[Q] Best PC Decrapifier? - Windows 8 General

What is the best PC Decrapifier? Something like Ccleaner, but better?

You already named it, at least for registry decrapifying.
In my opinion though the best decrapifier is not crapifying in the first place.

Or learning to do it manually. I've never met one such tool that I trusted, or that I was confident did enough good to be worth the risk of harming the system.

ericerk said:
What is the best PC Decrapifier? Something like Ccleaner, but better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had good luck with System Mechanic. It has kept my xp machine usable - after 10 years! www.iolo.com
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

GoodDayToDie said:
Or learning to do it manually. I've never met one such tool that I trusted, or that I was confident did enough good to be worth the risk of harming the system.
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Click to collapse
Is there a tutorial on this?

ericerk said:
Is there a tutorial on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep
1) go to control panel>programs and features>uninstall a program
2) find the stuff you want to remove>uninstall, follow on screen instructions.
for trash files:
Right click partition>properties>general tab>disk clean up>use it to delete everything you want.
After you;ve done these
right click the partition from which you deleted the files>properties>tools>defrag/optimize and defrag the disk.
Do this every 1-2 months and you shall have a happy relationship with your PC.
There is also a good thing to keep all stuff downloaded from the internet in the downloads folder until you can make sure you actually need it, so you can delete it all at once.
There is really no magic stuff the "cleaner programs" do. And windows does it better than they do. So why not use the tools you have at your disposal?
as 6677 said, it is better to avoid getting craptose in the first place. Just be careful what you download and you shall be fine.

ericerk said:
Is there a tutorial on this?
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Click to collapse
Certainly one should keep the list of installed programs as minimal as is possible, but over time Windows builds up problems in the registry and elsewhere that simply slow down the system. In fact, uninstalling programs often leads to the registry values not being uninstalled as well, because of poor uninstallers by the programmers. Even if the values are uninstalled, that produces gaps in the registry unless it is compacted as well. That sort of thing simply isn't efficiently handled except by a program designed for the purpose. So one can improve the system by uninstalling - but the little stuff keeps building up.
Defragmenting the hard drive also helps, and should be done periodically.
It is a poor design by Microsoft. One simple solution is to simply reformat and reinstall windows every few years, thus clearing out the registry and all Windows problems. But that can be a hassle to reinstall and re-download all the updates.
My home XP machine, at about 10 years, is the longest I've ever maintained any Windows installation without reformatting. It boots a bit slowly, but once it is up and operational it is still usable. Before I ran system mechanic (and still use it periodically) it simply could not be used. I didn't reformat the machine because it has programs (mostly games) that my son still likes, and I don't have the disks and/or install codes for them any more.
I would suggest a reformat / complete reinstall as the best possible solution.

stevedebi said:
Certainly one should keep the list of installed programs as minimal as is possible, but over time Windows builds up problems in the registry and elsewhere that simply slow down the system. In fact, uninstalling programs often leads to the registry values not being uninstalled as well, because of poor uninstallers by the programmers. Even if the values are uninstalled, that produces gaps in the registry unless it is compacted as well. That sort of thing simply isn't efficiently handled except by a program designed for the purpose. So one can improve the system by uninstalling - but the little stuff keeps building up.
Defragmenting the hard drive also helps, and should be done periodically.
It is a poor design by Microsoft. One simple solution is to simply reformat and reinstall windows every few years, thus clearing out the registry and all Windows problems. But that can be a hassle to reinstall and re-download all the updates.
My home XP machine, at about 10 years, is the longest I've ever maintained any Windows installation without reformatting. It boots a bit slowly, but once it is up and operational it is still usable. Before I ran system mechanic (and still use it periodically) it simply could not be used. I didn't reformat the machine because it has programs (mostly games) that my son still likes, and I don't have the disks and/or install codes for them any more.
I would suggest a reformat / complete reinstall as the best possible solution.
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Click to collapse
CCleaner clears out the old registry keys in theory, otherwise one can do it manually as GoodDayToDie suggested.
Windows actually defrags as you go along now, you will generally find that manual defragging is entirely unecessary. Although if you do want to do it as piece of mind it at least wont take long (my desktop I upgraded to windows 8 on release and has still only just reached 0.1% fragmented).

SixSixSevenSeven said:
CCleaner clears out the old registry keys in theory, otherwise one can do it manually as GoodDayToDie suggested.
Windows actually defrags as you go along now, you will generally find that manual defragging is entirely unecessary. Although if you do want to do it as piece of mind it at least wont take long (my desktop I upgraded to windows 8 on release and has still only just reached 0.1% fragmented).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is rather difficult to clean out registry values that have no clear naming convention, just a random string of hex codes - not all programs are logical in the directory entries. So manual cleaning has never seemed that good to me.
I'm presuming that the OP is not using windows 8, which really hasn't had time to get cluttered yet. For those older windows xp and win 7 installations, I have found System Mechanic Pro to be the best program, since it has programs for optimizing as well as cleaning out. I haven't yet installed it on any of my Windows 8 machines (no need yet so far as I can tell).
I've not heard of windows automatically defragmenting the disk, do you have a link?
EDIT: Nevermind, I just checked my Windows 8 and I see that microsoft has set up the defrag to run periodically. I'm not sure this was enabled in Win 7, but I had diskeeper on that installation so I would not have noticed.

