Questions tagged [windows-vista]

Windows Vista is the operating system released in January 2007, as a successor to Windows XP. It was intended for PCs, workstations and laptops, and shares the same code base as its successor, Windows 7. As a result, questions and answers asked of Windows Vista are mostly interchangeable with those of Windows 7. Differences are mostly minor, such as file menus and the wording of dialogs.

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How does Windows decide which DNS Server to use when resolving names?

What algorithm does Windows use to decide which DNS Server it will query in order to resolve names? Let's say I have several interfaces, all active, some with no dns server specified, some told to ...
Artefacto's user avatar
  • 1,065
66 votes
9 answers
97k views

What's the best way to move c:\users to d:\users under vista/W7 [closed]

I just installed Windows 7 RC1 and want to move c:\users to d:\users. What's the best way to do this? Due to the fact that Windows 7 creates a reserved partition that is mounted as C: in the ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 1,072
35 votes
4 answers
79k views

Stop PostgreSQL from starting on Windows?

I have a local postgresql database for development purposes that I dont want to start up every time Windows does - how do I stop it from starting!
user avatar
32 votes
9 answers
200k views

How can I map a SFTP to a Drive, natively in Windows [closed]

Today I saw that Vista and Win7 (which I am using) have the option to map ftp natively, according to this article: http://cybernetnews.com/cybernotes-map-a-ftp-to-a-drive-in-windows/ But I need to ...
Igor B.'s user avatar
  • 385
24 votes
8 answers
633k views

How to format as FAT32 from Windows 7/Vista

What is the best way to format a USB drive with FAT32 (for Mac compatibility) from within Windows 7/Vista? I ask because the Disk Management only lets you pick exFAT (because the disk is over 32&...
Schneider's user avatar
  • 848
17 votes
11 answers
182k views

How to remotely see what users are logged into Windows 7 or Vista

I need to login to a remote Win7 or Vista computer but when I connect I get a Logon Message "Another user is currently logged on..." but it does not specify who. I have a domain username with admin ...
Ziplin's user avatar
  • 485
16 votes
4 answers
25k views

Is it safe to delete files in C:\Windows\Installer?

"C:\Windows\Installer" folder found on Windows Vista is taking around 1 GB of space. Can I safely delete it? Cheers
SZayat's user avatar
  • 653
16 votes
5 answers
22k views

How do I change the default location for a users home directory in Vista?

I would like to move the default location of my c:\Users\USERNAME to another drive. What is the easiest way to do this and how? I know that I can move each of my "Special Folders" like Documents, ...
duckworth's user avatar
  • 700
16 votes
13 answers
100k views

Network Printers Offline (but not really)

I have two Ricoh printers/copiers setup for IP printing in the office. Before this week there were no problems printing to them. Now a handful of them (All running Vista, not sure if it is every Vista ...
notandy's user avatar
  • 564
13 votes
5 answers
13k views

Rename files to empty filename in Windows (Vista)

Vista allows files with empty "first name" (for example, ".svn"). However, when I try to remove the filename of an existing file, leaving the prefix, in Explorer or using cmd's 'rename', I fail. How ...
ripper234's user avatar
  • 6,020
12 votes
8 answers
14k views

How to remove 'Administrator:' from the command promt title

In Windows Vista, is there a way to remove the word 'Administrator:' from the title of a command prompt window? The 'title' command just updates the part after 'Administrator:', so that will not do.
eli's user avatar
  • 223
11 votes
4 answers
10k views

VNC from Windows to Mac freezing constantly [closed]

I'm trying to VNC into an OSX 10.4.11 box from Vista using RealVNC and TightVNC. I can connect successfully, but after a minute or so my VNC window freezes completely, while on the Mac the ...
Darko's user avatar
  • 213
10 votes
5 answers
23k views

Access Denied When Editing MSMQ Messsage Queuing Properties

I'm trying to adjust Message Queuing properties (specifically, message storage limits) via Computer Management on my machine. It fails with the following message: The properties of cannot be set. ...
Adam Holmberg's user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
5k views

How do you diagnose a Windows PC that hangs on shutdown?

I have a Vista x64 PC that hangs intermittantly at shutdown (on the blue shutdown screen). Sometimes it shuts down normally; sometimes it sits on the shutdown screen forever. Unfortunately I don't ...
stusmith's user avatar
  • 201
9 votes
2 answers
32k views

Archived and queued Windows Error Reporting

Just ran Disk Cleanup on a computer here (Windows Vista), and saw 3 items in the list I haven't seen before: Per user archived Windows Error Repo... | 402 MB System archived WIndows Error Repor... | ...
Svish's user avatar
  • 7,217
9 votes
4 answers
16k views

How do I purge or empty Windows Explorer's network username and sharename cache?

