Windows - Tips and Tricks

Discussion in 'Windows' started by nimesh, Jun 28, 2009.

  1. nimesh

    nimesh New Member

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    Introduction



    Here I will highlight some tips/tricks about windows, which might be known to some and not to some. :)

    I will post this as I've it on my blog. Using the What/Why/How approach :happy:

    Cannot create a folder with name as CON, PRN...



    What - Why can’t I create a folder in Windows with the following names CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, LPT1, LPT2, COM1, COM2....???

    If I create using windows, it again renames it to New Folder.
    If I create using command prompt, it gives the error: The directory name is invalid.

    Some people who doesn't know about this say that this is a bug in windows and even Microsoft is unable to solve it :lol:

    Why - You aren't allowed to create a folder with names that are the same as the ones that have been used for various devices on a PC since DOS era.
    In DOS, "CON" refers to "Console", "PRN" refers to "Printer" and LPT1, LPT2, COM1, COM2 refers to different communication ports.

    How - There happens to be a workaround for this.
    To create a folder named "CON" in Windows, open Command Prompt and type the following:
    mkdir \\.\D:\CON (This will create a folder named CON in the D drive)
    You may be able to view the folder using Windows Explorer, but you will not be able delete it or Copy/Paste files into it.
    But yes, you can create new files in it.
    To delete this folder, type the following code in command prompt. rmdir \\.\D:\CON

    Alternate keyboard shortcuts for Windows Security functions



    What - Alternate keyboard shortcuts for Windows Security functions (Ctrl + Alt + Del)

    How - 1] Lock Computer
    What do you normally do to lock the running windows session?
    Press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del, and then select "Lock Computer" (Note: This only works when the computer is in domain)
    In Windows XP, you can do the same thing, just by pressing the key combination: (win key)+ L

    How - 2] Task Manager
    You can execute Task Manager by either of the following options:
    1) Press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del, and then select ‘Task Manager’ (Note: This only works when the computer is in domain)
    2) Right Click on Taskbar and select ‘Task Manager’
    3) Press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc

    Shortcut to Windows Explorer



    What - How do I create a shortcut to a folder, which opens in “Windows Explorer” (not in My Computer)?

    How - Right Click in the blank area on the desktop (or inside any other folder if you want), Click on New -> Shortcut and then paste any of the below line in the following window, press Next and give any desired name to the shortcut.

    Note: Replace the text in Red with your folder path

    1] %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,folder_path
    e.g. %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,d:\data
    This opens the folder “data” in Windows Explorer.

    2] %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select,folder_path
    e.g. %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select,d:\data
    This opens d: in Windows Explorer and selects the folder “data”

    3] %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
    This opens “My Documents” in Windows Explorer

    4] %SystemRoot%\explorer.scf
    This opens c: in Windows Explorer.
     
  2. shabbir

    shabbir Administrator Staff Member

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  3. nimesh

    nimesh New Member

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    Thanks Shabbir
     
  4. shabbir

    shabbir Administrator Staff Member

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  5. satyedra pal

    satyedra pal New Member

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    Keyboards shortcut tips

    win+BREAK For system properties dialog box.

    win+D For show the Desktop.

    win+M For Minimize all window.

    win+Shift+M For Restore mimize window.

    win+E For Open my computer.

    win+U For open Utility manager.
     

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