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Resize your hard disk partitions vista
An extra cool new feature that Windows Vista
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User Account Control

User Account Control or UAC is a new feature in Vista that asks for permission to do system software tasks and also run programs. Unfortunately, this security feature is also annoying. I cannot predict the future of your system or what kind of security vulnerabilities will be used to attack systems, and as such, you need to decide for yourself if you desire to keep UAC active, but if you wish to disable it, here is how
With the default Category Control Panel:
1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Administrative Tools
5. Select the System Configuration button
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select the Tools Tab
8. Select "Disable UAC"
9. Select the Launch button
10. Select the Ok button to close the panel
You will have to reboot for the setting to take effect.

System Restore and Indexing Features

If you are experiencing "random" slowdowns and "high" CPU usage for no reason, these two features are the most likely cause of the problem. These features are also a major cause of "missing" disk space. System Restore could be taking up to 15% of your hard drive space, just on it's own. On a 200GB hard drive, that is 30GB!
System Restore Service creates system snap shots or "restore points" for returning to at a later time. Every time you install a program or new driver, plus on a schedule, this service creates a restore point to roll back to if a problem occurs. This is the first thing that I get rid of on a clean installation. If you use this and enjoy it, good for you. I never will. I feel it is faster and less hassle to just install clean. If you do not use System Restore Service, I highly recommend you back up your important files using, for example, a CD/DVD burner or an external USB 2.0 hard drive. A rather good (and possibly the only) reason to use this "feature" is to roll back your OS after installing an unknown program or testing software. For example: BETA software of any kind or before installing a Service Pack . NOTE: If you disable this service, your previous "restore points" will be deleted. If, for what ever reason, you do not want this to happen, do not disable this service.
The Indexing Service, by default, searches the start menu and the user account directory (C:/Users/<account>/) to assist in faster searching. However, with the tasks that I personally do, I rarely, use the Windows Search feature. The indexing feature has improved, though, as it is much more sensitive to an active user and will reduce the resources used while a person is actively using the system.
Get rid of System Restore and Indexing. Where do you find it?
With the default Category Control Panel:
1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Backup and Restore Center
5. Select Create a restore point or change settings (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select System Protection Tab (should be there already)
8. Uncheck your hard drives listed under "Automatic restore points"
9. Select the Turn System Restore Off button
10. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

With the Classic View:

• Head to Start
• Select Control Panel
• Select Backup and Restore Center
• Select Create a restore point or change settings (on the left side)
• Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
• Select System Protection Tab (should be there already)
• Uncheck your hard drives listed under "Automatic restore points"
• Select the Turn System Restore Off button
• Select the Ok button to apply the settings
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You can now disable the Indexing Feature:
With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Indexing Options
5. Select the Modify button
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select the Show all locations button
8. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
9. Double click "Users" in the "Summary of selected locations"
10. Uncheck Users directory
11. Double click "Start Menu " in the "Summary of selected locations"
12. Uncheck Start Menu directory
13. Select the Ok button to close the panel
With the Classic Control Panel:
1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Indexing Options
5. Select the Modify button
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select the Show all locations button
8. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
9. Double click "Users" in the "Summary of selected locations"
10. Uncheck Users directory
11. Double click "Start Menu " in the "Summary of selected locations"
12. Uncheck Start Menu directory
13. Select the Ok button to close the panel
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Windows Sidebar

The new Windows Vista Sidebar uses between 12MB and 20MB of RAM with the default 3 Gadgets and no news headline feed.
Desire to disable the Sidebar? Several ways exist, but here are two of them:
1. Locate the Windows Sidebar icon in the System Tray (lower right, near the clock display)
1. Show hidden icons if it is not displayed
2. Right click the icon to bring up the context menu
3. Select Properties
4. Uncheck Start Sidebar when Windows starts
5. Select the Ok button to apply the settings
You can disable the Sidebar also by:
• Right click on an unused area of the Sidebar (between Gadgets or at the bottom) to bring up the context menu
• Select Properties
• Uncheck Start Sidebar when Windows starts
• Select the Ok button to apply the settings
If you wish to close the Sidebar now:
1. Locate the Windows Sidebar icon in the System Tray (lower right, near the clock display)
1. Show hidden icons if it is not displayed
2. Right click the icon to bring up the context menu
3. Select Exit
or:
• Right click on an unused area of the Sidebar (between Gadgets or at the bottom) to bring up the context menu
• Select Exit

Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop

Remove Remote Assistance and ensure Remote Desktop is disabled.
Take Note: Remote Desktop is not available on Vista Home or Vista Home Premium, so the option will not be there.
Where do you find it?
With the default Category Control Panel:
1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select System
5. Select Remote settings (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Uncheck "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer " option
8. Ensure "Don't allow connections to this computer" option is checked
9. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

With the Classic Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System
4. Select Remote settings (on the left side)
5. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
6. Uncheck "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer " option
7. Ensure "Don't allow connections to this computer" option is checked
8. Select the Ok button to apply the settings
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Vista Aero (Themes)

Reduce the overhead associated with Windows Vista's new Themes. As a side note, the new Aero is a big reason to upgrade to Vista and I really enjoy the new look. However, if you are using an older system that does not meet the recommended requirements to run the new Aero Glass engine, disable the themes to make it look like Windows 2000/XP (with it's new theme disabled) and save the memory.
With the default Category Control Panel:
1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Appearance and Personalization
4. Select Personalization
5. Select Theme
6. From the drop down box, select "Windows Classic"
7. Select the Ok button
With the Classic Control Panel:
1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Personalization
4. Select Theme
5. From the drop down box, select "Windows Classic"
6. Select the Ok button
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Fine tune visual performance options:
With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Performance Information and Tools
5. Select Adjust visual effects (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select "Adjust for best performance."
8. Select the Ok button

With the Classic Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System
4. Select Advanced system settings (on the left side)
5. Select Advanced Tab
6. Under Performance, select the Settings button
7. Select Visual Effects Tab
8. Select "Adjust for best performance."
9. Select the Ok button
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After that, Disable and Stop the Themes service.
With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select All Programs
3. Select Administrative Tools
4. Select Services
5. Select "Themes" service (Double Click)
6. Select General Tab
7. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
8. In the Service status area: select "Stop"
9. Select the Ok button to close the panel
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Updated Drivers

Download and install all updated drivers from the hardware manufacture sites. I cannot tell you what site you need to go to for your system components as I have no idea what is installed in your system, but do your computer a favor and get updated drivers for everything. Contact your PC builder or each manufacture for each item installed in your system.
As with every Windows release in the past, updated drivers fix bugs and also usually increase performance from the default OS drivers installed.
Usually, after the installation of each driver, you must reboot. If the driver installation program does not ask you to reboot, I still recommend to do so.
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Lighten System Tray

After updating all my drivers, I remove any excess icons (all of them, basically) from the system tray (lower right) and check the services (Number Seven) to ensure nothing else was installed (like NVIDIA's "driver helper." Contrary to popular belief, those little "quick access" icons take up a lot of room and increase boot time.
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Add/Remove Programs
Uninstall Windows Vista features that are unused:
With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Programs
4. Select Programs and Features
5. Select Turn Windows features on or off (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Check or Uncheck needed/unneeded Windows features
8. Select the Ok button
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Services
Adjust for any additional unneeded services. Windows Vista Services.
With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Administrative Tools
5. Select Services
6. Select a service to adjust by double-clicking
7. In the General tab, Startup type section, select Automatic (Delayed Start), Automatic, Manual or Disabled.
If you like, you can also do: Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Run --> type in SERVICES.MSC --> Select OK.
After configuring all services that you desire to change, reboot to see the effects of your tweaking.
Note: Do not use msconfig to stop services. It basically is "disabling" a service. Use the above procedure and set to "manual" instead for testing purposes.
If you have not already, reboot now.
If you have rebooted, do it again.

