Go Around The Windows Vista Logon Password - With a Password Reset Disk

Recovering lost passwords is not a problem new to Windows Vista. Sure, in a manner similar to Windows XP, Vista will enable users to create an adjacent password hint that the user can turn to in case of need. But what about a severe case of amnesia. No password hint will point you in the right direction. Fortunately, Windows Vista has a built in mechanism designed to help with password recovery.

First off though, you should know that if the account with the misplaced password is not the administrator, then recovery is not even a problem. The administrator can simply change the password and allow the user access back to the account. This action however is not without its downside. If the administrator performs the said task, then you will not be able to access encrypted files, email messages and personal credentials. This is a trade-off that might be, or might not be worth it, depending on the context and on the information you risk losing.

The Windows Vista password recovery mechanism applies mainly to computers that are not part of a domain. If you have made your way to the User Accounts in Windows Vista via Control Panel then you might have noticed the "Create a password reset disk" option in the top left corner.

From within a Windows Vista account, a user can create a password reset disk. A user only needs to create a single password reset disk and store it in a secure location. The disk is a preemptive measure that is actually independent of the account's password. Users of the disk will be able to reset the account's password.

Vista Energy

Amazing Windows Vista Wallpapers

Check out Hamad Darwish's other wallpapers that were not sold for Microsoft to be included in Windows Vista. He has released two packs, 22 wallpapers total in high resolution 1900 x 1200. These pictures are amazing!

Link:
http://www.hamaddarwish.com/

Kill or Configure Windows Aero

Now those of you that have used the high end editions of Windows Vista, already know that the operating system is a tad slower than Windows XP. Responsible for the slow speeds is in par Windows Aero. Even on configurations that satisfy the systems requirements of Aero, there is a trade-off between the special effects and the actual functionality. In this case, there is also a direct impact on the workflow.

Windows Aero can be turned off by navigating to Personalize via the right-click menu on the desktop and the View Color and Appearance > Open classic appearance properties for more color options. In the menu that pops up, users can select Windows Vista Basic graphical user interface.

Additionally, you can right-click Computer and select Properties and then Advanced System Settings in the left menu followed by Performance Settings. You can set up your Windows Vista system for best appearance versus best performance or even customize the effects you want enabled or disabled.

Unlock the Secret Default Administrator Account

You have to understand the fact that Windows Vista ships with a few default accounts. Microsoft refers to them as built-in accounts. Without a doubt, you have already seen one of them on your own copy of Vista. It is the Guest account. The Guest account is present by default in the User Accounts section of the Control Panel and you only need to activate it.

The same is the case with the default administrator account. If the Guest account is the "Built-in account for guest access to the computer/domain" the Administrator is the "Built-in account for administering the computer/domain." Now the administrator account is not only disabled by default such as the Guest account, but it is also hidden.

In order to enable it and bring it to the surface enter "cmd" in the Search Box integrated in the Start Menu and right-click the Command Prompt icon that will be displayed at the top. Make sure that you launch the process with elevated privileges via the Run as Administrator command. In the Command Prompt windows enter "net user administrator /active:yes" in order to enable the Administrator account. If at any time you change your mind and want to revert to the original settings, then type "net user administrator /active:no" and hit enter. The built-in Administrator account will show up just like all the other accounts when you will log in, but it will have absolute power over Windows Vista and will not be limited by the User Account control.

vLite - Vista Lite

vLite is a tool for customizing the Windows Vista installation before actually installing it.

Windows Vista from Microsoft takes a lot of resources, we all know that. vLite provides you with an easy removal of the unwanted components in order to make Vista run faster and to your liking.

This tool doesn't use any kind of hacking, all files and registry entries are protected as they would be if you install the unedited version only with the changes you select.

It configures the installation directly before the installation, meaning you'll have to remake the ISO and reinstall it. This method is much cleaner, not to mention easier and more logical than doing it after installation on every reinstall.

Main features are:

* hotfix, language pack and driver integration
* component removal
* unattended setup
* tweaks
* split/merge Vista installation CDs
* create ISO and burn bootable CD/DVD

Download Here

TweakVista™ for Microsoft Windows Vista™

Microsoft has increased both the power and complexity of its popular Windows operating system with the release of Windows Vista. The TweakVista™ tweaking utility helps you configure Windows Vista to meet your personal needs by improving performance and customizing system settings.



Unlike other power tools for Windows, TweakVista™ automatically prompts enhancement recommendations, offering easy “one click” updates to otherwise complex configuration changes. TweakVista™ is also safe to use. By utilizing Microsoft’s system-restore technology any changes you make can easily be rolled back. You can freely experiment with different settings without disabling your computer.

Download Trial Here

Wallpaper: Ice

5 Windows Vista Secrets You Don’t Know

Here are some cool Vista tips that you may haven’t seen.

Open Command Prompt Here:

In Vista you can get some extra menus for your properties box just by holding the “Shift” key and right clicking on a

file. As you can see below a command prompt button. Now you can easily open the folders and run, scripts easily without having to type long paths.



To..




Copy As Path:

Another interesting thing that comes when you use the Shift key is the “Copy as Path”
This will copy the entire file path i.e : C:\File.txt. Which you can use to cd to a directory. But when you got already

got the command prompt option? You can guess what I’m telling :)


Bringing Back Start > Run:

In Windows Vista the Run bottom is no where to be seen. All commands like “regedit” “cmd” “msconfig” “calc”

“mspaint” and other apps can be opened by just typing in the command in the search box. But most of us are

accustomed to running this apps via RUN. Well to get it back:

1. Right-click on the Start menu and choose Properties.
2. Select the Start Menu tab and click on the Customize button.
3. Check the “Run command” option.

Your new menu should look like this:

And the run dialog box should look like this:



Another easy option is to use the shortcut, Windows Key + R to bring up the run command.


Disable UAC:

1. From the Start search bar, type “Local Security Policy”
2. Accept the elevation prompt
3. From the snap-in, select Security Settings -> Local Policy -> Security Options
4. Scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find nine different group policy settings for granular configuration of

UAC.

Or you can disable the whole thing in control panel. Just type UAC in the search bar, and that will pop up.


Running Quick Launch Items:

Last but not the least you can quick launch, e.g browser, music players etc by using the Windows key. As you can see below, each application on the quick launch bar can be launched just by using the Windows key and the number its listed in the bar.



Windows Key + 3 = Windows media player

Windows Key + 4 = Internet Explorer

Cool Wallpaper

Click to enlarge. Right click and 'Save Target/Picture As..'