stevedebi said:
It is rather difficult to clean out registry values that have no clear naming convention, just a random string of hex codes - not all programs are logical in the directory entries. So manual cleaning has never seemed that good to me.
I'm presuming that the OP is not using windows 8, which really hasn't had time to get cluttered yet. For those older windows xp and win 7 installations, I have found System Mechanic Pro to be the best program, since it has programs for optimizing as well as cleaning out. I haven't yet installed it on any of my Windows 8 machines (no need yet so far as I can tell).
I've not heard of windows automatically defragmenting the disk, do you have a link?
EDIT: Nevermind, I just checked my Windows 8 and I see that microsoft has set up the defrag to run periodically. I'm not sure this was enabled in Win 7, but I had diskeeper on that installation so I would not have noticed.
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Click to collapse
I'm using an HP ENVY 17 w/ 4th gen intel i7 (Running 8.1)
It just feels slower, than my win 7 platforms.
It's a refurb, It was on sale from staples for 50% off. This thing: http://www.staples.com/HP-ENVY-Touc...rbished-Laptop/product_12329?cmArea=home_box1
It just feels slow... Yes I got rid of bloat, yes I keep a good eye on installed apps. Yes I have anti viruses, there are no viruses.

If you're talking about pre installed crap that comes on every pre-built system, you've got to do it manually.
If you're talking about toolbars and trial ware and junk ware and ilk, I use a combination of ADW Cleaner, Ccleaner, Combofix and Super Anti Spyware. Gets the job done. Some stuff is still manual, though.

The only legitimate excuse for an OEM-installed OS image is to boot the thing up so you're sure you don't have a lemon. You can copy the "drivers" folder (which can come under a variety of silly names) off the machine if you want to, but they're all online anyhow and often the online ones are more up-to-date. Make sure you have the license keys for any installed software that comes with the machine (the OS license key, and the Office one if relevant, are typically on stickers somewhere on the machine, though they can be elsewhere).
Once you've completed the initial bootup, shut the machine down, boot off of a DVD or flashdrive or external HDD or netboot or however you want to do it, and wipe the disk. The Windows installer, in "custom" (clean install) mode can do this. Delete all of the partitions, and either re-create them in less-stupid layout, or just let Windows create a sane partition layout for you by telling the installer to install Windows on the now-empty system drive. Once the system is set up, you'll need to install updates and software you actually want to use, but you'd probably have to do all of that anyhow. Drivers should get pulled down automatically, and for those that aren't, it should be trivial to retrieve them (the obvious exception would be if you somehow don't have working network drivers, in which case grab them off the web on another PC and transfer via USB).
Those OEM system images are pure garbage. In my experience, the first bootup of such a thing can sometimes take longer than the entire OS re-installation, including *its* first bootup! A clean install will run faster, more securely, and more stably; you will have far more resources available including disk space and RAM; you can be sure there are no unexpected programs lurking in the background to "optimize your customer experience" or similar BS. Since you already have the license keys, it won't cost you anything. Best of all, those OEM turds masquerading as software (Norton anything, WildTangent, etc.) will be gone, far faster *and* more cleanly than if you'd tried removing them without taking the nuclear option. It's the only way to be sure.

GoodDayToDie said:
The only legitimate excuse for an OEM-installed OS image is to boot the thing up so you're sure you don't have a lemon. You can copy the "drivers" folder (which can come under a variety of silly names) off the machine if you want to, but they're all online anyhow and often the online ones are more up-to-date. Make sure you have the license keys for any installed software that comes with the machine (the OS license key, and the Office one if relevant, are typically on stickers somewhere on the machine, though they can be elsewhere).
Once you've completed the initial bootup, shut the machine down, boot off of a DVD or flashdrive or external HDD or netboot or however you want to do it, and wipe the disk. The Windows installer, in "custom" (clean install) mode can do this. Delete all of the partitions, and either re-create them in less-stupid layout, or just let Windows create a sane partition layout for you by telling the installer to install Windows on the now-empty system drive. Once the system is set up, you'll need to install updates and software you actually want to use, but you'd probably have to do all of that anyhow. Drivers should get pulled down automatically, and for those that aren't, it should be trivial to retrieve them (the obvious exception would be if you somehow don't have working network drivers, in which case grab them off the web on another PC and transfer via USB).
Those OEM system images are pure garbage. In my experience, the first bootup of such a thing can sometimes take longer than the entire OS re-installation, including *its* first bootup! A clean install will run faster, more securely, and more stably; you will have far more resources available including disk space and RAM; you can be sure there are no unexpected programs lurking in the background to "optimize your customer experience" or similar BS. Since you already have the license keys, it won't cost you anything. Best of all, those OEM turds masquerading as software (Norton anything, WildTangent, etc.) will be gone, far faster *and* more cleanly than if you'd tried removing them without taking the nuclear option. It's the only way to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... So in theory If I can find a legit version of Windows 8.1 (some RTM or straight from Microsoft) I can just reinstall it, and use my current serial? I don't have very much installed so I there's nothing really i'd need to back up, other than some Touchscreen drivers.

Yep. That serial may not work on any *other* computer (or it might; I don't know how restrictive OEM licenses are on 8.x) but it should work (again) on that one.

Worth A try.

GoodDayToDie said:
Yep. That serial may not work on any *other* computer (or it might; I don't know how restrictive OEM licenses are on 8.x) but it should work (again) on that one.
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It won't even work on my mine getting an error message:
(Same thing happens w/ 8.1)

Seriously?? Wow, lame. I've been doing that for years. I guess they don't allow the use of OEM licenses with retail copies at all anymore, even on the same hardware. I'm sure you could get them to activate it if you called them, but that's a bloody pain to need to do...
It's possible that the .WIM file (Windows IMage) in the recovery partition is a clean installer without the OEM crap (I'd be surprised, but not shocked; they could have it run a script to crapify the installation after re-installing) in which case you *should* be able to use that, but... meh. That's less convenient, for sure.

