The WinSxS folder, which is located inside the C:\Windows folder, represents the Component Store in modern Windows versions like Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. In that folder, Windows stores its system files which are then hard linked to C:\Windows\system32. It is hard to say how much disk space is exactly used by the WinSxS folder, because it contains many hardlinks, so File Explorer just shows the wrong folder size. Let's see how we can view the correct size of the WinSxS folder.
Author: Sergey Tkachenko
How to pin folders, drives, files or any shortcut to the Taskbar in Windows 8 and Windows 7
Microsoft introduced a redesigned taskbar in Windows 7, which got rid of the Quick Launch toolbar. Even though Quick Launch can be put back, the larger icons on the new Taskbar are better for today's resolutions. Also, with the new Taskbar, Microsoft added 1-click pinning of items. Unfortunately, not everything can be pinned to the Taskbar. For example, folders or disk drives cannot be pinned directly, nor can you pin files directly. Pinning Control Panel items, Libraries, special commands also isn't easy. Luckily, Winaero has Taskbar Pinner for our readers.
How to enable or disable the hidden Administrator account in Windows 8
The "Administrator" account is present in all versions of Windows based on NT but starting with Windows XP it is disabled by default. Additionally, in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Vista, even when you create a new admin-level account, it still requires UAC elevation. The default account named "Administrator" remains disabled and hidden. If you boot Windows into Safe Mode then it is enabled. However, you can unhide and enable the Administrator account if you want.
How to display Administrative tools on the Start screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
Administrative Tools in Windows are system management apps to change important settings of operating system. They include the Disk Management tool, Local Group Policy, Local Users and Group Management, Computer Management, Services and many other important management console tools. By default, they are hidden from the Start screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. To access these tools, you need to use the Control Panel. There you will find them under Control Panel\System and Security\Administrative tools. If you are using them frequently, you might want to show them on the Start screen.
Castles theme for Windows 8
How to show the App bar for a Tile on the Start screen in Windows 8.1 Update
One of the changes in Windows 8.1 Update is a new context menu for tiles on the Start screen. Previously, in Windows 8 RTM and Windows 8.1 RTM, right clicking on the tile made the App bar appear at the bottom of the screen. In Windows 8.1 Update it does not show anymore and is replaced with context menus which actually have the same commands. The App bar is shown now only when you are working in Windows 8 using the touch screen and you press and hold on a tile. However, if you preferred using the App bar, follow the instructions in this article to show it even if you don't have a touch screen.
How to select multiple tiles on the Start screen in Windows 8.1 Update
Windows 8.1 Update 1 brings some changes to the Start screen to make it friendlier for classic Desktop users. The App Bar that appeared when you right clicked on tiles is now replaced by a new context menu. Before the update, you could select multiple tiles with just right click, but now when you right click on some tile, the rest of tiles get unselected and the Start screen shows the context menu. Let's see how to select multiple tiles using other ways.
How to lock your PC and turn off the display with one click
In Windows, you can lock your PC for security reasons using the Win + L shortcut. If you have not changed the default power management settings, the display will be turned off after 10 minutes. Windows does not provide a native way to turn off display directly on demand by running a command or pressing some button. If you are leaving your PC for a long time, you might want to lock your PC and turn off the monitor instantly with one click. It can be done via a simple script.
How to tweak or disable UAC in Windows 8.1
In Windows Vista, Microsoft implemented a new security feature called User Account Control (UAC). It tries to prevent malicious apps from doing potentially harmful things on your PC. Before the administrator-level (elevated) action is allowed, UAC asks permission from the user to go ahead with it, or cancel the request. UAC has some settings which can affect its behavior. In this article we will look how to change those settings or disable UAC completely.
Nature HD#40 theme for Windows 8
