We just released the beta for Monad, our new interactive command-line and task-based scripting technology. To get a copy, go to http://download.microsoft.com and search for monad.
Want better reception from your wireless adapter? Try these tips: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesstips.mspx
When setting up a conference call meeting request, make it “Smartphone Friendly”. Use the “tel:” prefix and embed the participant passcode (pp) so that can be dialed by one click from a Smartphone. Tel:425-707-2000pp123456 By the way, p is an acceptable substitute for a pause comma. Add more for longer waits.
We released a utility that helps Manage flash drives. You can copy files to and from flash drives; create backups, configure autorun capabilities, and store wireless configuration settings. See http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=9F0C:598DE for details.
If you use remote desktop, you sometimes need to connect to the console session. Here’s a way through the RDP settings file to do just that. Use ConnectToConsole;i;1 See http://dev.remotenetworktechnology.com/ts/rdpfile.htm for details.
I use notepad too much. To get to it faster, right-click on the Start Menu, go to Explore. Open SendTo at the bottom and create a new shortcut to Notepad. Then, just right-click on any file and send it to Notepad!
I had to rename a server but it would take two weeks to get all the clients to point to the new name. If you go to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters and create a Reg_Multi_SZ called OptionalNames then put the server names in it, your server will respond to multiple names while you are in transition. Restart the Server service for it to work.
Give this 2 minutes of your time. I’m sure you’ll like it. Ever get confused which hard drive you are working in? Well, the Windows Explorer can put different backgrounds on them to help you remember. Just create a file at the root of your drive called desktop.ini and place the following in it:
[ExtShellFolderViews]
{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}={BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}
[{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}]
Attributes=1
IconArea_Image=background.gif
Next, find a washed-out image or create a light color in MSPAINT and put it there called background.gif. (be sure to make the file type a GIF too) Open Windows Explorer and see your creation! It makes me remember that I’m on my external drive instead of my internal one.
Since we are talking about processes, it would be nice to find out which files and dlls are associated with a process. There is a free utility to help. You can even replace the task manager with it. http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
I use the Task Manager regularly. Have you ever tried CTRL + Shift + ESC? Give it a shot. I was looking the other day at some of my processes and wondered what the heck they were for. To find out, visit:
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/
Put the following into Notepad and call it IP.bat. Run it and see what happens. It is case sensitive.
@ipconfig | find "IP Address"
@ipconfig | find "Default Gateway"
@pause
Ever wondered if your Exchange server is configured properly? Well, Microsoft just came out with a Best Practices Analyzer Tool for Exchange 2000 and up. It finds configuration problems. You can download it at:
http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/downloads/2003/exbpa/default.asp
How easy is it to use voting buttons in Outlook? Way too easy is what I just found out. In Outlook 2000 and above, compose a new message. Go to Options, Use Voting Buttons and type in the choices separated by semi-colons. Speaking of Outlook, hit CTRL+2 and see what happens. CTRL 1-6 are all popular.
Get Acrobat Reader to open up faster – Go to your Acrobat\Reader folder and take everything from the "plug_ins" folder and move it into "Optional" except the following: Search.api, Search5.api, IA32.api, EWH32.api, EScript.api. Printing and search will still work, and it will load 75% faster. This is on Reader 6.0.
When you double-click on My Computer, it never shows the folders or Explorer bar. When you right-click on My Computer and Explore, it does. Here’s how to make Explore the default choice. Double-click on My Computer, go to Tools, Folder Options, File Types, and find the file type of FOLDER with extension of (NONE). Click Advanced, Explore, Set Default. To imagine the possibilities, look at Advanced for the .DOC extension and see how to create your own.
