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How to change the icon of a folder inside a Library

With Windows 7, Microsoft has introduced Libraries: a wonderful feature of the Explorer shell, which allows you to group multiple folders in a single view, even if they are located on different volumes. Searching through Libraries is also very fast, because Windows performs indexing of all locations which are included inside a Library.

If you use Libraries regularly, you might have noticed that when you open the Properties of a folder to change its icon, you are unable to do so because the Customize tab is missing from the folder's properties.

How to apply skins to Firefox Australis

Australis, the new interface of the Firefox browser, is the most radical change to its UI since the release of version 4. It is less customizable, and looks completely different compared to the current stable version. While some users like it, others are not impressed by its new look and want to disable Australis in Firefox and restore the classic appearance. However, there is good news for every Firefox user: now it is possible to customize the appearance of Firefox's Australis UI and apply cool skins to the browser.

Nature HD#30 theme for Windows 8

How to hide files quickly in Windows 8.1

There are a number of ways in Windows to hide files. In the dark ages of MS DOS, there was the 'attrib' command, which was able to set or remove the 'hidden' attribute (along with several others). In all modern Windows versions, the 'attrib' command is still available. You can use it from the command prompt. Microsoft keeps it for:

backward compatibility;
scripting attributes with batch files;
historical purpose.

However, that console command isn't the only way to hide files and folders. Windows Explorer has a similar checkbox option in the properties of a file. Even in File Explorer of Windows 8.1 it is still available:

How to create a shortcut to open Windows Update settings in Windows 8.1

Windows Update settings allow you to configure the frequency of updates. Using these settings, you can specify if you want to receive recommended updates or not; also you can enable updates for other MS products installed on your PC.
In Windows 8.1, Windows Update settings are included in the Modern Control Panel, which is touch friendly. It is included in the PC Settings application. Today I am going to share a way to create a shortcut to open Windows Update settings in Windows 8.1.

How to run Explorer as administrator on Windows 8.1, Windows 8 and Windows 7

As you may know, Windows Vista introduced some major changes to the security model of Windows, including User Account Control. What UAC does is introduce the concept of apps having the least privilege - only enough permissions that apps need to run should be granted to them and not full admin permissions, because if malware or bad apps run as admin, they can pretty much do any damage to your OS.

However, thanks to UAC, the user experience gets spoiled slightly and decades-old Windows users who were not used to this concept or who were not explained why it was introduced were bewildered when they migrated from Windows XP. They didn't understand why they were asked to confirm any action that does system level changes to their PC. One such application that shows considerable amount of UAC prompts if you are running Windows with the highest level of the UAC setting is File Explorer (formerly known as Windows Explorer). While Explorer does not show that many UAC prompts at the default UAC setting, the default UAC setting is not 100% foolproof. It is only secure against apps that assume admin level privileges to do bad things.

How to invert selection in File Explorer of Windows 8.1

File Explorer, formerly known as Windows Explorer, is the default file manager of Windows 8.1. Starting with Windows 8, it features the Ribbon interface, which exposes all the possible commands for quick access to regular file management features. Additionally, it offers you the quick access toolbar, where you can put any of your favorite commands.

Today we will look how we can use the Ribbon UI to manage the selection of items in File Explorer effectively.

Daily Bing #32 theme for Windows 8

Daily Bing #32

How to disable or enable Windows Defender in Windows 8.1

Windows Defender is an antivirus software which provides 'baseline protection' according to Microsoft and ships with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Since Windows 8, Windows Defender is the same application as Microsoft Security Essentials, which exists as a separate download for Windows 7, Vista and XP.

While Windows Defender provides very baseline protection, it slows down your PC considerably. I have done benchmarks with it enabled and then disabled and concluded that the filter driver it installs on the system slows down disk I/O noticeably. Every time, I download some small file from the Internet, it also makes my browser hang. If you are not happy with Windows Defender and would like to turn it off, follow this simple tutorial.

Create a shortcut to open Visual options of Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1, Microsoft has implemented the Modern Control Panel, which allows you to control your tablet with the a touch screen device in a handy way. It is touch friendly and includes many classic options. Those options are located inside the PC Settings application.
Using Visual options you can turn off notifications and animations, turn off the window background and adjust the thickness of the text cursor. Windows 8.1 allows you to create a shortcut to open Visual options with one click. Let's see how it can be done!