The Libraries feature was introduced in Windows 7 as part of the updated Explorer application. It allows you to consolidate multiple folders under a single Library so that content across various locations can be aggregated in a single folder-like view. The default libraries created in Windows are intended to group similar content like Pictures, Videos, Music and Documents. For example, the two Pictures folders - the one for your user account and the Public (Shared) pictures folder - are both included in the Pictures Library. You can add your own folders to any custom or predefined library. By default, Windows shows folders inside a library in the order in which you added those folders. You might be interested in reorganizing them and change their display order. It is a very simple, but not so obvious feature of Libraries. In this article, we will see how to re-order folders inside any Windows library.
How to create a copy for a file quickly in Explorer
Copying is one of the easiest things in Windows and is extremely simple ever since Windows 95. In this article, I would like to save your time a little and share with you how to make a backup copy with just two keyboard shortcuts - this is the fastest way I know.
Tip: Rename multiple files at once in File Explorer in Windows 8.1, Windows 8 and Windows 7
You can rename a single file in Explorer by selecting it and pressing F2. What if you wanted to rename many files at once? Many alternative file management apps have the ability to rename several files at once. For example, Total Commander comes with a really impressive "Multi-Rename" Tool, which supports search and replace, regular expressions, case conversion and many other useful options. But did you know that Explorer, the default file manager of Windows 8, also lets you rename multiple files at once. The feature is a bit crude - you get little control over how to rename more than one file but if you only wanted to rename a folder full of pictures or music tracks serially, it is possible.
How to assign browser-like zooming hotkeys for resizing icons on the Desktop and in the Explorer window in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
In our previous article, we reviewed a trick which allows you to switch between File Explorer views quickly by holding down Ctrl key and scrolling with the mouse. Now I would like to share with you how to resize icons in the File Explorer window or on the Desktop with extra hotkeys. These hotkeys are used by default in all modern browsers for zooming in and out. Similarly, you will be able to zoom icons in Explorer windows quickly. The trick will work in Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1. Let's take a look.
Download CtrlWheelMouseZoom
CtrlWheelMouseZoom.
The Autohotkey script to change the icon size on the Desktop and in the Explorer window with extra browser-like hotkeys Ctrl++ and Ctrl+-.
How to resize icons quickly on the Desktop and in the Explorer window in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
In modern versions of Windows, File Explorer has the ability to show your files and folders at several different sizes and views. These sizes include Extra Large icons, Large icons, Medium icons, List, Details, Tiles and Content. To switch between views, you can use a set of hotkeys, or the appropriate Ribbon commands, or two tiny buttons on the Explorer status bar in the bottom right corner of the open window. In this article, we will review another method, which is very fancy and fast. What's great is that this same method also works on Windows 7 and Vista.
Tweak the hidden secret options of the Start screen and Charms with ModernUI Tuner
Windows 8, as everyone knows by now, comes with brand new user interface called "Modern UI". It features the Start screen, the Charms and the new PC Settings app which is designed for devices with touchscreens. In Windows 8.1 Update 1, Microsoft has improved some aspects of the Modern UI, made it more customizable and tweakable. However, some useful and interesting parameters are not accessible with the default set of options. My little freeware application, ModernUI Tuner, will allow you to control some mighty useful parameters. Let's take a closer look at the app.
Nature HD#43 theme for Windows 8
How to change the power plan from the command line or with a shortcut
In Windows 8, Windows 7 and earlier, you can choose from predefined power plans which are a group of several power-related settings. If you are running a laptop on battery, you can choose the "Power Saver" plan. If you are running a desktop PC which is on AC power, you can set the "High Performance" plan. To switch the power plan, Windows gives you only two options if you use the notification area power icon. One of them is always the "Balanced" plan. This is not ideal because you have to open the Control Panel and go to Control Panel\System and Security\Power Options to access all the available power plans. Today, we will show you how to save your time and switch the power plan directly from the command line or with a shortcut so you don't need to open Power Options Control Panel every time.
How to check in a batch file if you are running it elevated
Sometimes it is useful to check in a batch file if it was started from an elevated command prompt or as an administrator. I would like to share with you a trick which I am using to do this. The main idea of my trick is based on the value of the special environment variable %errorlevel% which stores the exit code for most console apps and commands. Let's see this in action.
