1. In my windows Task Manager / Registry Editor / Tools -> Folder Options has been disabled. I'm getting warning message that "It has been disabled by Administrator". How can I enable it again?
That's a very common problem for Windows users. Many times when you try to open Task Manager, you find that "Task Manager" option has been grayed out:
Also when you try to run it by typing "taskmgr" in RUN dialog box, Windows shows following error message:
Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator.
There might be 2 possible reasons behind this problem:
- Your system administrator applied the restriction using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.
- Your system has been infected with virus and it has disabled the Task Manager.
If you are already the Administrator of the system, then your system is most probably infected. You should follow the instructions given in following topic first:
Now if your system in not infected or you have successfully removed the virus, then you can follow these simple steps to enable Task Manager again:
1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box or Startmenu Search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor. If Registry editor is also disabled, then follow instructions given in following tutorial:
2. Now go to following keys one by one:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
HKEY_USERS\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
and look for a DWORD value "DisableTaskMgr" in right-side pane. If you find it, delete it.
3. That's it. Now Task Manager will be enabled.
PS: If you are not familiar with editing the registry, then you can use ready-made registry script to do the task automatically. Download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the extracted .REG file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it:
If any other Windows component like RUN, Desktop Properties, System Properties, etc has been disabled, then you can check following link:
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2. Whenever I double-click on any drive/folder in My Computer, a Search window opens.
Sol: Open regedit and goto following keys one by one:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
In right-side pane, delete the "Default" key. If it doesnt work then delete the key "find" under both.
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3. Whenever I double-click on any drive in My Computer, "Open with" dialog box opens OR I get following error message:
Cannot find copy.exe. Make sure you have typed the name correctly and then try again.
Sol: Enable "Show hidden files" option in "Tools -> Folder Options" and then search for "Autorun.inf" file in all drives and if you get them in root of any drive (e.g. in C:\, D:\ and so on), delete them.
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4. Whenever I double-click on any folder in My Computer, it opens in a new window even I have selected the option "Always open folders in same window" in "Tools -> Folder Options".
Sol: Download following zip file, extract it and then run .REG file and confirm the action:
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5. Whenever I open a folder, another folder with the same name is created under it.
Sol: Your system is infected by a variant of Indonesian virus called Brontok/Rontokbro. It creates a sub-folder in a folder with same name. Most of the times it comes from mobile memory cards. Scan with a good anti-virus and remove the virus. Also download HijackThis and scan your system with it in Safe Mode, then fix following entries:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SSVICHOSST.exe
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe SSVICHOSST.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo Messengger] C:\WINDOWS\system32\SSVICHOSST.exe
O7 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\System, DisableRegedit=1
You can also post the log file content here and we'll tell you which entries should be fixed.
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6. Whenever I start my computer, My Documents/My Computer opens automatically at windows startup.
Sol: Open regedit and goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
In right-side pane, change value of "Userinit" to:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,
NOTE: If you have windows installed in other drives, then change C:\ to that drive label.
Now goto:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Advanced
In right-side pane, change value of "PersistBrowsers" to 0
Now log off windows and it should solve the problem.
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7. When I start my computer, I get error message:
NTLDR is missing
or
Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR
Sol: Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at prompt:
copy x:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy x:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
copy x:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
Where "x" is your CD drive, change it acc. to your system.
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8. When I start my computer, I get error message:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.
Sol: Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at prompt:
Attrib -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
Del C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild
Fixboot
Del C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild
Fixboot
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9. When I start my computer, I get error message:
"Windows\System32\config\system" file missing or corrupt.
Sol: Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at prompt:
copy %windir%\Repair\system %windir%\System32\Config
If it doesnt work, then again boot into "Recovery Console" and give following commands:
fixmbr
bootcfg /scan
bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot
bootcfg /scan
bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot
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10. I have Windows 2000/XP/2003 installed in my system and yesterday I installed Windows 98 over it, after that I'm not able to boot into Windows 2000/XP.2003. I'm not getting option to select the OS.
Sol: Windows 98 has overwritten the boot loader. Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at prompt:
fixmbr
bootcfg /scan
bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot
bootcfg /scan
bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot
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11. When I start my system, I'm getting 2 entries for windows XP in the boot loader. How can I remove the duplicate entry?
OR
How can I change the default OS in windows boot loader?
OR
How can I change the entry labels in windows boot loader?
OR
How can I change the boot loader time? Its set to 30 seconds and I want to change it.
Sol: There are several way. You can follow any of following:
A. Type "sysdm.cpl" in RUN dialog box and press <Enter>. Now goto "Advanced" tab and click on "Settings" button in "Startup & Recovery" section. Now click on "Edit" button and then you can edit the boot loader time, labels, etc.
B. Type "msconfig" in RUN dialog box and goto "Boot.ini" tab and then you can change the desired thing. If you want to remove the corrupt/non-working entries, then click on "Check all boot paths" button.
C. Enable "Show hidden files/folders" and disable "Hide protected system files" options in "Tools -> Folder Options". Now open C:\ drive and remove the READ-ONLY attribute of "BOOT.INI" file from its Properties. Now open this file and then you can make your desired changes.
