Life Rocks 2.0 » XP

How to Find out the Boot time of Windows

Nirmal — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:46:37 +0000

Boot Timer is a small freeware utility which can help you to find out the total time taken for booting Windows OS. This utility is specially useful when you want to compare the boot time after applying some tweak. Download the utility and run the executable file. This utility will ask permission to reboot.

After reboot, you will first get a message asking you to not use the mouse or keyboard for some time. After that it gives you the boot time for Windows.

This utility does not take into effect the time taken to go through BIOS or BIOS bootup password. It takes the time from the instant BIOS starts loading Windows.

One thing which is not clear is that whether it takes in consideration the login time of Windows. When I ran this utility, I had the CTRL +ALT +DEL logon.

Boot Timer is supported in Windows XP and Vista.

Download Boot Timer

Improve ALT+TAB Experience in Window XP with TaskSwitchXP

Nirmal — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:46:05 +0000

One of the widely used command for switching windows is ALT +TAB. TaskSwitchXP is an advanced task management utility which free and gives you more than the standard ALT+TAB switching. It provides the same functionality, and adds visual styles to the dialog and also enhances it by displaying thumbnail preview of the application that will be switched to.

TaskSwitchXP supports a few built-in interface schemes. It dynamically adapts to the selected Windows XP theme, provides customizable font and color settings for each user in the system. You can also choose preview and list styles, appearance effects, opacity of the switcher window and more.

TaskSwitchXP is fully customizable and settings are stored separately for each user. It also has keyboard shortcuts for almost all jobs, you can view them from here. TaskSwitchXP is currently supported only on Windows XP and 2003.

Switch Windows Quickly in Vista with Switcher

Nirmal — Sat, 31 May 2008 18:59:25 +0000

Switcher is a free application which can give more control over your open windows in Vista. Switcher allows you to See all your windows on one screen, quickly search through them, even decorate them with your favorite colors and fonts. Switcher runs in taskbar and will start whenever Windows starts. Once Switcher is running, press Windows+~ to begin switching between windows.

In case you have lots of windows open, you can search for windows. Start typing the text of the window you’re trying to find. A search box will automatically appear, and the windows will move and hide themselves until only the ones matching your text appear.

Switcher also allows you to select and adjust fonts, colors, sizes, and positions. You can also change the shortcut for switching windows.

Download Switcher

How to Make Folder Views Consistent across Vista

Nirmal — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:54:35 +0000

Compared to Windows XP, Vista has more options in folder views. The folder views may not be consistent across all folders. Sometimes one folder will shows list details and other one shows folders in thumbnails. Many times you would like to see same folder views across all folders in Vista. Setting the folder view same across all folders is a simple step.

To set folder views same across all folders, first select the folder view which you would like to have from the views menu.

Once you have select the view, click Organize menu and select Folder and Search Options. Select View tab in the dialog and click the Apply to Folders button to have this view across all folders.

Now check the folders and you can see the same view across all folders. This method applies to Windows XP as well.