GoodDayToDie said:
Seriously?? Wow, lame. I've been doing that for years. I guess they don't allow the use of OEM licenses with retail copies at all anymore, even on the same hardware. I'm sure you could get them to activate it if you called them, but that's a bloody pain to need to do...
It's possible that the .WIM file (Windows IMage) in the recovery partition is a clean installer without the OEM crap (I'd be surprised, but not shocked; they could have it run a script to crapify the installation after re-installing) in which case you *should* be able to use that, but... meh. That's less convenient, for sure.
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Click to collapse
I did the windows 8 reset, which took about 6 hours and just loaded up the OEM bunch of software w/ all the bloat installed. I guess I'll call Microsoft soon... Do you know of a direct number?

ericerk said:
I did the windows 8 reset, which took about 6 hours and just loaded up the OEM bunch of software w/ all the bloat installed. I guess I'll call Microsoft soon... Do you know of a direct number?
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Click to collapse
Just go through the computer and remove the junk programs. The control panel will allow you to uninstall them. If you haven't done it yet, I'd install classic shell (or similar) to get your start menu back.
You can also use msconfig (type the WIN + R and type in the command) to remove startup programs from running.
I'm sorry, I thought you were dealing with an older machine, that is why I suggested system mechanic. A new machine can be easily cleaned up manually.

stevedebi said:
Just go through the computer and remove the junk programs. The control panel will allow you to uninstall them. If you haven't done it yet, I'd install classic shell (or similar) to get your start menu back.
You can also use msconfig (type the WIN + R and type in the command) to remove startup programs from running.
I'm sorry, I thought you were dealing with an older machine, that is why I suggested system mechanic. A new machine can be easily cleaned up manually.
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Click to collapse
It's all good, I did that the first day I got the comp!! It just feels like like its sluggishly running.

Related

Uninstalling apps - does it leave stuff behind?

That's it really. When you uninstall apps from Android does it leave stuff behind like in Windows (redundant registry entries, etc) or is it a clean uninstall?
Thanks.
I have used a bit of linux in the past, but I will not say I know it all, I don't.
But here is my understanding of it. Windows programs typically install components in various places including registry entries which then spreads into different areas for startup... Not just all in one folder, maybe a shortcut for quicker access.
Linux/Macs do install into a folder of their own, without the tying into registry as windows does. There is no registry system in unix, and everything is strictly directory based. Therefore, you typically get packages as your installs, which then extract into a folder. Package managers such as synaptic if you've use ubuntu, manage this.
Android is a linux system, get an apk, put it into androids package manager, installed into one location, uninstall through package manager and it deletes that location to make free space.
Basically, my answer would be no, nothings left behind, there is nothing to be left behind. All nice and clean. I've been pretty brief despite my long answer but hopefully it answers the question correctly and if not, its ground for someone to correct me.
Adam.
adamg89 said:
I have used a bit of linux in the past, but I will not say I know it all, I don't.
But here is my understanding of it. Windows programs typically install components in various places including registry entries which then spreads into different areas for startup... Not just all in one folder, maybe a shortcut for quicker access.
Linux/Macs do install into a folder of their own, without the tying into registry as windows does. There is no registry system in unix, and everything is strictly directory based. Therefore, you typically get packages as your installs, which then extract into a folder. Package managers such as synaptic if you've use ubuntu, manage this.
Android is a linux system, get an apk, put it into androids package manager, installed into one location, uninstall through package manager and it deletes that location to make free space.
Basically, my answer would be no, nothings left behind, there is nothing to be left behind. All nice and clean. I've been pretty brief despite my long answer but hopefully it answers the question correctly and if not, its ground for someone to correct me.
Adam.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But what about SQLite? Android software do use it in a similar manner Win apps use the Registry.
SQLite is a database management system. One could use it to store preferences if one chooses to. Generally Linux apps don't. Linux apps could invent a registry just like Windows. They don't do that either.
Some apps do leave some data on the SD card after uninstall, Gem Miner, for example, leaves its saved games.
defaria said:
SQLite is a database management system. One could use it to store preferences if one chooses to. Generally Linux apps don't. Linux apps could invent a registry just like Windows. They don't do that either.
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edit: sorry, i thought you were adamg89. afaik sqlite dbs are used to store app data, but i am not sure about this.
and @adamg89:
that's not how android works at all. it is based on the linux kernel, but it doesn't work like a linux distro at all. also you can not compare apk's to a packet manager from a distro.
finally @topic: go into recovery image, wipe dalvik-cache, reboot takes some time. to that every once in a while, then you're good. the stuff in dalvik-cache is left when you uninstall the app, but it is not that much. no need to wipe the cache after every uninstalled app.
kendong2 said:
...go into recovery image, wipe dalvik-cache...
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Click to collapse
You say that like I should know what you're talking about... How do I do that then? Bear in mind I am a complete novice at anything other than Windows.
Thanks to everyone for their input, much appreciated.
kendong2 said:
edit: sorry, i thought you were adamg89. afaik sqlite dbs are used to store app data, but i am not sure about this.
and @adamg89:
that's not how android works at all. it is based on the linux kernel, but it doesn't work like a linux distro at all. also you can not compare apk's to a packet manager from a distro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair does. I don't have much too experience with linux distros never mind the workings of android and the linux kernel. So thanks for clearing that up.

