Techtrends

HashTab is a Windows shell extension which adds a tab called "File Hashes" to the Windows Explorer file properties.
You may find that many download sites list the MD5 hash along with the download link which is used to verify the integrity and authenticity of that file. The HashTab makes it very simple for Windows users to check these hashes on any file on the system without using external tools.The tab contains the MD5, SHA1 and CRC-32 file hashes. These are common hashes that are used to verify the integrity and authenticity of files.
This application supports Windows 2000, 2003, 2008, XP, and Vista
Download latest version from here.
. Read full story .

Microsoft has recently published a document which is useful to compare key features of two operating systems - Windows XP SP3 and Vista SP1.In 28 pages it deals with the issues of security, management, deployment, mobility and productivity and for each feature or capability, each section compares key Windows Vista advancements against Windows XP.
The document is limited to a brief statement and those wants to know more, and then there is enough technical information on TechNet and MSDN site.
Download documents in PDF / XPS
. Read full story .

There are lots of methods to protect your personal files from private access, for example, by using software like folder lock, or by hiding folders, etc. but if you have thousands of confidential files or folders to hide, selecting and hiding every folder would be time consuming. The easiest way is to hide the particular hard drive that has your confidential files.
To do this we can use TweakUI, one of Microsoft’s Power Toy that allows to access system settings that are not available in Windows XP default user interface. With a few click we can hide a particular drive easily.Download the app and install it. Run TweakUI, go to “My Computer - Drives“, and uncheck the drive that you want it to be invisible and click “Apply”.
It will be disappeared immediately. To access your hidden drive again, just type the drive letter in address bar.[source]
Download TweakUI
. Read full story .

Vlite allows you to create a custom installation of the Windows Vista operating system like nLite for Windows XP. As we know, Windows Vista takes lot of resources and required a reasonable system to operate it. vLite provides you with an easy removal of the unwanted components before installing the OS 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.
vLite has lot of options. You can remove programs and applications and even implement simple "tricks" to improve the stability and functionality of Windows Vista. The usage of this program is recommended for all those who want to streamline Windows Vista to make it work on old computers with little RAM.
Main features of this application are:

1. hotfix, language pack and driver integration
2. component removal
3. unattended setup tweaks
4. split/merge Vista installation CDs
5. create ISO and burn bootable CD/DVD

License: Free / Download
[source]
. Read full story .

Vistalizator is a free tool that allows you to change display language in all Vista editions (32 bit / 64bit). This software is particularly useful, if for example, you buy a Vista laptop from abroad and want it to talk to you in your mother language.
Features of this application includes

• Change Vista display language in less than 5 minutes!
• Uses official Microsoft language packs
• You can install all 35 languages and switch between them easily
• Works in 32-bit Vista
• Works in 64-bit Vista
• Compatible with Vista Service Pack 1
• User Account Control (UAC) compliant - prompts for administrative privileges
• No file is overwritten/changed during language installation - except for language upgrade after Vista SP1 installation

To use this application :
First of all download Vistalizator (File size: 412Kb)
Download Language packs
32 –bit Vista RTM / 32-bit Vista SP1 / 64-bit Vista RTM / 64-bit Vista SP1
>>Unpack Vistalizator (ZIP) to some destination - no need to install
>> Run Vistalizator, open downloaded language pack, press Install
>> Restart Vista [source]
. Read full story .

Microsoft has released Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to the public through Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center, after a slight delay. The SP3 was delayed due to a bug in Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).
Although downloads are available on Automatic Updates, people who want to download the standalone package can use following official links to download SP3
(Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Home Edition; Windows XP Professional Edition; Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2)
>>Windows XP SP3 exe file (342.9Mb)
>>Windows XP SP3 ISO Image (544.9Mb)
>>Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package(316.4Mb)
(source)
. Read full story .

Managing a computer that is used by more than one person can become a tedious job, especially if users have access it without too much knowledge just tear up everything - installing applications, accessing malicious sites that sends viruses to our computer, etc ..Windows SteadyState is free application from Microsoft that allows us to manage these computers and return them to their "original state". This application is the successor of Shared Computer Toolkit, a tool that already exists, to which added several new options.
This application allows us to manage various user profiles, changing its configuration to limits accessing certain options, such as the control panel or management network, etc.
Once you've made these blockades will facilitate computer back to the original state, by simply restarting, but we can also define how long the changes will be kept on disk. For example, a computer room could be reset every time you have new students.
Windows SteadyState work with Windows XP with SP2 installed and download and use are free.(source)
Download
. Read full story .

