How to Change Windows 7 Login Background Image

You can change the login screen background quite easily in Windows 7. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare image (JPEG) you would like to use no more than 256 KB in size

2. Type regedit in the Search program and files  and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

3. Located the following registry key:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background

 

4. Double click on OEMBackground and set the value as 1


5.  Copy your image file which you are going to use as the login background to the following location:

%windir%\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds

6.   Rename the image file in %windir%\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds as backgroundDefault.jpg

7.  Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to check your background image

McAfee Stinger

One of virus or malware removal tools you need to add into your utility arsenal is McAfee Stinger. The tool is not a replacement for your standard antivirus care for your PC. It does remove most of known fake antivirus malware infection.

Stinger is pretty simple to use and comes with a list of malware that it can remove without too much effort. It sports basic options to tweak sensitivity, including what and where to scan. Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 users may have to disable System Restore to use it.

McAfee Stinger is available as a free download for Windows only.

How to Hide User's Account Information on Locked Desktop

You can hide the user's account information on a locked desktop via registry hack or in a Windows Domain environment, you can use Group Policy Object (GPO) setting. In a way this setting protect your unattended PC to some extend.

Windows Domain Environment:

1. Locate Interactive Logon: Display user Information when the session is locked by searching in GPO container: Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options

2. Then select User display name, domain and user names with registry value of 1

3. Select User display name only with registry value of 2

4. Select Do not display user information with registry value of 3


Standalone PC:

1. Run Regedit

2. Locate HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System for DontDisplayLockedUserID (Reg_DWORD) and set Computer Locked dialog box to registry value of 3

Users now will have to retype their user accounts and passwords each time they need to logon to their locked desktop.

Europe Will Run Out of IPv4 Addresses

According to RIPE (Réseaux IP Européens) or the European regional Internet registry, they are expected to run out of IPv4 addresses in 2012. It is estimated that RIPE will run out its remaining IPv4 addresses on July 22nd. Last year in April, Asia depleted all their IPv4 addresses with the exception of a few remaining reserve for start-up network operators. For ARIN, they are expected to deplete the remaining of their IPv4 by 2013. These depletion of IPv4 has put pressure for various regions to transition their network to IPv6.

Best Configuration for Outlook in Virtual Desktop to Office 365

Typically, it's recommended to use Outlook's Cached Exchanged Mode when connectivity to Exchange Server is not on the same local network. However, if your company have virtual desktop environment and use Office 365, then it's best to keep all data small with no local cache and in its Online mode. You can read more about it here.

Command Line for Enable or Disable Windows Hybernate

To Disable Hybernate

• Open an elevated command prompt, ie. one with admin previlages (Start > cmd > right-click and “Run as administrator”).
• In command prompt, key in powercfg -h off and hit Enter.
• Close the elevated command prompt.

To Enable Hybernate

• Open an elevated command prompt, ie. one with admin previlages (Start > cmd > right-click and “Run as administrator”).
• In command prompt, key in powercfg -h on and hit Enter.
• Close the elevated command prompt.

3 Tips For Securing Passwords

End users need better understanding of the real damage when their passwords are compromised. Here are 3 tips for securing passwords.

1. Use long paraphrases to recall passwords without writing them down. 
2. Don't use any words listed on dictionary and avoid keyboard sequences (qwerty, 12345, etc)
3. Hashed passwords to increase difficulty.