How to add Secure logon for Windows 8

Having Secure logon provides an additional layer of security for your computer and ensuring that authentic Windows logon screen appears. It protects the system from programs (such as a virus or spyware)  that mimic a logon to retrieve the password information.

It is a common security feature of office computers on a domain network which guarantees an authentic login prompt.

It's important to make the feature enabled for security reasons. One way to do this is to enable secure logon, which requires you to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to log on.

How to Activate the security feature Secure Logon in Windows 8 and 7

1. Type netplwiz in the Run window (Win+R) or use “control userpasswords2”
2. Click "Continue" button for UAC prompt and go to Advanced tab.
3. Select the Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete check box. 

That’s it!

 

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Clearing the horizontal stripes in your printer printouts

Experiencing Epson printer problems because of not using the original ink cartridges?

Here’s a quick tip to solve stripes in printer printouts…

You can clear horizontal banding and other related problems by cleaning the print head. You can do this from your computer by using the Head Cleaning software, or from the printer by using the printer's control panel.

• Using the Head Cleaning utility - to start the, click the Maintenance tab in the printer window, then click the Head Cleaning option. 
• Note: Use the software if your print quality declines or the Nozzle Check indicates clogged nozzles.
  
• Using the printer's control panel.

Caution for obtaining new ink cartridge

• The manufacturer (EPSON) recommends the use of genuine ink cartridges. Other products not manufactured by EPSON may cause damage and removes the products warranty.
• Leaving the old cartridge in the printer until you have obtained a replacement. Otherwise, ink remaining in the print head nozzles may dry out.

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(Windows 7) How to make the Power Button Shutdown instead of Sleep

Defining what power buttons do is needed after you bought a new computer. Usually the power button sleeps instead of shutting down. 

We will tackle two different methods to access the power settings. The changes we will make to the settings will be applied to all power plans.

Method 1

Click the  Power Icon and choose “More power options”

Once the power option window opens, at the left pane click “Choose what the power buttons do” option.

For the next window, we can now change the settings for the power button, sleep button and closing of the lid for both On Battery and Plugged In.

 Method 2

For this method, open the command prompt (cmd.exe) and type “powercfg.cpl,0” as shown below:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601] Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C:\Users\hp>powercfg.cpl,1

For the command, the advanced power option window will appear and just scroll down for the “Power buttons and lid” to configure the sleep, lid close and shutdown action.

That’s it!

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(Quick Tip) How to make Hibernation option available and unavailable for Windows 7

Hibernation is a power-saving feature designed primarily for tablets and mini-laptops. Sleep puts your work and settings in the memory, while hibernation puts your current state such as open documents and sotwares to your hard disk, and afterwards turns off your computer.

Of all the power-saving feature in Windows, hibernation uses the least amount of power. Here’s how to make the feature active or inactive.

Enabling the Missing Hibernate option

C:\Windows\system32>powercfg /hibernate on

Disable the Hibernate option

C:\Windows\system32>powercfg /hibernate off

Other definitions

Hybrid sleep is designed for desktop computers and it is the combination of sleep and hibernate — it saves the current state such as any open documents and programs into the memory and to your hard disk, and afterwards saves your computer into a low-power state so that you can quickly resume to your work. Hybrid sleep is by default – turned on for desktop computers.

For the command powercfg.cpl,1 or Advanced Power Option settings

Technical details

Your copy of Windows uses the Hiberfil.sys file to store a copy of the memory into the hard disk when the hybrid sleep setting is turned on. If this file is not present, the computer hibernation is inactive or disabled.

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How to use and access “Switch User” from command prompt

Your creating something on your desktop, mastering dos-like commands from keyboard shortcuts for the new version of Windows.

Here’s a quick tip to access Switch user interface at the Welcome screen without going to your Start Menu.

Method 1:

Win key + L and click “Switch user” button

Method 2:

From command window, type “tsdiscon” as shown below:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601] Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved. C:\Users\hp>tsdiscon.exe C:\Users\hp>

Here’s a useful application of the tip:

Right-Click Menu for Shutdown, Log-off, Sleep and Restarting Windows

 

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(Quick Tip) How to add network programs to Windows Firewall

Having some trouble or problem logging-in to your yahoo messenger, skype or msn messenger?

Allowing a network application to communicate through windows firewall - most of the times is called unblocking, is when you permit a particular software to send information through the firewall.

Here’s how to permit application using netsh:

Allowing a program to the firewall (enable and disable)

netsh firewall add allowedprogram program="C:\Softwares\skypetron\Skype.exe" name="SKY PETRON" mode=enable

netsh firewall add allowedprogram program="C:\Softwares\skypetron\Skype.exe" name="SKY PETRON" mode=disable

Deleting the added program from Windows Firewall listing

netsh firewall delete allowedprogram program="C:\Softwares\skypetron\Skype.exe"

For more information about the utility, Read here: http://unlockforus.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-configure-windows-firewall-wired.html

Allowing a program to communicate using a Graphical User Interface

For Windows XP, press Win+R key to open the Run Window > type “wscui.cpl” > Once Security Center opens, scroll-down and click Windows Firewall > In the Windows Firewall window, click the Exceptions tab, and then click the Add Program button. Finally, you just need to locate the exe file or the application that needs to be allowed. That’s it!

For Windows Vista, Windows 7 and 8, press Win+R key to open the Run Window > type “control /name Microsoft.WindowsFirewall” > Once Windows Firewall opens, at the left pane, locate “Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall” > Click the “Change Settings” Button and scroll down for “Allow another program” and locate the executable application that needs to be unblocked.

Overall, A firewall is a program that checks all the information coming from the network. It blocks and permits software programs, depending on your firewall settings.

Keep on reading!

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