the popup menu.  One elegant dialog allows you to change icons just...
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Stardock has released an updated version of LogonStudio that allows you to easily change the logon screen in Windows Vista. Eventually everyone will get bored looking at the same logon image every day. LogonStudio will allow you to change it with just a few clicks.

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With the release of Windows Vista comes a surprising change to the way the upgrade version works.

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