Notes for a Happier Computer and User

• Do not use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead!
• Service settings are global, meaning changes apply to all users.
• All of these services are "Standard" with Windows Vista.
• Still unsure? Put your setting to "Manual" or the listing under "Safe." Manual allows Windows Vista to start the service when it needs to (or when ever it feels like it), but not at boot up. Depending on your configuration, not all services will start when required while in "Manual" mode. If you find you need a service, place it in Automatic.
• After adjusting your service settings, reboot your computer.
• Before E-Mailing me, see if your question has been addressed in the FAQ!
• Viewing Instructions: If the information is hard to read, please check out your viewing options.
Table Header Information
• DEFAULT Home Basic ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows Vista Home Basic. This may use 200+ MB with 120 services listed.
• DEFAULT Home Premium ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows Vista Home Premium. This may use 200+ MB with 124 Services listed.
• DEFAULT Business ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows Vista Business. This may use 200+ MB with 124 Services listed.
• DEFAULT Ultimate ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows Vista Ultimate. This may use 250+ MB with 129 Services listed.
• "Safe" Configuration ~ This is the configuration that 95% of the people will be able to use with little or no side effects. It will also minimizes the amount of "errors" that is reported in the Event Viewer. This does not guarantee it will work for you, but if adjusting your services scares you, this configuration would be a good starting point.
• "BV's Current Config" ~ This is the configuration that I currently am using at home and have not found any issues with it. This does not guarantee it will work for you. 56 service settings have been changed from the default annotated by an (*) asterisk. This configuration is a system that is still able to perform many LAN networking functions, such as file and print sharing and uses wireless networking (laptop) plus leaves several security related "features" like the Windows Defender, Windows Firewall and Windows Update active.
• "Bare Bones" ~ WARNING(!!) ~ This configuration disables many built in features of Windows Vista as well as several security features. This configuration is not for a system that is directly connected to the internet as Windows Defender and Windows Firewall are disabled. This is not for a system that provides networked resources, such as printers, to other LAN connected computers. Use this configuration at your own risk. It is only provided here as a reference for me. If you wish to tweak your Vista OS, use "Safe."
Configuration Information
• Automatic ~ With a service in this state, it will start at boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled.
• Automatic (Delayed Start) ~ With a service in this state, it will start just after boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled.
• Manual ~ Manual mode allows Windows to start a service when needed. However, very few services will start up when required in Manual mode. If you find you need a service, place it into Automatic.
• Disabled ~ This setting will stop a service from starting, even if needed. Errors in the Event Viewer will show up complaining of that fact. Some services, while Disabled, will constantly complain. However, this situation is taken care of if placed in Manual. The service descriptions identifies those that should be in Manual vice Disabled.
• "Started" ~ A service that either set to Manual or Automatic that is running by default at or shortly after boot time.
• "Not Started" ~ A service set into Automatic that is not running by default at or shortly after boot time.
Windows Vista Service Configurations
Windows Vista Service Configurations
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Have Two Windows on the Screen Simulataneously
You can have two application windows open at the same time side by side if you just follow the trick
Open an application window
Open an another application and hold CTRL
Click the application window you want it to title with
Choose the desired Style
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use Flash Memory to Boost Performance
Plugin your Flash memory
Open Start menu and click Computer
Right click the device and click Properties
Select “ReadyBoost” Tab and choose “Use this device”
Use the bar to set the amount of space you want to use to boost your PC performance
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vista DVD Repair Your Computer Options
Windows XP had Recovery Console, Windows Vista has Repair Your Computer. Both have a part to play in repairing your PC but the Windows Vista Repair your computer option is far more user friendly.
To access the repair your computer options proceed as follows:
1/ Switch on your PC
2/ Quickly insert the Vista DVD into your CD/DVD-ROM drive
3/ A message will appear asking you to 'Press any key to boot from CD/DVD
4/ Press any key
5/ A black screen will now appear with a progress bar along the bottom. The legend say's 'Windows is loading files'
6/ After the files have been loaded the Language screen will appear.
7/ At the Install Windows Screen press the Repair Your Computer option
8/ Windows will now search for an operating system
9/ After Windows had searched your system select the operating system from the System recovery options box and press the Next button. If you only have one operating system on your machine, this will be the only one highlighted.
10/ A list of recovery tools now appears as follows:
Startup Repair - automatically fixes problems that are preventing Windows from starting.
System Restore - restores Windows to an earlier point in time
Windows Complete PC Restore - restore your entire computer from a backup. You must have created a backup before you can use this option.
Windows Memory Diagnostics - checks your computer for memory hardware errors
Command Prompt - opens a command prompt window
11/ Click on the option you require and follow the onscreen instructions


Shrink A Partition From Within Vista
For the first time a windows operating system is now capable of shrinking your hard drive partition without the need for third party software such as Partition Magic, Acronis Disk Director or Paragon Partition Manager. These last three software applications are not redundant however. Windows Vista's disk management still can't handle everything that Partition Manager, Acronis Disk Director or Paragon Partition Manager can, but at least it is a start.
To shrink a partition proceed as follows:
1/ Click the Start button
2/ From the Start menu click Control Panel
3/ In Control Panel click the Administrative Tools Icon
4/ In Administrative Tools click the Computer Management option
5/ Because Computer management requires administrative privileges you may find the the User Account Control will pop up. If it does then enter the required information (if you are not the administrator) or, if you are the administrator, click the Continue button
6/ In the Computer Management window look at the list of options on the left of the window. Under Storage you will see the Disk management. Click on this option
7/ When the Disk Management window opens Right Click on the partition you want to shrink and, from the drop down menu click on the Shrink Volume option
8/ In the Shrink Volume window Enter, in the appropriate box, the amount you want to shrink the partition
9/ Ensure that the 'Total size after shrink' is the size you finally want and then Click the Shrink button
10/ Windows will now shrink the partition by the amount you stipulated