Microsoft released the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program is for combating piracy and invests most of their time in the development of security and release of updates. Unfortunately Microsoft failed to fight against anti-piracy, hackers are takes several methods to makes it possible to illegally bypass the security system of Windows.
This post shows you how easily crack Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) system. Disclaimer: This post is only for informational purpose. I am not encouraging any piracy.
Of course it must be said that Windows Operating system makes water from all sides in terms of security and unfortunately for Microsoft, the problem is not easy to solve because of the conceived architecture of the operating system; huge and hybrid kernel become impossible to manage in a structured and rational way. It is a clear fact that by changing some registry keys, it can be easily crack Windows, for example it is possible to bypass the WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) system of Windows XP simply by changing a few registry keys. For this you only required to do two steps.
1.Copy the whole file shown below in Notepad and save it as ‘patch.reg’

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]
"CurrentBuild"="1.511.1 () (Obsolete data - do not use)"
"ProductId"="55274-640-1011873-23081"
"DigitalProductId"=hex:a4,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,35,35,32,37,34,2d,36,34,30,2d,\
31,30,31,31,38,37,33,2d,32,33,30,38,31,00,2e,00,00,00,41,32,32,2d,30,30,30,\
30,31,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,86,56,4e,4c,21,1b,2b,6a,a3,78,8e,8f,98,5c,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,dd,da,47,41,cc,6b,06,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,38,31,30,32,36,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b5,16,\
00,00,83,83,1f,38,f8,01,00,00,f5,1c,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,66,e5,70,f3

"LicenseInfo"=hex:33,b7,21,c1,e5,e7,cd,4b,fd,7c,c6,35,51,fd,52,57,17,86,3e,18,\
d3,f4,8c,8e,35,32,7b,d1,43,8d,61,38,60,a4,ca,55,c9,9a,35,17,46,7a,4f,91,fc,\
4a,d9,db,64,5c,c4,e2,0f,34,f3,ea

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents]
"OOBETimer"=hex:ff,d5,71,d6,8b,6a,8d,6f,d5,33,93,fd

2.Double click on this registry file and click ok. That’s all.
(source)
. Read full story .

TrayIt is a small, free utility for Windows that will save your precious Taskbar space for minimized windows. When application's window is minimized, TrayIt represents the application on the Taskbar with icons instead of the regular minimized rectangle.The application is particularly useful for background tasks you typically keep running on your PC all day long like your favorite E-mail client, Real Player, etc.
There are three ways to TrayIt to minimize any window to the task bar:
1- By right clicking on the minimize button in any window, and clicking on "Place in System Tray"; place an icon on the taskbar
2 - Press the Ctrl button and click the button to minimize any window
3 - A simple right-click on the button marked "X" (close) from any window.
TrayIt runs on Windows XP, Vista 2000, and requires no installation
License- Free / File size- 209Kb / Download / Home page
. Read full story .

Microsoft has decided to distribute the first beta version of Internet Explorer 8. At present it can be installed on Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Vista, Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2).Following are some features revealed in internet explorer 8 - Activities, WebSlices, Favorites Bar, Automatic Crash Recovery, and Improved Phishing Filter.
Activities allow users to send web content via the internet to find the online service better known. For example, you can select a physical address of a restaurant and with only two clicks to see a map without having to leave the same site.
WebSlices allows users to crop a specific area section of a site and bookmark it. Automatic Crash Recovery will help to avoid losing information. It recovers your tabs if your browser crashes.
[However, I can’t download it, think that we have to wait some more time to download it ]
(via Genbeta) Download
. Read full story .

ExeLib is a database for Windows process information, where you can find information like the name of an exe file, its description, its effects, its risk factor, and some other information also.

The main usage of this site is to check what is running on your computer. By checking your task manager, then looking up executables on here, you can find information about each process on your computer, then, work on figuring out which you need, which you don't need, and which you really don't want on the computer - then remove them.

. Read full story .

AutoRuns for Windows V.9.10 is now available for download. This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system boot up or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. This application, Autoruns, goes beyond the MSConfig utility included with Windows Me and XP.You can configure Auto runs to show locations including Explorer shell extensions, registry, toolbars, browser helper objects, Win logon notifications services; etc. More details...
Autoruns works on all versions of Windows including 64-bit versions.
Download
Via-Noticiastech
. Read full story .

The latest security news (22 / 1 / 2008) from Trend Micro reveals a new worm (WORM_SILLYFDC.CY) that affects Windows Task manager and Update function, which are the two important functions of Windows. It disables these two functions so the users would not be able to update the system or to check the running processes in order to shut down the infection.
According to Trend Micro, it affects most flavors of the operating system produced by Microsoft, including Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and Server 2003 and has a high damage potential.
This worm is dropped by other Malware or can be downloaded unknowingly by a user when visiting malicious Web sites.

It propagates through removable drives or through copies itself in all available physical drives It drops an AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute dropped copies when the drives are accessed. In addition, it infects files of certain types by adding an iFrame tag that contains a link to a malicious site.

Trend Micro detects the infected files as HTML_IFRAME.JR. The above mentioned site aids this worm in performing its malicious routines.