[Q] Installing Windows 8 non-partitioned on primary machine

How stupid is it to upgrade to Windows 8 on your main laptop? I use it for photoshop and microsoft office.
I don't have enough space to partition the drive, but I really want windows 8. I just am worried about regretting it.
I have installed it on my main machine, no problems, runs everything I install, I have Photoshop Element 9 and it runs well. Download the Consumer Preview Setup Program, run it first to see if you'll run into problems, you can either continue to install from Setup Program, this will download and install in a accordance with how you wish to install, or you can download .iso, burn to DVD, just cancer Setup Program and install from DVD, I did it that way. Jim
its always best to install a beta OS on either a different partition or second drive. to make it so you can get another partition you have to shrink the space of the current one.
I can say that Photoshop works fine, i don't use MS Office so can't help you there. A second partition or a virtual machine would be your best bet if your unsure though.
I agree. I set up a partition to test all the programs I currently run. They all passed with flying colors (sorry, no PS or MSOffice ).
Once I was satisfied, I deleted the partition, installed 8 on my primary, and now I'm 100% windows 8 on my PC. Loving it!
guys, c'mon, its a beta! Betas expire!
There may be a way to upgrade to purchased W8 without losing everything, then again there may not, we'll have to wait and see. There's definitely not going to be a way to easily "step back down" to windows 7 or older.
Obviously you can backup files and reinstall some programs, but you have to think about this realistically
Im not sure but is the consumer preview out yet?
Bcoz ive been using the developer's pre on my laptop dual booting alongside win 7 ofc...Since its really buggy.....(I.E: While gaming or using a program accidentally clicking on the bottom left side of your screen(clicking the startup button)will bring u back to desktop.
Might aswell wait for the betas coz it feels like it more in an alpha mode right now!
Developer preview was alpha, consumer preview is the beta & much less buggy & out now.
As for upgrading later to full release, it doesn't take much to back up your documents if you have too.
The consumer preview comes in a couple of different flavours, iso & installer. The installer allows you to upgrade windows seven keeping your documents and programs that are known to be compatible. However, that option didn't work for me when I tried it. It would point to Microsoft making an effort to make migration to windows 8 in the future a lot less painful.
deamoniac7 said:
Im not sure but is the consumer preview out yet?
Bcoz ive been using the developer's pre on my laptop dual booting alongside win 7 ofc...Since its really buggy.....(I.E: While gaming or using a program accidentally clicking on the bottom left side of your screen(clicking the startup button)will bring u back to desktop.
Might aswell wait for the betas coz it feels like it more in an alpha mode right now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's not a bug, that's by design.
and that holds true for the consumer preview as well, which is out now, has been for a while.
How many of you installed it like This:
http://www.hyper-v.nu/archives/hvre...oot-from-vhd-with-windows-8-consumer-preview/
or http://www.hanselman.com/blog/Guide...s8DeveloperPreviewOffAVHDVirtualHardDisk.aspx
When you are done, Just delete the VHD drive I have it running on 2 machines and everything is working fine.
Pumpiron579 said:
How many of you installed it like This:
http://www.hyper-v.nu/archives/hvre...oot-from-vhd-with-windows-8-consumer-preview/
or http://www.hanselman.com/blog/Guide...s8DeveloperPreviewOffAVHDVirtualHardDisk.aspx
When you are done, Just delete the VHD drive I have it running on 2 machines and everything is working fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would have suggested this too. Safest way to test w8. Gives you access to your main harddrive too. Just make sure ur main partition is ntfs. To make following the tutorial easy.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk 2 Beta-4

