Windows 101

This post is a bit dated and has been flagged for review.

Most of these Windows time-tested tips go back several versions of Windows, so they're definitely worth using.

Famous Shortcuts

• Menu – Win + X
• Explorer – Win + E
• Useful cmds
  • ping
  • tracert
  • ipconfig
  • > (output to text file)
• Security policies – Secpol.msc
• Add / remove programs – Appwiz.cpl
• Useful apps
  • Procmon
  • psexec
  • autoruns

Useful Run Commands For Windows

There are way more commands to run in Windows than you're currently using. Here's a list of useful run commands for Windows you can start using right now if you already aren't.

Enjoy the speed!

Office Shortcuts

winword – Microsoft Word
excel – Microsoft Excel
powerpnt – Microsoft PowerPoint
msaccess – Microsoft Access
outlook – Microsoft Outlook
ois – Microsoft Picture Manager

Regular Run Commands

Calc - Calculator
Cfgwiz32 - ISDN Configuration Wizard
Charmap - Character Map
Chkdisk - Check Disk
Cleanmgr - Hard Drive Clean Up
Clipbrd- Windows Clipboard Viewer
Cmd - Command Window
Control - Control Panel
Dcomcnfg - DCOM User Security
Debug - Assembly Language Programming Tool
Defrag - Defragmentation Tool
Drwatson - Records Programs Crash and Snapshots
Dxdiag - DirectX Diagnostic Utility
Explorer - Windows Explorer
Fontview - Graphical Font Viewer
Ftp - File Transfer Protocol Program
Hostname - Computer Name
Ipconfig - IP Configuration For All Network Adapters
Jview - Microsoft Command-Line Loader For Java Classes
MMC - Microsoft Management Console
Msconfig - Startup Files
Msinfo32 - Microsoft System Information Utility
Nbtstat - Stats and Current Connections Using NetBios over TCP/IP
Netstat - All Active Network Connections
Nslookup - Local DNS server
Odbcad32 - ODBC Data Source Administrator
Ping - Ping Sample Data To Specified Host
Regedit - Registry Editor
Regsvr32 - Register/De-Register DLL/OCX/ActiveX
Regwiz - Registration Wizard
Sfc /scannow - System File Checker
Sndrec32 - Sound Recorder
Sndvol32 - Volume Control
Sysedit - System Startup Files (config.sys, autoexec.bat, win.ini, etc.)
Systeminfo - System Information In Text Console
Taskmgr - Task Manager
Telnet - Telnet Program
Taskkill - Kill Processes Using Command Line Interface
Tskill - Reduced Version Of Taskkill From Windows XP Home
Tracert - Traces and Displays All Paths Required To Reach Host Over Internet
Winchat - Simple Chat Program For Windows Networks
Winipcfg - IP Configuration
Wupdmgr - Windows Update

Management Consoles

certmgr.msc - Certificate Manager
ciadv.msc - Indexing Service
compmgmt.msc - Computer Management
devmgmt.msc - Device Manager
dfrg.msc - Disk Defragment
diskmgmt.msc - Disk Management
fsmgmt.msc - Folder Sharing Management
eventvwr.msc - Event Viewer
gpedit.msc - Group Policy -XP Pro only
iis.msc - Internet Information Services
lusrmgr.msc - Local Users and Groups
mscorcfg.msc - Net Configurations
ntmsmgr.msc - Removable Storage
perfmon.msc - Performance Manager
secpol.msc - Local Security Policy
services.msc - System Services
wmimgmt.msc - Windows Management

Shortcuts

access.cpl - Accessibility Options
hdwwiz.cpl - Add New Hardware Wizard
appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs
timedate.cpl - Date And Time Properties
desk.cpl - Display Properties
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
joy.cpl - Joystick Properties
main.cpl keyboard - Keyboard Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
ncpa.cpl - Network Connections
ncpl.cpl - Network Properties
telephon.cpl - Phone And Modem Options
powercfg.cpl - Power Management
intl.cpl - Regional Settings
mmsys.cpl sounds - Sound Properties
mmsys.cpl - Sounds And Audio Device Properties
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
nusrmgr.cpl - User Settings
firewall.cpl - Firewall Settings (sp2)
wscui.cpl - Security Center (sp2)

To give a light refresher, you can get to the Run dialogue by:

All Windows Versions

Windows key + R

Windows 8.1

• Right click Start
• Click Run

Windows 8

• Press Windows Key
• Or move mouse to lower left corner of screen and click mouse

Windows 7 and Vista

• Click Start
• Click mouse in Search Box and begin typing

Windows XP

• Click Start
• Click Run

Useful Shell Commands For Windows

Shell commands are one of those time savers that are fun to use but not many IT pros use them. See below for the more useful shell commands.

