Make File Extensions Visible

To make file extensions (i.e. .exe, .txt, pdf, etc.) do the following:


1. From any folder select "Layout" and then select "Show Classic Menus"
2. Select "Tools" and then "Folder Options"
3. Click the "View" Tab
4. Uncheck the box "Hide Extensions of Known File Typs"
5. Now you have file extension nirvana!

Disable Windows Welcome Center

In order to disable Windows Welcome Center, perform the following:

• Right click the Vista Sidebar icon that resides in the system tray.
• Select "Properties" from the pop-up window.
• Uncheck the checkbox titled: "Start sidebar when Windows starts".
• Click OK.

Disable Windows Welcome Center

With the Welcome Center showing, uncheck the checkbox titled: "Run at startup" which is located at the bottom of the Welcome Center window.

Force users to login with their username and password

If you would rather force users to login with their username and password rather than select their username from a list of user accounts, perform the following:

1. In the search box on the start menu type "local security policy"
2. Double click the local security policy entry
3. Open "Local Policies"
4. Select "Security Options"
5. Double click the entry titled "Interactive Login" Do not display last user name"
6. Place a checkmark in the "Enabled" checkbox
7. Click "OK"

Disable "Recently Opened Files" list

If you don't desire to let anyone know what you have been working on, you can remove the recently opened files list by doing the following:

1. Right click in any open area of the taskbar.
2. Select "Properties" from the pop-up menu.
3. Click the "Start Menu" tab.
4. Uncheck the boxes under privacty titled "Store and display a list of recently opened files" and "Store and display a list of recently opened programs."
5. Click "OK"

Bring back the Command Prompt

You can right-click on any folder while holding down the shift key to display an extra context-sensitive menu item: "Open Command Prompt Here"

Bring back the "Run" command

To temporarily bring back the "Run" command press the Win+R key

To permanently bring back the "Run" command do the following:
Right click on the Start menu and choose properties.
Select the Start menu tab and click on the "Customize" button.
Ensure the "Run command" option is checked.