The WinSxS (Windows Side-by-Side, located in %windir%\WinSxS) folder is a critical component of Windows Vista. It contains files that are necessary for adding or removal of programs, uninstalling components, and installing certain system updates. Unfortunately, the folder also has a tendency to swell in size, taking up large amounts of disk space (up to 6GB to 10GB or more).
Under no circumstances should you ever manually delete items from this folder. Doing so can interfere with critical system functions and may eventually lead to a situation in which you need to reinstall Windows Vista. However, one user has developed a tool that can safely remove unnecessary files from this directory, saving large amounts of hard drive space.
Fix
Christian Bering Boegh has created a tool called WinsxsLite, which works by deleting some unnecessary files and, in their place, linking to the latest versions of the same files (the WinSxS folder, by default, contains duplicates of many files). You can download the latest version of WinsxsLite (1.8.6) here. An instruction file is included–be sure to read it thoroughly before running the tool.
Note, however, the following stern warning: “WinsxsLite makes irreversible changes to the entire system partition. The only way to undo these changes, is to restore the system partition from a backup taken before running WinsxsLite.” In other words, unless you really need the 3GB or so that WinsxsLite will likely recover, you’re better off leaving the WinSxS folder alone.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 4th, 2009. 12 Comments. 
Several users have encountered an issue in which Windows Vista improperly starts up, displaying only a black screen and a movable cursor. This problem is sometimes referred to as the “black screen of death” (KSOD). There are three fixes for this issue: one is extremely simple and should be tried first. The other two are more involved and require system file modification.
Fixes
Startup in safe mode with networking In some cases, all that is required to fix this issue is to boot Windows Vista in safe mode. To do this, tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly as the computer is starting up. Select safe mode with networking. Once the system is booted in safe mode, you may be asked to install updates–do so. Alternatively, after you’ve started in safe mode, you may be asked to install updates or restore the system after you boot again in normal mode. Either way, the simple act of booting in safe mode and applying the updates appears to fix this issue in some cases.
Disable the event log After the black screen with cursor appears, press the shift key several times (5 to 10 times). A window should appear that reads “Go to the Ease of Access Center to disable the keyboard shortcut.” Click on that item, then follow these instructions:
- In the explorer window that appears, clear the address entry and type MSCONFIG then press enter. Run MSCONFIG.
- Uncheck the two items in selective startup and press apply, then restart the computer.
- The computer should start normally. Now click the Start button and type MSCONFIG again, then press enter. Uncheck Windows Event Log and Windows Event Collector, then restart the system.
Use the Vista repair disc Failing the aforementioned, you may need to use a more involved process that requires use of the Windows Vista disc. The steps are outlined here.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 4th, 2009. 7 Comments.
Today, Microsoft released the first Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC1) [Download here]. Many users are likely to encounter a variety of issues, such as startup problems, application crashes, performance hiccups and more, after the update. Here’s a run-down of the best methods for preventing these issues and making your update experience a smooth one:
Backup First and foremost, a full backup should be performed prior to any major system update. Your best bet is to use a tool that can create a complete, bootable backup of your primary volume. If major problems ensue post-update, you will have working copy of your current applications and documents that can be put into use immediately. Acronis True Image is one such tool. Alternatively, you can use Windows Vista’s built-in backup tools.
Make sure your system meets requirements Requirements for Windows 7 are as follows:
- 1 GHz processor (32- or 64-bit)
- 1 GB RAM (32-bit); 2 GB of RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit); 20 GB of avaiable disk space (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Check for spyware Next, eliminate any spyware or malware that might interfere with the update process or create conflicts after your system is updated. Various free or inexpensive tools, including Ad-Aware and Spybot are available for this purpose.
Disable antivirus software until after installation After you’ve made sure that your system doesn’t have any viruses or spyware, you will actually want to disable antivirus software until after you’ve completed the Windows 7 upgrade. Some antivirus programs can cause conflicts with Windows 7–for instance, Kaspersky may cause a BSOD.
Kill any unnecessary startup processes Eliminating any unnecessary startup processes, or removing all third-party startup processes, can reduce compatibility headaches that often follow major system updates. Launch the System Configuration utility by clicking “Windows” then entering “System Configuration” in the search bar and pressing return. Click on the “Startup” tab and remove any unnecessary items, then restart.