While troubleshooting a Samba vs Windows Network issue, I noticed that Windows' Explorer remembers login credentials of remote shares, even if you ask it not to. For instance, after accessing a share ...
Abel's user avatar
  • 1,047
9 votes
8 answers
9k views

Stop external USB keyboard repeating key presses on Vista

We have an infuriating problem with a (Vista/Dell) laptop. When an external (Logitech) USB keyboard is attached to it, it regularly starts repeating key presses. When the user recently deleted an ...
dommer's user avatar
  • 378
8 votes
8 answers
27k views

Cannot start IIS - how do I find what is running on port 80?

This is on a Windows Vista machine running IIS 7. Trying to start Default Web Site, but it says: "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process? If I change binding ...
epitka's user avatar
  • 93
8 votes
7 answers
19k views

How can I force the 32-bit version of the remote desktop client to run on 64 bit Vista?

Normally it is quite easy to run the 32 bit version of a windows application from the command line, e.g. run window: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Notepad.exe You can tell that the process is 32-bit by ...
John Sibly's user avatar
8 votes
7 answers
10k views

Windows: what is the difference between DEP always on and DEP opt-out with no exceptions?

What is the difference between DEP always on ("/NoExecute=AlwaysOn" in boot.ini) and DEP opt-out ( "/NoExecute=OptOut" in boot.ini) with no exceptions? "no exceptions" = empty list of programs for ...
Peter Mortensen's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
70k views

Restrict user from saving on their Desktop, My Documents, My Music, My Videos, My Pictures etc. via GPO

I want to accomplish the following task: A user must not have rights to save on their Desktop, My Documents, My Music, My Videos, My Pictures, etc. I have already prevented and hidden all drives via ...
Param's user avatar
  • 1,357
8 votes
1 answer
350 views

Matching Serial to OS Edition

Is there a way to determine from a serial Key which build/version it belongs to? The previous admin provided a list of keys, but no indication of what OS they are for. Specifically Win Vista and Win ...
Atron Seige's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
878 views

What does tracert make NETBIOS work on Win7?

This is really strange - I have a workaround for this (read on), but I'd love to know why it works. I had a VPN setup working fine with a WinServer2003 server and a Vista client. Then I setup a new ...
nerdfever.com's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
5k views

Preventing applications flashing in my taskbar - is this possible?

I'd like to prevent / restrict the amount of times an applications flashes in my task bar. For example, messenger chat windows. If I ignore them, they keep flashing. Ideally, what I'd like to do is ...
Rob White's user avatar
  • 463
7 votes
2 answers
565 views

Vista Power Management GPO

I've created a loopback GPO that has several settings (both computer and user) including a Custom User Interface (Access 2007 Application) and Power Management (has the computer sleep after being idle ...
user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
6k views

Free software to monitor serial port communication [closed]

I'm looking for the Wireshark of Serial Port monitoring. I'd prefer free/open-source software, but am willing to look at commercial solutions if the price is reasonable. It needs to be compatible ...
TimothyP's user avatar
  • 299
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

VNC on Vista

I'm using UltraVNC on my Vista machine, and it's giving me very poor performance, even over a 300 mbs network. It seems to be doing screen polling. I looked, and it doesn't look like the video hook ...
Sam Schutte's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
327 views

MS Office shortcuts in start menu don't work on Vista

In Vista (Business), the shortcuts that are automatically added to the start menu (for recently run programs) don't work for MS Office programs. You click on them and nothing happens. Has anyone seen ...
user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
676 views

How important is UAC for developers?

Our small team of developers primarily uses Windows Vista. There has been some debate about the importance of Vista UAC (User Account Control). How important is UAC for experienced users, ...
Jon St. John's user avatar
5 votes
14 answers
425 views

Would you recommend Windows Vista? [closed]

Windows Vista in generally considered not much of a success by microsft and I've heard many computer support shops recommend against it. The typical opinion is to stick with XP then upgrade to 7 but I ...
Tim Matthews's user avatar
5 votes
9 answers
831 views

Remote Desktop Security

I currently run Remote Desktop on my home computer (Vista Ultimate). It is always on so I can access things from my home computer when I am not there. I have a linksys firewall and use port forwarding ...
Shaun Bowe's user avatar
5 votes
10 answers
17k views

finding user's documents folder in .bat script

What is the best way to find a user's Documents folder on XP and Vista from a batch script? Is it safe to assume that it's %USERPROFILE%\Documents?
lajos's user avatar
  • 1,345
5 votes
13 answers
4k views

How to copy a large file effectively?

I am copying a small number of large files between a Vista x64 SP1 workstation and a Windows 7 RC workstation. Windows says it will take 7 hours to copy 117GB of data from one computer to another over ...
Richard Slater's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
76k views

How do I determine which network adapter my computer is using?