W8 Metro Apps doesn't open

I have recently upgraded my windows 7 to windows 8 and have had lots of problems since that. Firstly I can't download/install lang packs. My laptop is from germany and I don't know how but when I upgraded to W8 it automatically changed to German and it doesn't give me an option to download/install any other language. [Solved]
Secondly, I can't open any apps. When I click on one, it loads a screen saying "App Preview" and then comes back to the Start metro interface. How do I at least fix that?
luizmeme said:
[...] I can't open any apps. When I click on one, it loads a screen saying "App Preview" and then comes back to the Start metro interface. How do I at least fix that? I've given up on the lang pack thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A friend of mine had exactly the same problem.
Finally, it ended up with a clean install of Windows 8.
It may sound crazy, but Metro apps need hardware acceleration. Install the latest Windows7 driver for you video card.
Most of the integrated drivers have hardware acceleration. I get this problem every so often, just keep opening it till it stays open.
Sent from my LG-LS670 using XDA
I have installed the latest Windows 8 CP AMD driver for the HD6000M series and still no-go. What else can I do that doesn't involve reinstalling the system. I can't lose my documents, photos etc...
I have solved the language pack thing at least.
luizmeme said:
I have installed the latest Windows 8 CP AMD driver for the HD6000M series and still no-go. What else can I do that doesn't involve reinstalling the system. I can't lose my documents, photos etc...
I have solved the language pack thing at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install it from ATI's page ? The one in the windows repository doesn't work very well.
I had installed the Consumer Preview before and now I have installed this one:
http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Windows8ConsumerPreviewDrivers.aspx
It's still not working.
I personally hate, hate windows 8!
But then again you can call me a apple fanboy
saintsoulja said:
I personally hate, hate windows 8!
But then again you can call me a apple fanboy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for that insightful post mate, moving along....
ive had issues with apps not opening, but as already mentioned trying a couple more times usually works. Im not convinced about sticking with the upgrade, if you have the space id suggest a fresh install WITHOUT deleting the partitions, the install wizard will copy all your old windows folders to a new folder called Windows.old.
You can then work through it coping all your files to the new OS and delete it when your happy.
everything you need will likely be in windows.old\users\username\
another good place to hunt about is windows.old\programData\
before you try all that, this is going to sound stupid but have you tried turning off your computer?,
yesterday Windows had updated some files in the background (WMC) my Mail App was refusing to sync with no errors at all, when I shut down the computer it came up that it was installing updates so I turned off the PC at the wall for a few min and when it rebooted it worked perfectly...
it's a common problem if you upgrade to win8.
Solutions:
1.) Do a clean install (no upgrade from win7 or other win8 beta)
2.) Fix it.
Save the below to a .reg file, execute it and restart your machine.
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole]
"MachineLaunchRestriction"=hex:01,00,04,80,90,00,00,00,a0,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
14,00,00,00,02,00,7c,00,05,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,1f,00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,\
00,00,05,20,00,00,00,20,02,00,00,00,00,14,00,0b,00,00,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,\
00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,1f,00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,\
00,32,02,00,00,00,00,18,00,1f,00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,\
2f,02,00,00,00,00,18,00,0b,00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,0f,02,00,00,00,01,\
00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,20,02,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,\
00,05,20,00,00,00,20,02,00,00
"MachineAccessRestriction"=hex:01,00,04,80,8c,00,00,00,9c,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
14,00,00,00,02,00,78,00,05,00,00,00,00,00,14,00,07,00,00,00,01,01,00,00,00,\
00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,14,00,03,00,00,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,07,00,\
00,00,00,00,18,00,07,00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,32,02,00,\
00,00,00,18,00,07,00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,2f,02,00,00,\
00,00,18,00,03,00,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,0f,02,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,01,\
02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,20,02,00,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,\
00,00,20,02,00,00
I have tried the regedit fix but that didn't work either.
I think it's a problem with the videocard driver, as when I upgraded, I couldn't open CCC anymore.
I'm trying to uninstall the driver to reinstall but I am facing some problems right now, the driver won't remove completely it appears and it won't let me update to the recent one.
Hey guys,
I have tried multiple clean installs of win8 (RP) because repeatedly the metro apps stopped opening after working fine initially. I was able to nail the problem down to kasperky internet security. I tried webroot internet security and things are working great.
Try it and trust me, it will work.
I don't think that is my issue here as I don't use any anti virus software other than MS Security Essentials.
Same issue here... Cut the rope and Weather will not work. Rest of apps do work. They all worked on Consumer preview... i did the upgrade to RC from there. I'm going to fresh install it next, but i was hoping i could work it out 1st.
It seems I managed to get the graphics card driver to work, CCC is now opening but still I can't get the apps to load. What now?
It's a common problem. I have trouble opening my apps too on multiple tries. It's not your display driver. Just keep opening the same app and eventually it will open.
Sent from my LG-LS670 using XDA
download latest windows 8 developer preview it will work
No, it won't. The fix is the change to the Registry.
Microsoft themselves have no clue about the issue - they'll tell you it's a graphics driver problem, but that's wrong.
If the first Registry fix doesn't work, try this one in addition to the first:
(it might break your installation!)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1695265
-Open Charms Bar (Windows key + C)
-Select Settings ---> Change PC settings
-Open Ease of Accsess
-Turn off ----> Tab through webpages and app using care browsing
Now you can add gmail and much else that did not work.
None of the suggestions above seemed to work
I think I'll give up.