Disable non-essential services Many freezes after Windows upgrades are the result of problematic third-party system services. Follow our guide for disabling non-essential services before running the Windows 7 upgrade.
Update drivers Check manufacturers’ websites for the latest driver editions for any third-party devices that are connected to your system. Many manufacturers have already updated their drivers for basic compatibility with Windows 7.
Disconnect any unnecessary devices Aside from your keyboard, mouse, monitor and network connectivity, virtually all external device should be disconnected from your system right before you install Windows 7. Disconnecting these devices can preclude a variety of issues. Once the update is applied, you can reconnect the devices one by one and check for compatibility issues.
Get your devices working Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Windows 7 upgraders involves hardware incompatibility. Many devices will be rendered temporarily unusable by the new OS or exhibit compatibility problems that will make them not worth using. See our guide to getting devices to work with the new OS.
If installation fails You may encounter in which Windows 7 installation fails at the very end of the process, with the system rebooting automatically as soon as the Windows 7 splash screen appears. The system then displays a message indicating that it was not shut down properly. A fix for this issue can be found here.
Windows 7 may also fail to install, giving the error message “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information.” Generally this error occurs in situations in which multiple disks are connected to the system.
In order to eliminate this issue, disconnect any disks that are formatted as “dynamic disks.” Dynamic disk volumes cannot be changed back to partitions, causing the Windows 7 installation process to fail. Simply disconnect any external or internal hard disks that are formatted as dynamic disks then re-attempt installation.
If you are upgrading from a previous pre-release build of Windows 7 If you are using a previous pre-release build of Windows 7, such as build 7100, you will not be able to directly update to the RC. Instead, you will need to follow a series of steps provided by Microsoft to bypass the normal upgrade routine.
Feedback? info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under Windows 7 by on May 5th, 2009. Comment.
Some users have begun to experience sudden unexpected shutdowns, generally after the computer is idle for some time, after installing Windows 7 RC1. These shutdowns occur most often when the power usage setting is set to default (balanced).
Fixes
Uninstall hardware drivers In some cases, this issue appears to be caused by installation of incompatible hardware drivers. Try uninstalling any recently installed third-party drivers then restarting. To do this, click the Start button then navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Device Manager. Right-click any recently installed third-party items and select “Uninstall” then restart.
Turn off hybrid sleep You may also want to try going to Power > Advanced > Sleep and turning off “Allow hybrid sleep.”
If you are experiencing a similar issue or know of a solution, please let us know at info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under Windows 7 by on May 5th, 2009. Comment.
Some users have reported an issue in which certain games will not run with OpenGL capabilities under Windows 7 RC1. This issue is most likely to occur when User Account Control (UAC) is enabled. The problem can be easily resolved by turning UAC off, but there’s another fix.
Fix
In order to workaround this issue, right-click the .exe file of the game you are trying to play and select “Run As Administrator.”
Filed under Windows 7, games by on May 5th, 2009. 1 Comment.
Some users are experiencing crashes or blue screens of death (BSODs) under Windows 7 RC1 when attempting to wake systems from sleep (hibernation). The first response to this issue is generally to disable sleep mode, but there is another fix.
Fix
Enter your system’s BIOS mode. This is accomplished by pressing a specific key repeatedly as soon as your computer is turned on (or right after it is restarted). For many computers, the key is F8, but it may be F1, F2, F10, the Delete (del) key or the Escape (ESC) key. Consult your computer or motherboard’s manual or try different keys until you find the right one.
Next check your HDD or storage settings. Turn off SATA and reboot normally.
Filed under Windows 7 by on May 5th, 2009. 4 Comments.
Windows 7 RC1 breaks compatibility with some antivirus/anti-malware programs that were compatible with previous pre-release builds of the operating system. Users are reporting problems with:
- avast! Home Edition
- AVG Anti-Virus Free
- Symantec AV Corporate Edition
Some developers are already working on Windows 7 RC1-compatible updates to their antivirus programs. A post in the AVG forums, for instance, states “This is a known issue, and it is planning to be fixed in one of the future updates of AVG 8.”
