Repair Missing Or Corrupted Windows System Files Using the System File Checker Tool

It has been awhile since I posted any Microsoft Windows software tools or tips so here is a MS utility program. Most laboratory instruments operate under MS Windows software control and you will be able to keep things running smoothly if you take the time to learn and use many of the available utility programs. 

• Note: Before using any software utility program, make sure you first have permission and authorization to do so. Back up your system programs and any data files. Create a Restore Point to protect the basic settings too. Take precautions before using any utility programs and do so at your own risk.

In addition to the very useful "Restore Point" feature found in Windows (discussed in an earlier post, which is great for solving a number of issues), Microsoft has another time-saving utility tool built into most versions of Windows (i.e. XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10). The Windows System File Checker (simply known as, SFC) offers users the option to scan their Windows operating system files for corruptions AND restore any found corrupted files, all automatically! Running the utility is very easy. First, make sure your account has Administrator privileges, then use the Run Command prompt to run the program SFC 'As Administrator' *Type:  sfc /scannow 

More information about this useful utility can be found on Microsoft's website support page.

More Windows 7 and XP Tips and Tricks

Transfer Windows Account Settings Utility: 
If you are setting up a new PC or just want to transfer your Windows settings from one computer to another, you may want to take advantage of a Microsoft utility called, "Windows Easy Transfer". It works with both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and 8 and is available in any easy to use utility file. It does not transfer applications. The utility primarily transfers user account data files, folders, photos, music, videos, documents, email messages and contacts plus registry information.

You can download the correct version of the utility from Microsoft's website at this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

Manually Create a Restore Point (a "backup" point):

To preserve the function of your computer consider manually creating a restore point in the operating system software each time you make an important change or start to install a new program. If something goes wrong during or after the installation process you can restore the computer to a point in time BEFORE you installed the program, which often results in repairing the system. By default, the system automatically creates system restore points, but it does not do so at convenient times (e.g. right before you install new software or make changes to the system). Creating a Restore point is easy. Here are the steps to do so using XP or Windows 7.0
 

 XP 

•   Click on: Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore
•   Click on, "Create a Restore Point".

  7.0

•   Click on: Start/Control Panel/System/System Protection/Create Restore Point

Improve User Login Security by Replacing the Welcome Screen with the User & Password Login Screen:

 7.0  

• By default, Microsoft Windows 7 and 8 default to the Windows "Welcome" screen which allows you to click on various User account icons and enter your password to log on. This feature shows all available user accounts to anyone looking at the monitor. Options exist to hide specific user accounts from the Welcome screen, but a better option is to have Windows start with the User Name/ Password Login screen instead. To switch to the Login screen greeting, run 'Regedit' and modify the policy field as follows (Note: Always back up your registry files and create a new restore point before making any changes to them).
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\POLICIES\SYSTEM . Click on dontdisplaylastusername and modify the key to a value of 1 (to require both the User name and password at login). *Switch the value back to '0' to restore the Welcome screen once again.

Windows 7 Shortcuts & Tips

Here are some of My Favorite Helpful Shortcuts/Tips For Use With Microsoft Windows 7.0 

  Do you miss the 'Quick Launch Bar' ? The bar is absent in Windows 7, but it can be put back.

1.   Use your mouse to right click on the Windows taskbar and then choose Toolbars; New Toolbar.
2.   The system will ask you for the path of the new folder. Type:   %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
3.   Select 'folder'. A new link to the quick launch bar will be added to your current task bar. 

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  Are you using a laptop and want to know how the power is being used ? There is a built-in application which will create a file containing a power efficiency report for you.

1. From the command line type ("Folder" is the name you supply where you want the report to go): powercfg -energy -output \Folder\Energy_Report.html

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  Would you like to minimize all of the running application windows in one shot instead of minimizing them one at a time ? Windows 7 has a feature for this called " shake". The window that you are currently using will stay active and the rest will be minimized. Here is how to use it.

1. Click and hold the title bar of the current active window you want to stay on-top. 
2. While holding it with the mouse, shake the item back and forth until all of the other windows are minimized. 
3. Once they are, let go of the mouse button. 
4. Shake the title bar once again to bring them all back.