I just put in a new network adapter card into my laptop and would like to know if it is being used. How can I tell? I'm running Vista.
Even Mien's user avatar
  • 657
5 votes
5 answers
189 views

How long should we wait before deploying Vista / Server2008 SP2

Now that Microsoft have released Vista & Server 2008 SP2 (see Lifehacker). How long should I wait before installing it on: Stand alone machines PCs on the domain Windows servers "Critical" ...
Jon Rhoades's user avatar
  • 5,017
5 votes
3 answers
382 views

On Windows Vista, is there a way to allow an application to always run with elevated permissions?

Here is the scenario, I have an application that requires elevated permissions to run on my Windows Vista based HTPC, but I don't want to disable UAC because the computer is always connected to the ...
anonymous's user avatar
  • 267
5 votes
3 answers
518 views

Good/free tool or way to backup drivers

What is good free tool to backup all currently installed hardware drivers, or is there manual way to do it too? Also, simple way to restore backed up collection of drivers to fresh reinstalled system, ...
Andrija's user avatar
  • 579
5 votes
5 answers
5k views

RAM disk for Vista 64-bit

I have a workstation with 8GB RAM running Vista 64-bit. I'd like to try running some small server VMs in a virtual RAM disk to see how much performance improves. I haven't made a RAM disk since my ...
Joseph's user avatar
  • 3,807
5 votes
8 answers
4k views

Cisco VPN Client on Vista - Virtual Adapter

I have used the Cisco VPN client for years, and on XP it is pretty much rock solid, on Vista, not so much. You might be able to connect, but unless you set up a constant ping to something, it usually ...
ScaleOvenStove's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
4k views

How do I get my Apache virtual hosts working?

I'm trying to set up virtual hosts for local development and can't seem to get it working. I have this in my httpd.conf: NameVirtualHost * <VirtualHost *> ServerName localhost DocumentRoot ...
e100's user avatar
  • 233
5 votes
2 answers
15k views

How can I script schtasks so it doesn't need a password?

I'm trying to install some software using a batch script and using schtasks to start a service every day at midnight. The script works fine, but it prompts for a password, which causes the script to ...
samoz's user avatar
  • 2,043
5 votes
1 answer
232 views

HP z800 running Vista loses NVIDIA display settings after Windows Update

Not sure if this is a SuperUser question or not... I'm approaching from the administrator's perspective. One of my users is on an HP z800 workstation running a financial trading application. This ...
ewwhite's user avatar
  • 198k
5 votes
1 answer
6k views

Virtual PC (XPMode) - Setting up Loopback Adapter for guest to talk to host

I have Windows XP running inside Windows 7 via Virtual PC (XPMode). Now I want the IE6 browser inside the virtual XP guest instance to be able to talk to the IIS webserver running in the host OS (...
Sunday Ironfoot's user avatar
4 votes
5 answers
2k views

Windows Vista activation in VMWare

Our QA team requires Vista VMs for testing (installers, features, performance general compatibility, etc.). Physical PCs with Vista installed don't cut it since they make it difficult to roll back to ...
sh-beta's user avatar
  • 6,858
4 votes
2 answers
351 views

WMF 4.0 & DSC on Vista? Any chance?

I am currently evaluating the Microsoft PowerShell Desired State Configuration feature. Unfortunately, my company is still running more then 5000+ Vista clients (and W2003 servers), which seems like ...
Matthias Güntert's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
8k views

Install a program from the network

In Windows there is a place under the Control Panel called Get Programs and Install a program from the network (in Win 7 at least), possibly a slightly different name in Vista, but it was there too. ...
Gomibushi's user avatar
  • 1,313
4 votes
4 answers
2k views

How useful is ReadyBoost on W7 (or Vista)

As a cheap (and temporary, if I can convince the powers that be to buy more RAM), solution to speed up some development laptops, is it worthwhile using ReadyBoost with a few spare SD cards? I'm ...
lagerdalek's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
545 views

Windows Vista profile gotchas?

We have a large network using a standard XP centrally managed configuration. We have a small number of users who need a 64 bit desktop OS for memory reasons. If we give them Windows Vista machines is ...
Nick Fortescue's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why does connecting to Snow Leopard from Vista using VNC hang every 5 mins or so?

There was a post discussing VNC hanging when connecting to OS X a few months back, but it was OS X 10.4, so I thought I'd see if someone has experience with our problem. We're trying to remotely ...
dommer's user avatar
  • 378
4 votes
3 answers
3k views

Windows disk imaging for backup with auto scheduling

I am after a way to automatically schedule a disk image backup of Windows Vistas x64 systems. Required features Ability to run on nightly schedule with no user involvement (so this takes out things ...
Ryan's user avatar
  • 428

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