Windows User Interface

Questions relating to the general Windows user interface including the task bar, standard utilities, dialogs and related.

Can I Copy and Rename a file in a single step?
Windows Explorer is a fine tool, but there are still a few things you can't easily do with it. This calls for the Windows Command Prompt. (Continue reading...)

Can I avoid retyping error messages when I need to report them?
Windows error messages can often be quickly and easily copied to the clipboard with a single keystroke. (Continue reading...)

How do I change the icon of a desktop shortcut?
Creating a shortcut is easy and there's an interface for changing the icon. Though not obvious, there's a large selection of icons to choose from. (Continue reading...)

How do I find a file on my machine?
It's very easy to have Windows locate a file on your machine, but it's also easy to overlook a setting that will allow it to miss some as well. (Continue reading...)

How do I get Windows Explorer to display details by default?
Windows Explorer defaults to a simple view of the files on your machine. You can change that default to include all details by following a few steps. (Continue reading...)

How do I get a Windows program to always open maximized?
Some folks like to run programs maximized; taking up the entire screen. If a program doesn't do that automatically, here are some steps that may help. (Continue reading...)

How do I move my Windows XP taskbar back to the bottom of the screen? (Video)
Every so often, it's possible to end up with the Windows XP taskbar on the side, or even the top of your screen. It's a quick fix, as this video shows. (Continue reading...)

How do I remove the Documents item on my Start Menu?
Documents, or my Recent Documents, is Windows trying to be helpful by making it easy to access recent work. Sometimes it's a little too visible. (Continue reading...)

I accidentally deleted my Recycle Bin in Vista - how do I get it back?
It turns out to be fairly easy to accidentally delete the desktop Recycle Bin in Vista. Getting the Recycle Bin back is easy, just not obvious. (Continue reading...)

I can't see the top of a window, so I can't minimize, maximize or close - what can I do?
Sometimes windows can inadvertantly be positioned off screen, where your mouse can't reach them. The keyboard interface can. (Continue reading...)

I've lost my Windows Password! How can I log in?
If you have lost your Windows password there is no way to recover it, but all is not lost. (Continue reading...)

I've lost the password to my Windows Administrator account, how do I get it back?
It turns out that resetting an Windows account password is frighteningly easy, as long as you have access to the machine. (Continue reading...)

My TaskBar is too small to be useful, what can I do?
The Windows Task Bar is a very flexible piece of screen realestate. There are many things about it you can change, or fix if they change unexpectedly. (Continue reading...)

My desktop Recycle Bin has disappeared - why, and how do I get it back?
While there are many reasons as to why your Recycle Bin can disappear, there is a fairly easy way to get it back. (Continue reading...)

Pages I visit open in a tiny window, how do I make it bigger?
Occasionally a program will open up in a tiny window, too small to be useful. We'll look at a couple of approaches to dealing with tiny windows. (Continue reading...)

The task bar on my windows XP machine has become hidden, how do I get it back?
The task bar can appear hidden if it's configured to auto-hide, or if the size has been configured to be too small. (Continue reading...)

What's a Screen Shot, and how do I make one?
A screen shot is an image of your entire computer screen, and it is fairly easy to capture this image. (Continue reading...)

Where can I find a list of Windows' secret key combinations?
Microsoft has a list of helpful keyboard shortcuts in a knowledgebase article. (Continue reading...)

Where did file associations go in Windows Vista?
Several things are slightly different in Windows Vista, and the location of the File Associations dialog is just one. (Continue reading...)

Where is the Run command on Windows Start Menu?
Depending on your configuration and customization the Run command may not be visible on the Start menu. It's easy to make it show up. (Continue reading...)

Why are some of my file names blue?
Windows Explorer will display compressed files in blue. Files can be compressed to save disk space, but there are ramifications to consider. (Continue reading...)

Why can I not find a file that Windows search tells me is there?
In an effort to avoid confusion, Windows will hide certain files and folders by default. Naturally that often leads to more confusion. (Continue reading...)

Why do I get "Access is Denied" when trying to copy a file?
Copying a file requires that you have access to both the source file and the intended destination. There are several reasons you might not. (Continue reading...)

Why is there more than one "RECYCLER" folder on my machine, and why don't they all empty when I empty the Recycle Bin?
Windows tries to help protect you from accidentally deleting files with the Recycle Bin. How the Recycle Bin appears on disk can be a little confusing. (Continue reading...)