In order to quickly open special folders in Windows, you can use shell:COMMAND as a shortcut to access these folders. You can execute these commands from the Run dialogue, Start Menu Search Box, and in Windows Explorer.

Useful Shell Commands For Windows 8/7/Vista/2008

shell:AddNewProgramsFolder
shell:Administrative Tools
shell:AppData
shell:AppUpdatesFolder
shell:CD Burning
shell:CSCFolder
shell:Cache
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
shell:Common Administrative Tools
shell:Common AppData
shell:Common Desktop
shell:Common Documents
shell:Common Programs
shell:Common Start Menu
shell:Common Startup
shell:Common Templates
shell:CommonDownloads
shell:CommonMusic
shell:CommonPictures
shell:CommonVideo
shell:ConflictFolder
shell:ConnectionsFolder
shell:Contacts
shell:ControlPanelFolder
shell:Cookies
shell:CredentialManager
shell:CryptoKeys
shell:Default Gadgets
shell:Desktop
shell:Downloads
shell:DpapiKeys
shell:Favorites
shell:Fonts
shell:Gadgets
shell:GameTasks
shell:Games
shell:History
shell:InternetFolder
shell:Links
shell:Local AppData
shell:LocalAppDataLow
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir
shell:MAPIFolder
shell:My Music
shell:My Pictures
shell:My Video
shell:MyComputerFolder
shell:NetHood
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder
shell:OEM Links
shell:Original Images
shell:Personal
shell:PhotoAlbums
shell:Playlists
shell:PrintHood
shell:PrintersFolder
shell:Profile
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:ProgramFilesCommon
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86
shell:ProgramFilesX86
shell:Programs
shell:Public
shell:PublicGameTasks
shell:Quick Launch
shell:Recent
shell:RecycleBinFolder
shell:ResourceDir
shell:SampleMusic
shell:SamplePictures
shell:SamplePlaylists
shell:SampleVideos
shell:SavedGames
shell:SearchHomeFolder
shell:Searches
shell:SendTo
shell:Start Menu
shell:Startup
shell:SyncCenterFolder
shell:SyncResultsFolder
shell:SyncSetupFolder
shell:System
shell:SystemCertificates
shell:SystemX86
shell:Templates
shell:TreePropertiesFolder
shell:UserProfiles
shell:UsersFilesFolder
shell:Windows

Shell Commands For Windows XP/2003

shell:Administrative Tools
shell:AppData
shell:CD Burning
shell:Cache
shell:Common Administrative Tools
shell:Common AppData
shell:Common Desktop
shell:Common Documents
shell:Common Programs
shell:Common Start Menu
shell:Common Startup
shell:Common Templates
shell:CommonPictures
shell:CommonVideo
shell:ConnectionsFolder
shell:ControlPanelFolder
shell:Cookies
shell:Desktop
shell:Favorites
shell:Fonts
shell:History
shell:InternetFolder
shell:Local AppData
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir
shell:My Music
shell:My Pictures
shell:My Video
shell:NetHood
shell:Personal
shell:PrintHood
shell:PrintersFolder
shell:Profile
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:Programs
shell:Recent
shell:RecycleBinFolder
shell:ResourceDir
shell:SendTo
shell:Start Menu
shell:Startup
shell:System
shell:SystemX86
shell:Templates
shell:Windows

Shell Commands For Windows 2000

shell:Administrative Tools
shell:AppData
shell:Common Administrative Tools
shell:Common AppData
shell:Common Desktop
shell:Common Documents
shell:Common Favorites
shell:Common Menu
shell:Common Programs
shell:Common Startup
shell:Common Templates
shell:CommonProgramFiles
shell:ConnectionsFolder
shell:ControlPanelFolder
shell:Cookies
shell:Desktop
shell:DesktopFolder
shell:DriveFolder
shell:Favorites
shell:Fonts
shell:History
shell:InternetFolder
shell:Local AppData
shell:Menu
shell:My Pictures
shell:NetHood
shell:NetworkFolder
shell:Personal
shell:PrintHood
shell:PrintersFolder
shell:Profile
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:Programs
shell:Recent
shell:RecycleBinFolder
shell:SendTo
shell:Startup
shell:System
shell:SystemX86
shell:Templates
shell:Windows

Logon Errors

User Profile Service service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded.

Login as local Administrator and delete the SQM Folder located at C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\SQM

There could be a couple reasons why this may be happening. Here's the most likely culprits:

• Beginning hardware problems like bad memory, hard drive failure (disk write errors), and more. This could be due to age and wear or a power failure that damaged your hardware. This happens quite a bit.
• An improper shutdown, especially in the middle of a cleaning, install, or upgrade of normal files or hardware.
• Failed Windows Update of a critical system file.
• Virus, other malware, or a poorly coded 3rd party Windows utility.