Extend A Partition From Within Vista
For the first time a windows operating system is now capable of extending your hard drive partition without the need for third party software such as Partition Magic, Acronis Disk Director or Paragon Partition Manager. These last three software applications are not redundant however. Windows Vista's disk management still can't handle everything that Partition Manager, Acronis Disk Director or Paragon Partition Manager can, but at least it is a start.
To Extend a partition proceed as follows:
1/ Click the Start button
2/ From the Start menu click Control Panel
3/ In Control Panel click the Administrative Tools Icon
4/ In Administrative Tools click the Computer Management option
5/ Because Computer management requires administrative privileges you may find the the User Account Control will pop up. If it does then enter the required information (if you are not the administrator) or, if you are the administrator, click the Continue button
6/ In the Computer Management window look at the list of options on the left of the window. Under Storage you will see the Disk management. Click on this option
7/ When the Disk Management window opens Right Click on the partition you want to extend and, from the drop down menu click on the Extend Volume option
8/ The Extend Volume Wizard will now run
9/ Click the Next button
10/ Type in the number of Megabytes you want to extend the partition and then Click the Next Button
11/ Windows Vista will now start to extend your partition.
12/ Finally Click the Finish Button

Prevent System Restore Points Being Lost When Dual Booting With Windows XP
If you are running Windows XP and Windows Vista as a dual boot machine, you may have noticed that, after booting to Windows XP and then booting back to Windows Vista, the system restore points in Windows Vista disappear. This, apparently, is caused by Windows XP's shadow copying and, according to Microsoft, will not be fixed as it would require extensive alterations to the code of Windows XP in order to repair the problem.
While there is no real update fix for this problem which, incidentally, can be extremely annoying, there is a workaround - well, actually three workarounds, as follows.
Workaround 1
This first workaround relies upon the Bitlocker encryption feature. By enabling Bitlocker Encryption either via an onboard TPM chip or a removable USB pen drive you can, effectively, stop Windows XP from removing system restore points from Windows Vista.
Workaround 2
Another option, which is simpler if you don't want to go down the Bitlocker Encryption route is to install a third party boot manager, such as BootITNG.
Workaround 3
Another route you could go down is that of Virtual Machine software such as Microsoft VPC 2007 (Free) or VMWare Workstation 6.0 (around £100 ($200)).
Virtual Machine software can't, however, be run on Vista Basic or Vista Premium as it invalidates the Vista Ender User Licence Agreement. VM Software can be installed on Vista Business and Ultimate.
One thing you must ensure is that you have sufficient memory to run two operating systems at the same time.

Remove Windows Vista From Dual Boot System
Windows Vista works slightly different from earlier versions of Windows when installed on a dual boot system, in that it has a completely different boot loader.
When Windows Vista is first installed as a dual boot operating system a new boot folder is added to the root directory of your PC. This is a hidden file and therefore is not noticed. When you boot your PC a menu appears with the following options:
Earlier versions of Windows
Windows Vista
Clicking the Windows Vista option will boot the PC into Windows Vista. If, however, you select the earlier versions of Windows option, another menu will appear from which you can choose Windows XP or whatever earlier version - Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 server - you installed first.
Because of this new boot loader it is no as easy to remove Vista from a dual boot system scenario. Simply deleting the Vista partition will, of course, remove Windows Vista, but, unfortunately, it will not remove the Windows Vista boot loader. For this reason, if you simply delete the Windows Vista partition, on rebooting your machine you will not automatically boot into Windows XP (or an earlier version). Instead you will once again be presented with a menu from which you have to choose which operating system you wish to boot to.
Obviously, once you have removed the boot loader and rebooted the Vista operating system will still be on the partition you originally installed it on. To remove Vista completely you will need to Delete the partition that Windows Vista was installed upon.
To remove this menu, or more to the point, the boot loader, proceed as follows:
1/ Boot the PC to Windows Vista
2/ Ensure you are logged onto the Internet and then download the freeware boot loader utility VistaBootPro (www.vistabootpro.org)
3/ Once you have downloaded VistaBootPro, install it on your machine
4/ During Install VistaBootPro will install an icon on your desktop
5/ Locate the VistaBootPro icon and Right Click on it. Then, from the drop down menu, Click on the Run As Administrator option
6/ User Account Control (UAC) will pop up and ask for permission to run the program
7/ After you have given UAC permission - you must be the administrator or have administrator privileges - VistaBootPro will run.
8/ Once VistaBootPro opens, Click on the Bootloader tab
9/ In the Bootloader Maintenance section, Click on the Radio button next to the option marked 'Uninstall the Vista Bootloader (Used to restore Legacy OS) option' and then Click the Apply button
10/ Finally Reboot your PC
11/ On rebooting your machine you will boot directly into Windows XP (or an earlier operating system). No menu will appear.
12/ All that is left to do now is to delete the partition which originally contained Windows Vista. (Assuming you wish to remove the Vista partition from your hard drive).