Looking for custom virtual ROM on HTC One with reward

This is for all the developers out there. Let's see if anyone out there has the talent to get this done. I will pay money for something like this to a developer as well. Here is the goal:
To set up a platform on smartphones that basically comes with two separate partitions. Ideally what would be better would for manufacturers to manufacture a smartphone with two separate flash drives. Say a for a 32gb device they would use two 16gb flash drives and for a 64gb device they would use two 32 gb flash drives. The main objective here is security and privacy from all these invasion of privacy that all these applications on Google Play store require. Usually they require access to your call logs,pictures,files,memory card,SMS messages,contacts list/s,notes,calendars,videos,audio,etc...
What would be nice is for one to have an option to say download an application like Facebook which pretty much requires every permission you can think of to be downloaded on a separate flash drive to where it has pretty much access to nothing except for what you choose to install on that flash drive or that partition. Wechat recently pulled a dirty trick in one of its updates to where one can not completely uninstall the application after installing it on a HTC smartphone.
Would like to have a secure and safe partition or separate flash drive preferably that would allow one to input contacts,photos,SMS messages,notes,calendars,call logs,etc.. That no application could have access to for our own privacy and safety along with security. Something like how one can ru two separate systems on a MacBook computer to where Windows can also run using Paralles?
Any geniuses here no how to do this or get this done?
This doesn't require a genius... This requires resources lol! Nobody can do it other than a manufacturer at all.
1. For 2 seperate NAND chips we would need to recreate it's PCB board, reconnect the ICs and chipsets which can't be done by household tools or by human hands
2. That would require full customization of the filesystem of android which would probably then be blocked by google because it won't follow their convention. Ask Madame Dianne Hackborn regarding this
desiregeek said:
Something like how one can ru two separate systems on a MacBook computer to where Windows can also run using Paralles?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but when you do that, any Windows app or Mac app can still access anything on both partitions. How is that more secure? You cannot tell android to give app permission to photos on Partition1 but not to Partition2.
I suppose you could have 3 partitions, one that boots and lets you choose which of the other 2 to mount. Who is going to reboot their phone every time they want to switch between E-Mail and FaceBook though? ...if that's what you want, you can just use CWM and restore whichever backup you like, though that will take about 4-min of shutdown/restore/reboot everytime you switch.
What if you use users like in many 4.2.2 Roms. If you want an APP installed with to many access switch to a guest user
retschy said:
What if you use users like in many 4.2.2 Roms. If you want an APP installed with to many access switch to a guest user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this should be a great solution for dodgy apps. That way they won't have any access to the data located in another users account.
desiregeek said:
To set up a platform on smartphones that basically comes with two separate partitions. Ideally what would be better would for manufacturers to manufacture a smartphone with two separate flash drives. Say a for a 32gb device they would use two 16gb flash drives and for a 64gb device they would use two 32 gb flash drives. The main objective here is security and privacy from all these invasion of privacy that all these applications on Google Play store require. Usually they require access to your call logs,pictures,files,memory card,SMS messages,contacts list/s,notes,calendars,videos,audio,etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
edit: nevermind I thought the OP meant dualboot but he means a virtual machine, though I think this has been done as well on android before
godutch said:
edit: nevermind I thought the OP meant dualboot but he means a virtual machine, though I think this has been done as well on android before
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it would basically be a virtual machine. There has to be a way to where one can separate things like two hard drives where in this case it would be on flash drives. Blackberry released something similar recently on their new OS.
Would be nice to be able to download all the basic applications which these days come with ridiculous permissions of which have access to everything on your smartphone. At times one does not wish to share their call log with Facebook or Whatsapp or Line Naver. One also may not to share their private SMS messages with those applications.
If we could choose where we want things installed it would be great.
rpmccormick said:
Yes but when you do that, any Windows app or Mac app can still access anything on both partitions. How is that more secure? You cannot tell android to give app permission to photos on Partition1 but not to Partition2.
I suppose you could have 3 partitions, one that boots and lets you choose which of the other 2 to mount. Who is going to reboot their phone every time they want to switch between E-Mail and FaceBook though? ...if that's what you want, you can just use CWM and restore whichever backup you like, though that will take about 4-min of shutdown/restore/reboot everytime you switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What if the smartphone came with Operating Systems then on each Flash to where each was separate but you could switch back and forth between each like you can on a Macbook running Paralles. Being on separate Flash drives insures that one can get info from the other.
Seems like these days there is no way of blocking permissions without the application failing to load or run.
I have an HTC One and have Wechat on there. The other day I tried uninstalling it but I was unable to uninstall it as Wechat removed the uninstall option and gave us a downgrade option which leaves Wechat running. You can disable it though. Not sure how Google Play allows for such applications to be put up on Google Play that does not allow the user the ability to uninstall completely if they wanted to uninstall. This is why it would be nice to have a safety or dummy flash drive to separate private info and public info on a smartphone.
Again, what does choosing where something is installed have anything to do with permissions? Even if you swapped SD-Cards, then apps on one couldn't access apps on the other, but both could access everything on the system partition. The only way storing things in 2 different locations adds security, is if you can fully unmount all other locations, which would always require a reboot. Even a virtual-machine running on my PC can still access my PC and all of my network, and my PC along with all of the network can access the VM.
I don't think what you are trying to do (have 2 isolated drives) has anything to do with the goal of security. I don't think the actual security solution (having 2 isolated operating systems and needing to reboot to switch with no cross-access) is anything most people would want to deal with.
I think your best solution is to buy 2 phones.
rpmccormick said:
Even a virtual-machine running on my PC can still access my PC and all of my network, and my PC along with all of the network can access the VM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it can't the virtual machine can only access virtual hardware or the hardware the vm makes available to the os running on the vm
godutch said:
No it can't the virtual machine can only access virtual hardware or the hardware the vm makes available to the os running on the vm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There has to be a way. Just takes some Einstein to get it done right.
Like this basically..
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/04...efore-you-buy/
http://www.samsung.com/global/busine...ung-knox#con02

Question before installing Windows 8?