This worm accesses URLs to download possibly malicious files. As a result, malicious routines of the downloaded files are also exhibited on the affected system.

Visit this link for removing this worm
Track - Softpedia
. Read full story .

Advanced Windows Care is one of the best applications for optimizing the performance of Windows. This multi-use application provides an all-in-one and super convenient solution for repair, protect and optimize our computer to the maximum.
Windows Advanced Care Personnel is a free version and you can download it from here.
Advanced WindowsCare Personal provides the following options:

• Information System: Provides the basic system information
• Remove Spyware and Adware: Analyzes the system registry for any infection by spyware or adware
• Fixing Registry errors: Analyzes and clean the errors
• Preventing security threats
• Optimizing the System: Analyzes and repairs the system configurations
• Start Control: Allows control applications loaded on system startup
• Clean Privacy: Erase history and protect your privacy
• Cleaning unnecessary files: Removes unnecessary files from the system

The application is very simple to operate; all work will be done with 1 click and 1 minute. Compared with its nearest competitor, Advanced WindowsCare Personal provides the more essential and practical formula for Windows: Removing Spyware and Adware, Preventing Security Threats, Privacy Protection, Fixing Registry Errors, Temporary Files Cleanup, Startup Cleanup, Repairing Windows and Speeding up the System.
>>Version 2.6 improves Memory Cleaner module, and adds support for Yahoo Toolbar.
>>The only thing I dislike with this app is, it bundled with Yahoo tool bar. However there is an option to disable it while installing the app.
License – Free
Download the App
Track – Tecnobita
. Read full story .

Mac OS X users may already familiar with ‘dimmer effect’ called ‘Expose’, automatically darkens all inactive window on desktop, so we have better focus on the active window. It helps us to focus on a program or a video to concentrate without windows can be in the background, too distracted. The same effects can also being applied to Windows.

Currently there are two free applications available namely Jedi Concentrate and Ghoster.

Jedi Concentrate allows us to dimming the desktop, with the exception of the active window at the push of a button (WIN + J). With a click outside of the active tasks will be returned to the familiar desktop without Dim effect

The updated version of Jedi Concentrate with a fade effect can be downloaded from here

Ghoster is also in the same category. With this software you can hides all non-permanent active windows. Right-clicking in the System tray can terminate the program at any time. You can download this application from Donationcoder

Track - Vistablog

. Read full story .

USB disk ejector is a program for Windows that allows us to quickly and safely remove USB devices connected. It was originally designed to remove only USB pen drives but will now eject any USB device. It can be run as a non-visual command line program or a normal GUI program.

The command line options are very flexible, they can be used to:

• Eject the drive that the program is running from.
• Eject a drive by specifying a drive letter.
• Eject a drive by specifying a drive name.
• Eject a drive by specifying a partial drive name.

When run as a ‘normal’ GUI program the tools enables USB devices to be quickly ejected through a mouse click or keyboard press. It’s especially useful when dealing with multiple USB devices and for Vista users who don’t want the ‘now safe to remove this device’ dialog box to appear.

Supports – Windows XP/Vista

Download

Track - dosbit

. Read full story .

To improve your system performance Hard disk should be tune up properly. If your hard disk is fully loaded with large amount of data it struggles to keep pace with other components. There is lot of software available for tune up HDD, but here I am not mentioning about software.

Remember that old computers with less than 256MB of RAM should not try this. The method is optimizing memory to handle the ‘interrupts’ emerged due to the HDD. You can configure the buffer to optimize the memory.

Go to Start - Run - type sysedit and hit enter. This will open System Configuration Editor. Now you can see four windows open namely- System.INI, Config.SYS, WIN.INI and Autoexec.Bat. Now expand System.ini window and look for [386enh]

Now place the courser after it and press 'Enter' button on the keyboard to create a new row under it. Here type Irq14=4096 (These letters are case sensitive so enter it exactly as shown).

Now go to File and save the configuration. Close the System Configuration Editor and restart the

computer.

. Read full story .

Vista has already been released, but most of us still use XP—and so, try out a 64 bit Windows XP . You can download a free 120 days version of Windows XP Professional x64 (SP1) from Microsoft. The version includes Media player 10, 64Bit and 32 Bit Internet explorer etc.

Microsoft offers this x64 bit Windows XP at no coast. You can download or order for a CD from Microsoft. After you have completed the registration process, you will receive an email with a link to download page and an activation key.

To minimize compatibility problem Microsoft also provides a 64 bit wow emulator that enables you to run some 32bit application on 64 bit computer.
The download file size is 558.165 Mb and will be in ISO format (you must be burned to a CD/DVD before install)
. Read full story .

Source: Betanews.com

. Read full story .

Check out the new features and the new look at http://gallery.live.com
. Read full story .