Common Environment Variables and File Locations

To get a complete list of the environmental variables on your system, all you need to do is type set into a CMD prompt. Here are some of the most common, most useful environment variables for Windows:

Location	Notes	Win7 x64	Vista x64	Vista x86	XP
All Users Desktop	-	C:\Users\Public\Desktop	C:\Users\Public\Desktop	C:\Users\Public\Desktop	C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
All Users Start Menu	-	C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu	C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu	C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu	C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
ALLUSERSPROFILE	All Users Profile	C:\ProgramData	C:\ProgramData	C:\ProgramData	C:\Documents and Settings\All Users
APPDATA	-	C:\Users\username>\AppData\Roaming	C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming	C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data
CommonProgramFiles	-	C:\Program Files\Common Files	C:\Program Files\Common Files	C:\Program Files\Common Files	C:\Program Files\Common Files
CommonProgramFiles(x86)	Common 32bit Program Files on 64bit machine	C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files	C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files	-	-
HOMEDRIVE	-	C:	C:	C:	C:
HOMEPATH	Location of User Profile while user is logged in (not location of roaming profile)	\Users\username	\Users\username	\Users\username	\Documents and Settings\username
IE Favorites	-	C:\Users\username\Favorites	C:\Users\username\Favorites	C:\Users\username\Favorites	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Favorites
Links	-	C:\Users\username\Links	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Links	-	-
LOCALAPPDATA	Mozilla Profile in Vista	C:\Users\username\AppData\Local	C:\Users\username\AppData\Local	C:\Users\username\AppData\Local	-
Mozilla Profile	-	C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles	C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles	C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
ProgramData	MST Login Scripts, All Users Profile	C:\ProgramData	C:\ProgramData	C:\ProgramData	-
ProgramFiles	32bit programs for 32bit OS, 64bit programs for 64bit OS	C:\Program Files	C:\Program Files	C:\Program Files	C:\Program Files
ProgramFiles(x86)	32bit Program Files on 64bit machine	C:\Program Files (x86)	C:\Program Files (x86)	-	-
Public	Shared Public Data in Vista	C:\Users\Public	C:\Users\Public	C:\Users\Public	-
Quick Launch Toolbar	Quick Launch shortcuts	C:\Users\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
SystemDrive	Drive where Windows is installed	C:	C:	C:	C:
SystemRoot	Location where Windows is installed	C:\Windows	C:\Windows	C:\Windows	C:\WINNT
User Desktop	-	C:\Users\username\Desktop	C:\Users\username\Desktop	C:\Users\username\Desktop	C:\Documents and Settings\username\Desktop
User Documents	-	C:\Users\username\Documents	C:\Users\username\Documents	C:\Users\username\Documents	C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents
USERPROFILE	Profile location	C:\Users\username	C:\Users\username	C:\Users\username	C:\Documents and Settings\username
WINDIR	Location where Windows is installed	C:\Windows	C:\Windows	C:\Windows	C:\WINNT

Update: you may have noticed that there is no environment variable that refers to the location of the user's My Documents directory. Based on this, there isn't a standard method for setting a program's home directory to be the My Documents directory. You can easily navigate to this by adding the documents directory to the %userprofile% variable - %userprofile%\documents.

What are Environment Variables Used For?

Environment variables help programs know what directory to install normal files, where to store temporary files, and where to find user profile info.

One environment variable that started in Vista and still sees heavy use today is %appdata%. This variable points to the location of data made by programs specific to users, such as browsers. If you type or paste this variable name into a run box or explorer window, it will open up the AppData\Roaming folder under your user profile.

As you've seen, this is but one of many useful variables you can use to not only open specific locations faster, but also to easily script and automate some tasks.

What useful environment variables for Windows do you use the most? While you're looking for time testing Windows tips and shortcuts, head over to the most useful shell commands for Windows.

Blue Screen Of Death Crash Dump Analysis

Frequent blue screen of death, or BSoD, crashes can be infuriating since they take control away from you. This post will illuminate some of the Windows crash dump analysis tips you can use to help make this madness stop.

How to do the Windows Crash Dump Analysis

1. Boot into Windows Recovery Console

2. Select Command Prompt from the list of options

3. Type diskpart into the command console

4. Type list volume

5. Find the Volume with System in the Info column (Usually Drive C )

6. Find the Volume of the flash drive you are copying to (Fs = FAT32)

7. Type exit

8. Type cd C:\Windows to navigate to the memory.dmp file

9. Type copy *.dmp F: (this assumes F: is your flash drive)

10. Type exit

11. Load windbg.exe from the Debugging Tools folder on the Desk Drive

12. Press 'Crtl+S' to select the Symbols location

13. Type in srv*Z:\Debugging Tools for Windows (x86)\Symbols (where Z:\.. is the location of the Symbols Directory)

14. Press OK

15. Press Crtl+D to open a Crash dump file

16. Open .DMP file and wait

Blue Screen Error Reference Guide