1. If Im running windows 7 64bit, can I upgrade to a windows 8 64bit right from windows 7 without having to format hard drive?
2. If so, can I create a restore point in windows 7 in case I want to go back once windows 8 is installed?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
For question 1, yes, this is what I did.
For question 2 I don't know.
SysAdmNj said:
1. If Im running windows 7 64bit, can I upgrade to a windows 8 64bit right from windows 7 without having to format hard drive?
2. If so, can I create a restore point in windows 7 in case I want to go back once windows 8 is installed?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can. the installer will give you options on what you want to keep
no. you must create a restore image on an external hard drive if you want to return back to windows 7
In-place upgrades are possible and are technically a supported scenario, but they are a *terrible* idea. They are, at best, going to save you a bit of time reinstalling apps (even though the install process itself takes vastly longer when doing an in-place upgrade, so I'm not sure it's a net positive even there). At worst, you'll end up with an unbootable system due to an unexpected driver incompatibility or something silly like that, lose all your data, and need to reformat and do a clean install anyhow. The usual result is somewhere in between; your system will be less stable than it should be, will take longer to boot up, some programs won't work after the upgrade and will need to be reinstalled anyhow, and at some point in the near-ish future (six months to two years) your systme will develop odd misbehaviors that will require you to effectively reinstall WIndows anyhow (that's what the refresh and reset operations in Win8 basically do, with or without preserving your files, respectively).
Also, if you opt for a clean install, you'll know you have a backup of all your data. That's pretty valuable. You can (and should; the bit about the upgrade failing and you losing access to your data was not a joke) make such a backup anyhow, of course.
As for being able to revert to Win7, the only way that'll happen is if you back up the whole system drive. Restore points don't work between major versions; if you do an in-place upgrade, you won't be able to downgrade it again short of restoring a backup or wiping the system and instally Win7 cleanly.
I did it
SysAdmNj said:
1. If Im running windows 7 64bit, can I upgrade to a windows 8 64bit right from windows 7 without having to format hard drive?
2. If so, can I create a restore point in windows 7 in case I want to go back once windows 8 is installed?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After doing an in place Upgrade on my box i hope my story will help you.
I simply couldn't resist the offer MS made 'til 28 Feb 2013 so i downloaded Windows 8 64 Bit to my Laptop and after the Upgrade Assistant gave me a green light and promised except for the ATI drivers everything should work out i started the upgrade. After roughly 4 h the Upgrade process was done and windows 8 ready. Even the mentioned ATI driver was not a big problem because after the initial upgrade windows 8 asked if i would care to update it and did so.
Windows 8 is creating a Backup of your current installation so there is a restore point you can use. I did not try it out and after 2 weeks i deleted the restore Point.
So far so good. The installation wasn't that complicated. Unfortunately after that i could no longer install any Program or update. The reason behind it was that the upgrade process is exchanging something in the users Registry and after that the security checks simply denied me access to the file System. Even booting in recovery mode did not help (just like my Android GBook tablet at the moment ) . Only way to cope this was to create a new User with Admin Rights as a replacement. Doing so one of my document Folders got lost in transition. I still have no Idea what happened but after moving a Folder from MyDocuments user old to MyDocouments user new the Move process suddenly died and the files where gone. I did have a Backup so luckily it was just annoying but still gave me a rough time figuring out what happened.
You will probably be bothered to reinstall some applications (MS Apps will work) and the new interface is something to get used to for a Lot of Developers.
My System turned quiet a bit slower because of the ever running index service etc. Indexing is even denying write access to newly created files quite regularly and you will have to wait for it to finish before file operations are possible. You definitively have to tune system services if you want a system that is not slowing you down.
My final advice after 2 Month using Win8?
Don't do an in place upgrade it if you don't have to. Windows 7 was working perfectly for me. After 15 years of IT Support under my belly (even thou most of it doing Back-office Servers) Win7 felt like an OS that wasn't in the way and did a great Job. Windows 8 will get in your way via slowing down your Box and making steps that were natural in win7 more cumbersome.
Especially System settings are more or less hidden (because the average "dummy" user needs to be protected from it :silly: ) and are hard to find. Turning every entry in your Start menu into an Metro Icon does not Help either. It's just messing up your start screen. Be Prepared to switch between metro and "normal Desktop" quite often if you are still using "older" programs. Even if you don't want to your Program will decide for you .
I think a fresh install helps in that category because it might make it easier to "switch your mind" to the new environment. It will also be a chance to clean your System of old and rarely used programs.
If you still want your Upgrade make sure your Backups are up to date and Working!
Hope this is helping you out.
Cheers
Lanman99
Thanks for enlightening us on the new screw-ups and mishaps of Win8 upgrades. The availability of the downgrade restore point is a new and welcome change, but the rest sounds about right for an upgrade.
Four hours to upgrade (when a clean install takes 15 minutes): check
Permissions messed up afterward: check
Performace actually decreased (even though a clean install of Win8 performs better than a clean install of Win7 on the same hardware): check
Data loss (your Documents folder): check
As for your points re: Win8 itself: first of all, if your only experience with it is based on that abomination of an in-place upgraded system, assume everything you "know" about the OS from that experience is wrong. I've been running Win8 for ~1.5 years now (counting betas) and have never had the problem with indexing service (which runs low-priority and doesn't take system resources that you're trying to use for anything else), data loss from library or folder movement, or any of the other problems you mention. I did try an upgrade install during the betas, but the result was trash - a bunch of features didn't work afterward, and the performance was worse than it should be - and the response when I reported the issues was "do a clean install". Upgrade installs are only *technically* supported; even MS thinks they're a bad idea.
Judging on OS based on an upgrade install is like judging a car model based on taking that car's interior and body, but replacing the engine, transmission, suspension, electronics, wheels, brakes, lights, and wipers with random junk you pulled out of a wrecking yard (without checking the original model) and beat into shape with a hammer and a hacksaw. Sure, it *looks* like it's easier (cheaper than making the needed money to buy the actual model) than buying a new car, and if you're really careful and moderately lucky, it will actually run pretty well and not strand you in the middle of nowhere or burst into flame or something awkward like that. It's going to be a complete pain in the ass to maintain though, you'll end up having spent a ton of time hacking it together in the first place and then keeping it running until you quickly pass the point where it would have been easier to just get the new car, and in the meantime it will never perform as well as it "should" have. Putting a bunch of junk car parts in a BMW body does not mean you're driving a BMW.
