Here’s a free, easy and quick method for routinely eliminating performance bottlenecks in Windows 7.
Download and install Process Explorer, which is part of the Microsoft SysInternals package. Launch the program, and you’ll be presented a beautiful display of all processes currently running on your system, along with a bevy of information about each process, including which files it has open, how much processor time it is using and more.
The tool works just like Task Manager, in that it can quickly kill processes that are hung or sucking up lots of processor usage, thereby speeding up your system dramatically. To kill a process, just right-click it and select “Kill” (you can also suspend it). Look for any items that are using lots of processor time (in the CPU column) and aren’t
However, Process Explorer holds a few key advantages over task manager.
Read more on Speeding Up Windows 7 with Process Explorer…
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 18th, 2009. Comment. 
[We have already published two other fixes for this issue: turning off thumbnails and looking for a recently created or saved file that might be causing the problem. If they fail, try the following]
After upgrading to Windows Vista SP2, you may experience an issue in which you receive the error message “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” followed by a sudden quit of Windows Explorer or a disappearance of all on-screen windows, or a message that says “Windows Explorer will restart.”
Fix
This problem can often be solved by creating a new user account. To do this, follow these basic steps:
(note that if you can’t even get to the control panel to set up a new account, you can try booting in Safe Mode then creating a new user account [using the steps below] and logging into it, then restarting. To start in safe mode, 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. )
Instructions for creating a new user account:
- Click Start and select Control Panel
- Click “User Accounts”
- Under User Accounts and Family Safety, select Add or Remove User Accounts
- Click Create a new account
- Choose an account name and type it in
- Select standard or administrator
- Click Create Account
- Select the account again and create a password if desired
- Log in to the new account and check for persistence of the issue
Filed under Windows Vista by on Jun 19th, 2009. 4 Comments.
Under various versions of Windows, Windows Explorer may repeatedly crash either when certain actions are taken (e.g. right-clicking an item), after several minutes of use, or immediately after the system starts up. In some cases, the following error messages are displayed:
- “Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close”
The first thing you need to do, if this problem occurs as soon as your system starts up or whenever you click on any file or try to perform any other action, is download a copy of Universal Explorer, an alternative file viewer. This will at least allow you access to the system so that you can make changes and begin troubleshooting.
Next, begin with the following potential fixes:
Turn off DEP In some cases, Data Execution Prevention may be causing the crashes to occur. Turning this option off for Windows Explorer may leave your system more vulnerable to viruses and other malware, but may allow your system to function properly until you can find another workaround. To turn off DEP for Windows Explorer, follow these steps:
- Click the Start button
- Open the Control Panel
- Open System
- Select the “Advanced” tab
- Under “Performance,” choose Settings.
- Select the “Data Execution Prevention” tab.
- Select the option “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.”
- Click “Add…”
- Find Windows Explorer, which is generally located in c:\windows\explorer.exe and select it.
- Restart your system and check for persistence of the issue
Note that if Windows Explorer keeps crashing during the above steps, you can open the command line and type bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff and accomplish the same effect.
Disable Shell extensions The site HelpWithWindows suggests that errant shell extensions may be to blame for Windows Explorer crashes, especially in cases wherein the issue occurs upon right-clicking certain files.
Download and install the tool ShellExView. It will show the description, as well as version details, company information, location, file name and more of any installed shell extensions and allow you to disable them.
Start by disabling all third-party shell extensions, then restarting your computer. If Windows Explorer doesn’t continue crashing, you know that a shell extension is to blame. Start re-enabling them one-by-one or in groups until you identify the culprit, then leave it disabled.
Switch antivirus software As we have noted, the presence of two overlapping antivirus or antimalware/spyware/firewall tools can cause various conflicts. Users should install one (and only one) strong anti-virus package and make sure it’s up-to-date.
In addition, certain antivirus packages can conflict with installed system software while other antivirus packages are not.
If you have already tried the aforementioned workarounds, completely remove or disable all antivirus/spyware software (Norton 360, ZoneAlarm, AVG, etc.). In fact, you may need to uninstall the packages–simply disabling may not work.
Next, re-install one and only one solid antivirus/spyware tool. If the crashes still occur, uninstall that package and try a different one.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on Jun 23rd, 2009. 1 Comment.
Neowin reports that Windows 7 beta users who are still on build 7000 will start to experience bi-hourly shutdowns on July 1, 2009. The shutdowns are Microsoft’s mechanism to remind users to upgrade to build 7100. On August 1st, all betas will expire, and begin to show the “Windows not Genuine” message.
You can avoid this issue by downloading the public release candidate of Windows 7, which will be available until August 15, 2009.
Filed under News, Windows 7 by on Jun 25th, 2009. Comment.
Windows 7 is available in two flavors: 32-bit and 64-bit. The differences between these two editions boil down to one primary subject: memory. 64-bit systems can address more than 4GB of RAM, while 32-bit systems are generally limited to using roughly 3.2GB of RAM. In other words, if your system can run Windows 7 64-bit, you probably should do so.
The easiest way to check whether or not your computer is 64-bit capable is to download the tool SecurAble and run it. The program will instantly tell you the “maximum bit length” of your processor. If it’s 64, you can run Windows 7 64-bit. If it’s 32, you can only run Windows 7 32-bit.
Note that the only significant drawback to Windows 7 64-bit is that some hardware drivers may not be compatible with the architecture. Make sure you check the manufacturer websites for third-party peripherals, graphics cards and other components of your system to ensure 64-bit compatibility or download new 64-bit compatible editions.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 25th, 2009. 2 Comments.
It appears that Windows 7 beta testers who are using the publicly available release candidate of the new OS will need to uninstall the pre-release software and re-install their valid Windows XP or Windows Vista edition before applying the final Windows 7 upgrade.
Microsoft states:
“When you install the final version of Windows 7, you’ll need to do a clean installation. So plan on backing up your data then reinstalling your applications and restoring your data.”
However, if you are purchasing a discounted, upgrade edition of Windows 7, you will need to first perform a clean install of a genuine edition of Windows XP or Vista before proceeding with the final Windows 7 upgrade. Windows Vista can be directly upgraded to Windows 7, while Windows XP requires a clean installation.
Microsoft provides instructions on how to uninstall the Pre-release version of Windows 7 and revert to a previous genuine operating system.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 26th, 2009. 1 Comment.
Some users have reported an issue in which the Windows 7 Start Menu or “All Programs” listing is suddenly blank, displaying no icons, nor the names of any programs, shortcuts, etc.
It appears that this problem is due to Windows 7′s inability to handle a large number of listings, in some cases.
Fix
Greg Duncan has posted a fix for this issue. It involves moving a number of shortcuts/folders from Start Menu/Programs into a new subfolder, such as Start Menu/Programs/Stuff, and then restartng Windows Explorer. The process must be repeated until the icons appear. You can read the full fix at Greg’s blog.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 26th, 2009. 5 Comments.
Old .hlp (Windows help) files cannot be natively opened in Windows 7. Although Microsoft offers winhlp32.exe for the Windows 7, it generally displays the following message when attempting to open .hlp files:
“The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn’t included in this version of Windows. However, you can download a program that will allow you to view Help created in the Windows Help format.”
Fortunately, Komeil Bahmanpour has patched together a solution that can open these files in Windows 7. To use it, extract the CAB file’s content (from the previously mentioned link) into a folder and run (as administrator) Install.cmd.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 30th, 2009. 1 Comment.