Operating Systems

Create custom wallpaper for your servers

June 19, 2013

I like to set the Windows Desktop to a specific color to easily identify it from other desktops I may have open. This way when I have multiple Remote Desktops running I can quickly see which one I need to click on. At a minimum I usually set the background color of the Desktop. Recently though, I started making custom images that I use as wallpaper that incorporate color idea and adds information to positively identify the server I am working on. […]

Use 7-Zip to install ISO files

May 22, 2013

Challenge: You download an ISO (like Office 2010 from Microsoft) but, cannot install it because your computer doesn’t have a CD-ROM. Solution: Use 7-Zip to extract the contents to a folder and install from there. Note: Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 can mount ISOs to virtual CD drives natively but, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 cannot. However, Microsoft has created a utility to enable this functionality which can be downloaded from here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=38780

Search for a type of file in Windows 7

November 15, 2012

Challenge: You want to find all files of a certain type (like pictures or music) in Windows 7. Solution: Use Windows Search Filters. Search filters are a feature in Windows 7 that make searching for files by their properties (such as by author or by file size) much easier. You can even stack filters to narrow down the results: Additional information: Microsoft

How to copy path AND filename in Windows 7

October 10, 2012

In order to share a file using UNC names you have to join together the file’s name and the file’s location or path. In Windows XP this meant clicking on the file as if to rename it and copy the name then click in the Address bar and paste the name at the end of the path. It is a small inconvenience but, an inconvenience none the less. At first glance it appears this shortcoming was carried over in Windows 7. Hold […]