By the way, those problems that I didn't have? That even includes the "switching back and forth" thing, because I found it was a lot better to just not use Metro at all. I treat the Start screen the same way I treat the Start menu on older NT6.x versions: an irrelevant graphical thing that pops up for the half second where I type the name of a program I want, in between when I hit the Windows key and when I hit Enter. I pinned my most-used apps to the taskbar. My typical admin stuff is on the Win+X (or right-click the Start button - yes, there is one, it's just hidden until you hover over it) menu. Outlook is a better mail client than Mail, and better scheduling tool than Calendar. Pidgin is better than Messenger. If for some reason I want to log into Facebook, I have this thing called a "web browser" (which runs in a window, with all its features instead of a crippled subset of them, thank you very much).
Metro Skype is good enough I do use it sometimes, although I snap it to one edge of my (very wide) screen so it doesn't get in the way; I've considered going back to desktop Skype anyhow. Desktop SkyDrive is much better than the Metro one. Same for desktop OneNote vs. the Metro version. The only Metro apps I actually use much are games, and frankly I don't use Metro games that often on my main (desktop) Win8 box; why would I, when I could play Eve Online or Civilization / Alpha Centauri instead?
I only had the problem of a few games and visual studio needing a reinstall on my upgraded system. Not one of the other issues mentioned.
Oh, also had an issue where before the update it said my GPU drivers wouldn't work post upgrade, they did and as soon as I upgraded I was able to obtain native windows 8 drivers anyway. My integrated GPU was fine.
GoodDayToDie said:
Thanks for enlightening us on the new screw-ups and mishaps of Win8 upgrades. The availability of the downgrade restore point is a new and welcome change, but the rest sounds about right for an upgrade....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Abomination is probably a bit harsh (i'm still working on that monster )
Don't get me wrong. I don't wan't to bash windows 8 for the sake of it. I just don't see a urgent reason to advise SysAdmNj to upgrade. Especially not an in-place upgrade. And i definitely agree that a clean install is the first choice to move to any new OS.
BUT surprisingly i pulled the same stunt growing from Vista to win7 on my Dell Studio 17 which went great. I had 1 issue with the on-board camera but other than that my notebook was running better, faster and more stable afterward and that was the primary reason why i tried it again with win7 to win8 on my lenovo. Still i got it working and at least it gave me valuable support experience and it's a dirty job but somebody...
Reason to try Metro is also based on my Idea to stay ahead of my Users. I think Metrostyle systems will be heading in our direction if we want it or not. It is to tempting for the marketing branches of our major OS vendors so i keep tinkering with it.
That "Back and Forth" simply lies in the program designs. It will just take me some time to get used to it, sorry but i'm old ).
Some of my apps (namely Hotmail which became Outlook) are seamlessly integrated and as you already mentioned much better than before most others are still written for WinXP/Vista/7 and will bring you back to familiar havens. Internet is done by a heavily customized FF portable, so carefree covered.
My main critique boils down to System settings Metro style. A lot of settings, tools and tweaks which grew into supporters hands look castrated to fit the average users need. That really is annoying. It looks i have to brush up on system scripting skills to support my colleagues. Thought i could get away with less typing these days :crying:.
...and yes switching a self patched '74 Beetle engine in a 2013 Beamer won't make a Racing machine but it looks funny trying to get away with it .
Right click the start icon on the desktop and there is a control panel link. Just the same as win7
SixSixSevenSeven said:
Right click the start icon on the desktop and there is a control panel link. Just the same as win7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes if you are on your desktop. Starting up Metro won't give you that. You have to switch to your Desktop first. Or activate "All Apps" and sidescroll to Systemsettings. Besides it is not integrated which leads you again to your Desktop.
So System Settings = getting around Metro. The Settings Metro offers are still limited. Which IMHO is not a good way to do it. Yes it sounds nitpicking but if MS decides to get completely rid of our beloved Desktop, Metro is all you get.
But as i said, maybe just getting old...
On the metro start screen if you start typing it automatically fires up search. Type control and usually control panel is right there in front of you. Very quick and metro based.
But I agree, we could do with a native metro control panel.
SixSixSevenSeven said:
On the metro start screen if you start typing it automatically fires up search. Type control and usually control panel is right there in front of you. Very quick and metro based.
But I agree, we could do with a native metro control panel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In windows 8.2, there is supposed to be the Pc settings with more options like power options in it. This will not get rid of the desktop control panel though
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
Maybe I should have created a poll. Should I stay on windows 7 or upgrade?
I dont know now. I'm not crazy about windows 8. I'm fine on windows 7. Thing is most laptops come with windows 8 so I thought I might as well start familiarizing myself more. Although to be honest I think even if I was to buy a new laptop with windows 8, I would just clone that image and just restore a windows 7 image with all my apps etc. That or just change the hdd with mines
But thanks for all the insights.
Win8 does perform better, and has some cool new features (built-in ISO mounting, for example, is long overdue). If you do what I do, and mostly treat it as Win7 that has one more slot on the Taskbar than normal, it's a great OS. There are some things that mildly bug me, like the removal of window border transparency, but that's hardly a big deal.
The Win+X menu (or right-click on Start) can be done from anywhere; you don't have to be on the Desktop already. Selecting the Control Panel from that menu will open up the Desktop-mode Control Panel whether you're in the Desktop, the Start screen, or some Metro app.
I actually prefer the lack of border transparency and the flat colours etc, guess that's just personal preference though.
If you have a spare box--techies should always have a spare box--pop Win8 onto it to play around. If you're happy with Win7, I'd stick with that for your production box(es).
It's OK to skip Win8 (and 8.1). It's a transition rev, and biz won't migrate to it. There'll be more changes when Win9 rolls out next year, so even if you're set on sticking with Win, you can save half the work by jumping on Win9 then, because sure as heck you won't stay with 8.x when 9 is out.
Basically, if it's fun, then do it. If it's work, then don't.
There hasn't even been so much as a hint from Microsoft that there will be a windows 9 any time soon. I think we're in for a few more years of updates yet, windows 8 can still be "fixed".
Microsft stated - over a year ago, I think - that Windows was moving to an annual, smaller-releases cycle. Win8 and WP8 were the first OSed released after that announcement, with "Blue" for Windows and Windows Phone expected later this year (about one year after the W*8 releases). WP9-related job postings, referencing that OS by name/number, have already been posted on LinkedIn as well.

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