9 Amazing yet Simple Windows 7 hacks
March 16, 2009 at 08:03:35 AM, by Blair Mathis
If you perform a Google search for Windows 7 hacks right now, hundreds if not thousands of websites clutter the search results page. One can easily lose their patience tracking hacks, determining what build they apply to, and validating that they work.
We’ve set out to organize this clutter into a neatly condensed guide that lists the top 9 Windows 7 Hacks out there. We’ve also made some effort to categorize the hacks by build number, you’ll also notice that some of these are borderline hacks, but are referred to as such so I’m sticking to the description. The list below will include the hacks along with some instructions to perform the hack, you will also be provided with the original sources should you want to follow up on them. If you know of any other Windows 7 hacks or think of a better way to hack Windows 7, feel free to share. Please Note: The hacks listed below are intended for specific builds of Windows 7, some hacks work on some builds of Windows 7, and some may only work on one version. An attempt has been made to identify which hack works on which build. Note the Hack number followed by build number, i.e. Hack 1 (6801) means that this hack has been proven to work on build 6801.
Hack 1(6801) – Enable New Windows Taskbar in Build 6801
When Microsoft made Build 6801 available to the public they left out several features that users have been waiting for, among those was the new Windows taskbar to enable the taskbar follow the instructions below.
1. Click on the Start Menu and type “cmd” into the search box, click to open cmd.exe (Command Prompt).
2. Once opened type the following commands in bold;
A. takeown /f %windir%explorer.exe
B. cacls %windir%explorer.exe /E /G User-Name:F (Note: Replace User-Name with your user name in windows 7)
C. taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
D. cd %windir%
3. Before proceeding you must download and extract the following file to the Windows directory (C:Windows) Note: You must choose the correct version below.
A. 32-bit Download
B. 64-bit Download
4. With the Command Prompt open type start unlockProtectedFeatures.exe
5. Restart your computer
Hack 2 (6801) - Enable Windows Aero in Windows 7
Just because Microsoft thinks your computer can’t handle it doesn’t mean they should keep you from trying it. This was the case with Windows Aero in Windows 7, the hack below forces Aero on your PC so that you can enjoy the beauty of transparency. Before proceeding make sure you backup your registry
1. Click on the Start Menu and type “regedit” into the search box, click to open the regedit.exe icon when the program appears in the search results.
2. Locate the following Key HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsDWM
3. In the pane to the right of the key hierarchy, right-click on the white space and select New > DWORD (32 bit) Value.
4. When the value appears name it UseMachineCheck.
5. Repeat and create 2 more DWORD Values, Blur and Animations
6. Double-click the value you just created (UseMachineCheck) and enter 0 in the Value Data box. Do the same for Values Blur and Animations. Click OK.
7. Close the Registry Editor.
8. Click on the Start Menu and type “cmd” into the search box, right-click on cmd.exe when the program appears in the search results, select Run as Administrator from the drop-down.
9. When the Command Prompt opens type the following commands.
A. Net Stop uxsms – this command will stop the Desktop Windows Manager Session Manager
B. Net Start uxsms– this command will restart it
10. Once you close the Command Prompt, right click on the desktop and click on Personalize from the menu.
11. In the Personalization window, click on Window Color and Appearance, select Windows Aero from the Color Scheme menu.
This hack should also work on Virtual installations of Windows 7 except VMWare.
Hack 3 (7000) - Remove Watermark from Windows 7 beta 1 Desktop
Aside from the annoying Send Feedback link discussed below, Microsoft has made every effort to remind us of the beta status of the operating system we are using. This is evident in the watermark embedded on the desktop of every Windows 7 installation. If you’re as annoyed as I am of the disruption of my desktop Zen, the steps below will help you get rid of the infamous watermark. Before proceeding we must first ensure that User Account Control is disabled, follow the steps below to disable.
1. Click on the Start Menu > Control Panel
2. Click on User Accounts and then Change User Account Control Settings and adjust the slider so that it is at the bottom of the screen (Never Notify).
3. When you are done restart your computer.
4. Once your computer has rebooted browse to the following directory, “C:WindowsSystem32en-US”
5. Once you’re in the directory locate and right-click the following file user32.dll.mui
6. Select Properties from the drop-down menu, click on the Security tab and click on the Advanced button at the bottom.
7. Click on the Owner tab in the Advanced Security Settings window and click Edit…(By clicking Edit… you have made yourself the owner of the file)
8. Click OK to accept changes and return to the original file Properties window.
9. Click Edit… under the Security tab.
10. Select Users and a checkmark to the all the checkboxes giving you full control of the file.
11. Rename user32.dll.mui to user32-backup.dll.mui
12. Download the patched version of the files
A. 32 bit Download
B. 64 bit Download
13. Once you’ve downloaded the file extract it to the original directory (C:WindowsSystem32en-US)
14. Restart the computer.
Hack 4 (7000/6801) - Remove Send Feedback link
This simple fix eliminates the Send Feedback link that plagues every window in Windows 7 the guide below will help get rid of this annoyance. Before proceeding make sure you backup your registry
1. Click on the Start Menu and type “regedit” into the search box, click to open the regedit.exe icon when the program appears in the search results.