Note, however, that some antivirus program error messages do not necessarily indicate that your system is unprotected. If, for example, you receive an error message indicating that that antivirus program is still on but is not properly reporting its status to Windows (as displayed below), you may still be protected.
In the meantime, we have compiled a list of antivirus applications that appear to be compatible with Windows 7 RC1.
Feedback? info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under Viruses/Malware, Windows 7 by on May 5th, 2009. 3 Comments.
Microsoft has released an update for Internet Explorer 8 that resolves an issue in which users receive the message “A webpage is not responding” under Windows 7 RC1. Microsoft describes the problem thusly:
“Windows 7 RC includes a feature in Internet Explorer 8 that helps users recover from unresponsive Web sites. This feature uses a timer to detect when a Web page has become unresponsive. On low performance computers or on computers under high load conditions, the time-out value is frequently exceeded. Therefore, you frequently receive the error message that is described in the Symptoms section.”
To resolve this issue, run Windows Update in Windows 7 RC1. This will apply the fix. You must restart your computer after applying the update.
Filed under Internet Explorer 8, Windows 7 by on May 6th, 2009. 1 Comment.
Several users have experienced an issue in which Windows XP PCs cannot see Windows 7 PCs on the same network and/or vice versa. Fortunately, this issue is usually due only to configuration issues and can be easily fixed:
Fixes
Change network setting to home or work If you have your group set to “Public” in the Network and Sharing Center in Windows 7, the system will be undiscovrable by Windows XP machines on the network. Open your Control Panel, then select Network and Sharing Center, and change the setting to either “Work” or “Home.” Make sure that all computers are using the same group.
Make sure Network Discovery is turned on In Windows 7, go back to the Network and Sharing Center in the Control Panel, and make sure that the “Network Discovery” option is set to “On.”
You may need to restart your computer after applying these changes.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows XP by on May 6th, 2009. 17 Comments.
The Windows 7 RC1 roll-out, while smooth overall, hit a rough patch with some users. Problems run the gamut, from minor networking issues and gaming hiccups, to more serious boot failures and BSODs. Here’s a look at the top 7 annoyances plaguing early Windows 7 adopters, and the associated fixes.
1. Installation Fails
You won’t get much further on this list, or with Windows 7 in general, if the RC1 installation fails. Several users have experienced a problem in which the installer gives the error message “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information.” Generally this error occurs in situations in which multiple disks are connected to the system. In order to eliminate this issue, disconnect any disks that are formatted as “dynamic disks.”
Meanwhile, some users have encountered an issue in which Windows 7 installation fails at the very end of the process, with the system rebooting automatically as soon as the Windows 7 splash screen appears. The system then displays a message indicating that it was not shut down properly.
This issue is, in most cases, due to a graphics card driver issue. One potential remedy is as follows:
- Turn your system off
- Disconnect your monitor from the DVI port and instead connect it to the VGA port on your system (this will require a different cable)
- Turn your system back on and reinstall Windows 7–the process should complete properly
- Disable Windows Update automatic update (in control panel>System>Automatic updates)
- Go to your motherboard or graphics card manufacturer’s website and download the latest Windows Vista driver(s); install the driver(s).
- Turn your system off and connect your monitor via the DVI port again
2. BSODs
Yup, they still exist in Windows 7. The most common cause of blue screens of death (BSOD) at startup, under Windows 7 RC1, is an antivirus software conflict. In some cases, this problem may be caused by a conflict with the Kaspersky Antivirus package. Follow these steps to disable the software.
Some users are also experiencing crashes or blue screens of death (BSODs) under Windows 7 RC1 when attempting to wake systems from sleep (hibernation). The first response to this issue is generally to disable sleep mode, but there is another fix.
Enter your system’s BIOS mode. This is accomplished by pressing a specific key repeatedly as soon as your computer is turned on (or right after it is restarted). For many computers, the key is F8, but it may be F1, F2, F10, the Delete (del) key or the Escape (ESC) key. Consult your computer or motherboard’s manual or try different keys until you find the right one. Next check your HDD or storage settings. Turn off SATA and reboot normally.
Read more on The 7 Biggest Windows 7 RC1 Problems (and Fixes)…
Filed under Windows 7 by on May 7th, 2009. 8 Comments.