== Windows Tricks == * [[RecoverWindow|Recovering a window that is no longer visible on your monitor]] * [[https://www.thewindowsclub.com/show-file-extensions-in-windows|Configuring Windows Explorer to Show File Extensions]] * [[http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/13784/keep-a-window-on-top-with-a-handy-autohotkey-script/|Keeping a window "always on top"]] * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135|Performing a Clean Boot]] * [[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/clean-install-windows-10/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587|Performing a Clean Install of Windows 10]] * [[http://www.samlogic.net/articles/32-64-bit-windows-folder-x86-syswow64.htm|The 'Program Files (x86)' and 'SysWOW64' folders explained]] * [[msjtes40InstallationError|Error While Registering msjtes40.dll]] === Overcoming Installation Problems === * [[RecoverUninstall|Recovering from an incomplete uninstall]] * [[Windows7FolderPermissions|Setting Folder Permissions in Windows 7]] * [[Windows8FolderPermissions|Setting Folder Permissions in Windows 8]] * [[ComponentNotRegisteredError| Dealing with a "Component Not Registered" error]] * [[https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/selvar/2007/11/10/mdac-install-issues-excellent-overview/|MDAC install issues]] * [[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905288|Correcting problems with the Windows Scripting Host]] * [[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833|Using the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files]] === Configuring the Windows Defender Firewall to Allow DXLab Applications to Access the Internet === * [[ConfigureWindowsDefender|Configuring the Windows Defender Firewall to Allow DXLab Applications to Access the Internet]] === Repairing Broken Windows Desktop Icons] === * [[RepairBrokenWindowsDesktopIcons|Repairing Broken Windows Desktop Icons]] === Changing File Associations === * [[https://www.uvm.edu/~bnelson/computer/vista/changefileassociationsanddefaultprogramsvistawin7.html|in Vista and Windows 7]] * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-default-apps-in-windows-e5d82cad-17d1-c53b-3505-f10a32e1894d|in Windows 10 and Windows 11]] === Managing Serial Ports and USB ports === * [[PreventUSBPortPowerDown| Configuring Windows to not automatically power down USB ports]] * [[ChangeAdaptorCOMPort| Changing the COM port number that Windows assigns to a USB-to-serial-port adaptor]] * [[UpdateUSBSerialAdaptorDeviceDrivers| Updating Device Drivers for USB-to-Serial-Port Adapters]] * [[http://www.itprotoday.com/windows-10/stop-automatic-driver-updates-windows-10| Preventing Windows 10 from updating device drivers]] * [[EliminatePhantomCOMPort| Eliminating Phantom COM ports]] * [[ResetCOMDTRRTS| Resetting a Serial Port's RTS and DTR Signals when Windows Starts]] * [[http://www.taltech.com/support/entry/windows_2000_nt_serial_mice_and_missing_com_port|Disabling Serial Mouse Detection at Boot Time in Windows 7]] * [[https://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-automatic-driver-updates-windows-10|How to disable automatic driver updates on Windows 10]] === Time Synchronization === * [[http://www.satsignal.eu/ntp/setup.html|Configuring NTP]] * [[http://www.pretentiousname.com/timesync/|Configuring Windows to synchronize time more often than once each week]] === Improving Appearance === * [[RecoverWindow|Recovering a window that is no longer visible on your monitor]] * [[PreventReducedResolution|Preventing Windows from reducing the resolution of an application's windows]] * [[http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/13784/keep-a-window-on-top-with-a-handy-autohotkey-script/|Keeping a window "always on top"]] === Improving Performance === * [[Windows10Performance|Configure Windows 10 to avoid performance problems]] * Make sure your anti-malware applications (firewall, anti-virus) applications are considered "safe" * failure to do this can result in long startup delays * see '''Booting Windows into Safe Mode with Networking''' below * Investigating resource utilization: CPU cycles, memory, mass storage, networking * [[https://www.ghacks.net/2017/12/28/a-detailed-windows-resource-monitor-guide/|Using the Windows Resource Monitor]] * [[https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-use-windows-10s-resource-monitor-to-track-memory-usage/|Windows 10]] * [[https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/investigate-memory-usage-with-windows-7-resource-monitor/|Windows 7]] * [[ApplicationInteference|Applications that can Interfere with DXLab applications]] * [[TerminateUnnecessaryApplications|Terminate unnecessary programs and services]] * Defragment your Hard Drive * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17126/windows-7-improve-performance-defragmenting-hard-disk|Window 7]] * [[https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/defragment-hard-drive-windows|Windows 10]] * If the printer selected on DXKeeper's '''QSL Configuration''' window's '''Printer''' tab is not local, make sure the printer is accessible; otherwise, DXKeeper's startup time may be significantly increased. * [[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Using-memory-in-your-storage-device-to-speed-up-your-computer|Using memory in your storage device to speed up your PC running Windows 7]] * [[http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-set-processor-affinity-to-an-application-in-windows|Dedicating a CPU Core to an application]] * [[http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/hard-drives-and-ssds,3.html|Hard Drive and Solid State Disk Performance Charts]] === Using Multiple Monitors === * [[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307873|Setting up multiple monitors on Windows XP]] * [[http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-7/how-to-setup-dual-monitors-in-windows-7|Setting up multiple monitors on Windows 7]] === Booting Windows into Safe Mode with Networking === One way to