Remove OEM Branding From PC
Most new PCs are from branded manufacturer's and all of them insist upon letting you know exactly who you purchased your pc from by branding anything and everything within Windows Vista. They put their own toolbar images on the windows toolbar. They include their own title pages and a host of other, in my opinion, un-necessary page branding. We know who made the pc, we don't need it throwing in our faces.

Please Note

These instruction will remove the OEM branding from your machine. While you may feel that the branding is intrusive, I should point out that removing it may affect your pc's warranty. Therefore, if you intend removing the branding completely I suggest you leave it until after your warranty has expired.

To remove OEM (original Equipment manufacturer) branding do the following.

1/ Click Start

2/ On the Start menu click Run

3/ If the Run dialogue box is not available you will need to click on all programs>accessories and then click the Run option

4/ In the Run dialogue box type: 'Rundll32 IedkCS32.dll, BrandCleanInstallStubs' (without the quotes) and press OK

5/ User Account Control (UAC) will pop up a permissions dialogue box. If you are the administrator then simply press the Continue button. If you are not the administrator then you will need the administrator password before you can continue.

6/ Once you have give User Account Control the relevant permissions the the command in step 5 above will be executed and all OEM branding should now disappear.

Accessing Files On Your Vista Install DVD
Contributor: Bruce Ogden
Please Note
The steps outlined below are somewhat complex and are more suited to the advanced user than that of the beginner.
The Windows Vista files are included on a single install.wim file located on your Windows Vista DVD.
In order to access the WIM file you need to first download a copy of the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK for short).
The AIK contains a utility called Imagex, which enables you to mount a WIM file so that its contents can easily be accessed via a command prompt or Windows Explorer.
As the AIK is downloaded as a large .img file (approx 993MB) you will require an application to either burn or open the file ready for installing.
Any CD/DVD recording software capable of burning a .img file such as Nero or a freeware application such as BurnOn CD/DVD can be used to burn the contents of the file to DVD.
Once you have opened the file, install it to your computer
Once the Windows AIK is installed, navigate to your C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86 folder, and right-click on wimfltr.inf . From the menu select Install. (at this point Windows User Account Control will ask permission to execute the command.) This will activate wimfltr.sys and install the WIM File System Filter which is necessary for WIM file management, enabling browsing and editing of WIM file contents.
Once the WIM file system filter has been installed, you will be able to mount the WIM file. To do this proceed as follows:
1/ Create a folder on your hard drive to store the WIM file. This can be something like: D:\Mountvista, depending upon the drive or partition you wish to store the file on.
2/ Next click Start>All Programs>Accessories. From the Accessories menu, Right Click on the Command Prompt option and select Run As Administrator
3/ The User Account Control window will open. If you are the administrator then simply click the Continue button. If you are not the administrator then you will need the administrator user name and password before you can continue.
4/ In the Command Prompt window type: cd C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86 (assuming you're running on an x86 architecture box) to navigate to the folder containing Imagex.
5/ Now insert your Windows Vista DVD into your DVD-ROM
6/ Mount the Imagex file using the following syntax from the command prompt window: imagex < /mount or mountrw > (for read and write abilities) <location, name of WIM file > <image number to open Wim file> <path to access Wim contents> for example: C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools|x86>imagex /mount E:\Sources\install.wim 1 d:mountvista (where E: is the drive letter of your DVD drive)
7/ Modification of the WIM file can be made via the command prompt window or Windows Explorer
8/ Once you have completed editing the file, use the /Unmount switch. If you wish to save your alterations you also need to add the /Commit switch, i.e., C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>imagex /unmount /commit D:Mountvista