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12. Whenever I start my computer, Scandisk starts running even I proper shut down the PC last time.
Sol: Do as following:
A. Open regedit and goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
In right-side pane, change the value of BootExecute to:
autocheck autochk *
B. If the above trick doesnt help then give following commands in Command Prompt:
chkntfs /x drive_name
for e.g., if ScanDisk runs automatically for C: and D: drives, then give following commands one by one:
chkntfs /x C:
chkntfs /x D:
chkntfs /x D:
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13. When I start my computer, I get following error message:
CMOS checksum error, defaults loaded.
Sol: Open your computer cabinet and look for a coin-sized battery attached in motherboard. Remove it and attach a new one. The new battery will cost approx. 15-20 Rs.
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14. I forgot my system BIOS password. How can I reset it?
BIOS passwords are used to add some extra security to computers. You can either set a password to prevent access to BIOS settings or to prevent PC from booting.
But sometimes this extra security might become a pain when you forget the BIOS password or someone changes your system BIOS password intentionally.
But there is no need to worry. There are many known ways to reset / remove / bypass the password:
- By removing the CMOS battery
- By using the motherboard jumper
- By using MS DOS command
- By using software
- By using Backdoor BIOS password
Now I'll try to explain each method one by one:
A. By Removing the CMOS Battery:
Almost all motherboards use a small coin sized CMOS battery to store all BIOS settings along with the password. To reset the password, unplug the PC, open the cabinet and remove the CMOS battery for approx. 15-30 minutes and then put it back. It'll reset all BIOS settings as well as the password and you'll need to re-enter all settings.
If it fails, then try to remove the battery for at least one hour.
B. By Using the Motherboard Jumper:
Almost all motherboards contain a jumper that can clear all CMOS settings along with the BIOS password. The location of this jumper varies depending upon the motherboard brand. You should read your motherboard manual to check its location. If you don't have the manual then look for the jumpers near the CMOS battery. Most of the manufacturer label the jumper as CLR, CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, etc.
When you find the jumper, look carefully. There will be 3 pins and the jumper will be joining the center pin to either left or right pin. What you need to do, is remove the jumper and join the center pin to the opposite pin. e.g. if the jumper joins center pin to left pin, then remove it and join center pin to right pin. Now wait for a few seconds and then again remove the jumper and join the center pin to left pin.
Make sure to turn the PC off before opening the cabinet and resetting the jumper.
C. By Using MS DOS Command:
This method works only if you have access to the system when its turned on because this method requires MS DOS. Open Command Prompt from Programs menu and provide following commands one bye one:
debug
o 70 2E
o 71 FF
quit
NOTE: The first character in the above commands is "O" and not the number 0.
After providing the above commands, restart your system and it should reset the CMOS Settings along with the BIOS password.
If you are curious to know how it works? then let me explain the above commands:
In this method we are using the Debug tool of MS DOS. The "O" character present at first in these commands, outputs the values to IO ports. The number 70 and 71 are port numbers which are used to access CMOS memory. By providing FF value we are telling CMOS that there is an invalid checksum and it resets the CMOS settings as well as BIOS password.
D. By Using Software:
There are a few software which can also reset CMOS settings or BIOS password or both within a few clicks. But as stated above you should have access to a system which is turned on and should have access to MS DOS or MS Windows:
E. By Using Backdoor BIOS Password:
Some BIOS manufacturer put a backdoor password in BIOS which always works irrespective of what password you have set in BIOS. Its a master password which is used for testing and troubleshooting purposes.
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15. I re-installed my windows and now "Stand By" option is greyed out in shutdown dialog box and I can't use it.
Sol: Install VGA drivers from your motherboard CD and the option will be enabled. If you don't have the motherboard CD, then goto the manufacturer site and download the required drivers.
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16. My Windows Login Screen has changed to "Classic Logon Box". I want the new Welcome Screen back.
Sol: Type "control userpasswords" in RUN dialog box or Open "User Accounts" in Control Panel. Then click on "Change the way Users log on and off". Now check the option "Use Welcome Screen". If you get following error:
Uninstall client services for netware.
Then Open "Network Connections" and open Properties of your Internet Connection. Now goto "Networking" tab and select "Client services on Netware" option and click on the"Uninstall" button.
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17. A strange process "ctfmon.exe" always runs in background and if I click on "End Process" button, it restarts automatically.
Sol: Open Control Panel and goto Add/Remove Programs list. Now click on the Microsoft Office entry and then click on "Change" button. Now select "Add/Remove Features" and click on "Next". Now expand "Office Shared Features" and click on "Alternative User Input" and then select "Not Available" and finally click on Update. It'll permanently remove that ctfmon.exe and your problem will be solved.
You can also use 3rd party utility "CTFMON-Remover" to get rid of ctfmon.exe easily and quickly:
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18. I just noticed that all my Firefox Bookmarks have gone. The bookmarks list is empty. How can I get them back?
Sol: Type "%appdata%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles" in RUN dialog box and then open the "xxxx.default" folder (where xxxx will be random numbers and characters). Now open "bookmarkbackups" folder and you'll get your bookmarks there. Now you can import them in Firefox again.