2. Locate the following Key HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop
3. In the pane to the right of the key hierarchy, right-click on the white space and select New > DWORD (32 bit) Value.
4. When the value appears name it FeedbackToolEnabled.
5. Double-click the value you just created (FeedbackToolEnabled) and enter 0 in the Value Data box. Click OK.
6. Log off the computer and log back on for changes to take effect.
Hack 5 (6801/6956/7000) - Install TimerNuke (Remove Time based Windows 7 Expiration)
The TimerNuke patch removes files associated with activation and disables related services. This prevents Windows 7 from blocking you out after you’ve exceeded activation timelines. The patch is simple to install, just download, install, and voila! No more activation blues. You can download the patch from this site or the mirror.
Hack 6 (7000) – Enable Quick Launch Bar
It appears that the Quick Launch Bar is one of those features that simply didn’t make the “easy to enable” list. In order for you to enable the Quick Launch Bar in Windows 7 you have to do a little typing. Below you will find the instructions necessary to enable this wonderful feature.
1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Toolbars > New Toolbar from the menu.
2. Copy and paste the following address; [%SystemDrive%Users%username%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet Explorer ] into the Address Bar, click the arrow to the right of the Address bar to navigate to the folder.
3. Select the Quick Launch folder listed and click the Select Folder button.
Hack 7 (6801/7000) – Make Windows 7 Trial Last 120 Days
Microsoft was nice enough to allow users to extend the 30 day trial period 3 times, which means that you will be able to use the Operating System for 120 days, assuming you follow the instructions below.Note: In order for you to achieve the 120 days you must wait until day 29 or 1 day before trial expiration in order to take advantage of the loophole
Before proceeding make sure you backup your registry
1. Click on the Start Menu and type “regedit” into the search box, click to open the regedit.exe icon when the program appears in the search results.
2. Locate the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrentVersionSoftwareProtectionPlatform
3. Right-click to open SkipRearm located on the right pane.
4. IF SkipRearm is NOT set to 0 modify it to 0 and click OK to save.
5. IF SkipRearm is set 0 then,
6. Click on the Start Menu and type “cmd” into the search box, right-click on cmd.exe when the program appears in the search results, select Run as Administrator from the drop-down.
7. Type the following command slmgr -rearm and press Enter
8. Click OK when prompted
You can only perform this work around 3 times, after which you will receive an error and you will have to activate Windows to use it.
Hack 8 (7048) – Uninstall Internet Explorer for Good
As a web publisher I would recommend against uninstalling Internet explorer. The reason for this is that it is always good to check your website for browser compatibility. For those users who do not publish online or simply cannot stand Internet Explorer the solution is here.
1. Click on the Start Menu > Control Panel
2. Click on Programs and Features
3. Click on Turn Windows features on or off link located on the left pane.
4. The Turn Windows features on or off window will open, uncheck Internet Explorer 8 and click OK.
5. After a couple of restarts Internet Explorer should be gone for good.
Hack 9 (7000) - Windows 7 Installed on a MacBook Pro
Apparently several MacBook Pro users have been able to successfully install Windows 7 onto MacBook Pro’s, the site’s below detail the installation procedures as well as offer a glimpse of the latest operating system running on a Mac.
Detailed Instructions
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Comments
may chan at 00:11, March 01, 2010
Make your Windows 7 genuine. Use this Win7 Activator. Win7 Activator contains all activation tools for each version of Windows 7.It removes WAT (Windows Activation Technologies) completely from the OS, whilst still retaining genuine status and receiving all updates (optional as well). You can also pass the genuine check in things like Windows Defender. More info here: http://monkee.tagabukid.com
Xandra Hasegawa at 12:36, February 24, 2010
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torrent search engine at 08:22, February 23, 2010
You just gave me a great idea. Thanks for the post, it's really helpful.
nedludd at 18:33, February 10, 2010
Too much info for a beginner. Id start with synaptic to explain repositories, because the idea is kind of the opposite to win32 apps where you google,go to the site,download the .exe etc. Plus, it reinforces the idea to newbies that you MUST use the commandline, this is enough to switch people off since they consider the commandline a relic of the 80s. Ofcourse infact it is the most efficient tool to use a pc but thats not our fault.
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adminy at 02:42, December 29, 2009
Kind-a-Captcha Please type the code below in the input field and click on Submit (characters can only be letters from A to F and digits from 0 to 9). Kind-a-Captcha Please type the code below in the input field and click on Submit (characters can only be letters from A to F and digits from 0 to 9).
calebstein at 18:47, December 05, 2009
Hack 7 is not a loophole, Microsoft explains how to do it on microsoft.com and explains that it is for you to test Windows for a longer time.
Nani at 09:55, December 03, 2009
i cant get the hack 1.....when i type the given commands in cmd....it is specifying that the system cannot find the path specified.pls post the right commands......and how can i know the build version that u have placed 6801 or something....
Phill at 02:12, March 23, 2009
Thanks! It is just a shame that the A and B download links were not active. Not much good without them...
Zoo at 10:08, March 17, 2009
I guess there were supposed to be download links at A. & B. ... Otherwise - good stuff :)