Windows

Virtual Machine

One possible solution to this problem could be a Virtual Machine (VM). This program permits the user to have the same experience as if he had a determined OS. In other words, if I have an Apple laptop and I need to open a file that is only compatible with Windows, using a virtual machine would be like having "Windows" inside my computer, so I would be able to open that file.

Use rasdial in Windows 7 Task Scheduler

The proposed solution consists of two steps.

  1. Creation of VPN connection
  2. Scheduling of task

For this solution you will need a VPN connection in Windows' integrated service (you need to have login data for a VPN service for this)
This is accessed via the Control Panel under Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center.

  • Click 'Set up a new connection or network'
  • Choose 'Connect to a workplace'
  • Choose 'Use my Internet connection'
  • Input the VPN's internet address and a name of your choosing for the connection (you will need this name later on)
  • Input your login credentials

Now you should be able to log into your VPN.

Once thats done we set up an automatic task in the task scheduler:

  • Click the start button
  • Click Control panel
  • Click System and Maintenance
  • Click Administrative Tools
  • Double-click Task Scheduler

Now that we have accessed the task schedular we create a new task:

  • Click 'create task' on the right and a window opens
  • There input a name for your task
  • Switch to the Trigger tab
  • Click on 'New'
  • From the dropdown menu choose 'at startup'
  • Check 'enabled' at the bottom and confirm with 'OK'
  • Switch to the Actions tab
  • Click on 'New'
  • From the dropdown menu choose 'Start a program'
  • In the field 'Program/script' write "rasdial"
  • In the field 'Add arguments' write "name_of_connection username password" (keep the " and replace with your login credentials)
  • Confirm by clicking OK twice
  • Now the VPN connection should always be established at startup

Andyroid emulator

The solution for the problem is to install an Android emulator in your computer.
Andy is one of the best emulator. It can be download here: http://www.andyroid.net/
After installed you can enjoy all your Android application on you windows machine

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Explorer context menu - Open a command window here

At least since Windows 7 you have the this option built-in.

  • open Windows Explorer and navigate to the desired folder
  • press and hold Shift key and right click at the folder
  • select "Open a command window here"

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Opening cmd window in a specific location

You may want to look at this "PowerToy" from Microsoft: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=211471

Open Command Window Here

This PowerToy adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file system folders, giving you a quick way to open a command window (cmd.exe) pointing at the selected folder.

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How can I open a cmd window in a specific location?

Without having to navigate all the way to the directory I want to open a cmd window.

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Update Windows install image with DISM

Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to manipulate the image. DISM.exe gets shipped with Windows 7. You can integrate updates or drivers and even language packs.

prerequisites:
First you need an ISO-Image of a windows 7 Boot-DVD and an empty USB-stick with more than 6GB space.
If you have a Windows DVD SP1, create an ISO-Image e.g. with http://www.imgburn.com/

Next, create a Windows boot stick:
download the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. e.g. from http://wudt.codeplex.com/
Install and follow the 4 steps to create the stick. (ALL DATA on the STICK will be LOST)

get Windows Updates:
Install the WUD - Windowsupdatesdownloader from
http://www.windowsupdatesdownloader.com/
get the latest update list from:
http://www.windowsupdatesdownloader.com/UpdateLists.aspx

or download other windows updates (file format: .msu, .cab)

Copy all updates into a single folder - no subdirectories.

main part:
Run following commands in elevated command window.

- mount image file:
dism.exe /Mount-Wim /WimFile: /Index:#2 /MountDir:
path to the Windows installation image file (e.g. f:\sources\image.wim)
empty directory on your local drive (e.g. c:\winimage)

- add updates
dism /image: /Add-Package /Packagepath:
folder path with all the update files or full path to single update (repeate if needed)

- unmount the image and write back all changes:
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir: /Commit
will write the image.wim on the usb-stick and delete content of

Now boot a new PC with this stick and all updates will be applied during installation. You will only have to load some new updates from Windows Update.

DISM provides some more options, e.g. remove updates or add drivers. Refer to the DISM help for further instructions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/de-de/library/hh825099.aspx

Using AutoHotkey to support Key Long press in Windows

With the open source application AutoHotkey you can define hotkeys for the mouse and keyboard, remap keys or buttons and autocorrect-like replacements.

We want to use it to enable Long press on any key. If the key is pressed for a certain period of time, a defined character will be written, otherwise the regular character of the key will be used.

Here is an example of a script that changes the "-" key to the german "ß":

$-:: ;-------------------- Long press (> 0.5 sec) on "-" key
KeyWait, -, T0.5 ;-------- Wait no more than 0.5 sec for release (also suppress auto-repeat)
If ErrorLevel
{ ;----------------------- timeout, so long press
SendInput, {ASC 225} ;---- send special char using ASCII codes
KeyWait, - ;-------------- suppress sending another char at key release
}
Else
Send {-} ;---------------- send regular char if no long press
Return

You can repeat this for the keys "[", ";" and "'" to map the other german special characters.

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Use robocopy to copy multiple files

Robocopy is a built in comprehensive copy tool for Windows.

  • open command line - Windows key + R
  • enter "cmd" (without "")
  • press Enter
  • command window opens

Now you can enter your command. The base robocopy syntax is: robocopy %source path% %destination% *.*

example:
robocopy c:\windows\temp c:\windows *.* /E
option /E to copy full folder structure - inclusive empty ones

A simple use case would be copying files for daily backup:
robocopy C:\Users c:\Backup\%date% *.* /MIR /LOG:backup.log
option /MIR copies empty folders and deletes files in destination path if no longer present in source path

to rerun the script. open a text editor and save the command to a batch file, e.g. backup.bat

See help for more options run robocopy /? in command window.

Copy files and preserve folder structure

I have to copy a bunch of files from one drive to another. Simple Strg+C is to unreliable and has to start from the beginning, if the copy process gets interrupted. xcopy %source% %destination% has no sufficient logging options. The solution should be a command line script, to simply rerun the task.

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