determine whether applications or services being automatically started by Windows is to boot (restart) Windows into '''Safe Mode with Networking'''. In this mode, only basic device drivers are loaded, and no applications or services are automatically started. Serial ports and USB devices won't be operational, but a DXLab application that starts up promptly in '''Safe Mode with Networking''' but takes much longer to start up when Windows has been booted normally indicates that one of the applications or services by automatically started by Windows is responsible for the behavior. * To boot Windows 2000, NT, Vista, XP, 7, or 8 into '''Safe Mode with Networking''', follow [[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7|these instructions]] * To boot Windows 10 into '''Safe Mode with Networking''', follow [[http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-boot-into-windows-10-safe-mode-on-your-pc-tutorial/|these instructions]] === Controlling Windows and Anti-Malware Updates === Configure Windows and Anti-Malware applications to automatically download updates, but to not automatically install them. When you see that updates are available, direct Windows to create a [[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-is-System-Restore|restore point]]. After installing the updates, verify that your DXLab applications continue to work correctly. If there's a problem and you're using Windows 10, follow these [[https://www.howtogeek.com/235474/how-to-roll-back-builds-and-uninstall-updates-on-windows-10/|instructions]] to revert to the previous version; on other flavors of Windows, revert to the restore point you created. The free [[https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm|InControl]] application enables you to ''take control'', limiting '''Windows Update''' to downloading and installing monthly security updates. When you wish to permit '''Windows Update''' to download and instal a major version and feature update release, you can temporarily ''release control''. Out of the box, '''Windows 10''' cannot be stopped from downloading and installing updates. * [[http://www.pcworld.com/article/3085136/windows/two-ways-to-control-or-stop-windows-10-updates.html|This article]] explains how to use the '''Local Group Policy Editor''' to configure '''Windows 10 Professional''' to download new updates and notify you of their availability, but wait for you to initiate installation * [[http://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninstall-and-block-updates-and-drivers-on-windows-10/|This article]] explains how to remove problematic updates that have already been installed, and how to prevent specific updates from being installed. The '''Show or Hide Updates''' tool mentioned in this article is available from Microsoft via [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930]]. * [[https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/disable-automatic-driver-downloads-on-windows-10| How to Disable Automatic Driver Downloads on Windows 10]] * [[https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninstall-and-block-updates-and-drivers-on-windows-10/|How to Uninstall and Block Updates and Drivers on Windows 10]] * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3073930/how-to-temporarily-prevent-a-driver-update-from-reinstalling-in-window|How to temporarily prevent a driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10]] * [[https://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-automatic-driver-updates-windows-10|How to disable automatic driver updates on Windows 10]] * [[https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/windows-11-updates-getting-in-the-way-take-control-with-these-tips/|How to control Windows 11 updates]] === Viewing Windows Event Logs === * [[CheckingWindowsEventLogs|Checking Windows Event Logs]] === Updating Windows Root Certificates === * [[UpdateWindowsXPRootCertificates|Updating Windows XP Root Certificates]] * Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 automatically update their Root Certificates; no user action is required. === Correcting Damaged Shell Folders Like %AppData% === * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/886549/you-receive-an-error-1606-error-message-when-you-try-to-install-or-rem|in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7]] * [[http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/windows-10-shell-folders-paths-defaults-restore/|in WIndows 10]] === Registering DLL and OCX components === * [[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/troubleshoot/visualstudio/foxpro/register-activex-control-manually|Registering an OCX Component]] * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-use-the-regsvr32-tool-and-troubleshoot-regsvr32-error-messages-a98d960a-7392-e6fe-d90a-3f4e0cb543e5|Registering a DLL component]] === Advanced Tricks === * [[http://weblogs.asp.net/mikedopp/archive/2008/05/16/increasing-user-handle-and-gdi-handle-limits.aspx|Increasing User Handle limits and GDI Handle limits]] * [[MoveWindowsKernelToMemory| Moving the Windows Kernel to Memory]] * Pushing the Limits of Windows (Russinovich) * [[http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2008/07/21/3092070.aspx|Physical Memory]] * [[http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2008/11/17/3155406.aspx|Virtual Memory]] * [[http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2009/03/26/3211216.aspx|Paged and Nonpaged Pool]] * [[http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2009/07/08/3261309.aspx|Processes and Threads]] * [[http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2009/09/29/3283844.aspx|Handles]] * [[http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2010/02/24/3315174.aspx|USER and GDI Objects – Part 1]] * [[http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2010/03/31/3322423.aspx|USER and GDI Objects – Part 2]] ---- [[DXLabDiscussionGroup|Post a question or suggestion on the DXLab Discussion Group]] [[GettingStarted|Getting Started with DXLab]]