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19. My Windows is showing some wrong icons of files. How can I reset the corrupted icons?
Sol: You can use any of following methods:
A. Download TweakUI from here and then click on "Repair Icons" in "Repair" section.
B. Open My Computer and goto:
C:\Documents and Settings\User_Name\Local Settings\Application Data
Replace C:\ with your system drive and "user_Name" with your username.
Now there'll be a HIDDEN file "iconcache.db", delete it and restart your system.
Now there'll be a HIDDEN file "iconcache.db", delete it and restart your system.
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20. I'm using Windows XP and the desktop icons suddenly started showing an ugly background rectangle behind the text. How can I make the text transparent?
Sol: Type "sysdm.cpl" in RUN dialog box and press <Enter>. Now goto "Advanced" tab, click on "Setting" button in "Performance" section and enable the option "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop".
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21. I'm using Windows XP and suddenly the Common tasks stopped showing in left-side pane.
Sol: Open "Tools -> Folder Options" and enable the option "Show Common Tasks in folders".
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22. Whenever I right-click on Start button and select "Open", a "Copy To"/"Move To" dialog box opens automatically.
Sol: Open regedit and goto:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ ContextMenuHandlers\
Now under this key, delete following 2 keys:
Copy To
Move To
Move To
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23. I can't see Hidden files/folders in my computer. Even I enable the option "Show hidden files/folders" in "Tools -> Folder Options", its automatically disabled again.
Sol: Open regedit and goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden
Under this key, you'll see 2 more keys "NOHIDDEN" and "SHOWALL". Make sure that the values of "CheckedValue" and "DefaultValue" in right-side pane are "2" and "2" for "NOHIDDEN" and "1" and "2" for "SHOWALL" respectively. If its not so, then change them and you'll be able to enable/disable these options in "Folder Options".
You can also alter Hide/unhide settings using registry as following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Advanced
In right-side pane, change value of "Hidden" to:
1 - To show hidden files
2 - To not show hidden files
2 - To not show hidden files
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24. I accidentally deleted my "mspaint.exe"/"notepad.exe"/etc. file, how can I get it back?
Sol: You can use any of following methods:
A. Goto "%windir%\System32\DLLCache" folder and look for the file, if its there then copy it to "%windir%\System32\" folder.
B. Insert your Windows Setup CD and goto "I386" folder. Now look for the same file, it'll present there but the last letter of extension will be "_". e.g., u'll get "mspaint.ex_"/"notepad.ex_"/etc. Now open Command Prompt and goto "I386" folder and give following command:
expand mspaint.ex_ mspaint.exe
expand notepad.ex_ notepad.exe
etc.
expand notepad.ex_ notepad.exe
etc.
Now u can copy the file to "%windir%\System32" folder.
C. Give following command in Command Prompt:
sfc /SCANNOW
It'll automatically restore the files.
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25. Suddenly my taskbar is showing only icons in all opened application buttons. I can't see any text. How can I get back the full taskbar buttons?
Sol: Open regedit and goto:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
In right-side pane, delete "MinWidth" value.
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26. Whenever I open "www.orkut.com" or any folder with the name "orkut", I get following error with a scary laugh:
Orkut IS BANNED, orkut is banned you fool The administrators didnt write this program guess who did?? r r MUHAHAHA!!
Sol: Please visit following link:
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27. I have forgotten my Windows Administrator password. How can I reset / recover it?
Sol: Please visit following link:
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28. In Yahoo! Messenger, whenever I send a message or get a message I can't see the contents in chat window. All I can see is a blank window.
Sol: Please download Windows Script using any of following links and install it:
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29. Why all User folders in my Windows Vista show default yellow icon instead of the new glass icons?
Sol: Please follow the steps mentioned in following tutorial:
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30. Whenever I click on power button in Vista startmenu, it put my system in Sleep state. How can I change it to shut down the system?
Sol: In Windows Vista the default action of power button is set to Sleep. But you can change it to shut down like previous Windows versions. Please follow the instructions given in this tutorial:
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31. Suddenly Hibernate option is missing in my Windows Vista. How can I enable it again?
Sol: You must have run "Disk Cleanup". Its a known issue in Vista. There is a solution to re-enable Hibernate option:
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32. Why in Windows Vista menus appear on left side of mouse cursor? In previous Windows versions, menus used to show on right-side. How can I change it in Vista?
Sol: Its a problem which many Vista users are facing. Don't worry, follow the following link:
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33. Whenever I try to open any EXE file, it opens in Notepad or Windows asks for the application to open it.
Sol: Its a common problem. It occurs when EXE file settings are corrupted in Registry. Please download following file and run it. It'll fix the issue:
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34. Whenever I set "Thumbnail" view in Windows Explorer, the files are not shown as thumbnails.
Sol: Open RUN dialog box and provide following commands one by one:
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 thumbvw.dll
regsvr32 shimgvw.dll
Restart your computer and your problem will be solved.
PS: Also check out our "Troubleshooting" section which contains solutions of various other problems.
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