The system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation

While trying to install an msi following prompt appears

and the following event is logged in the event log

Event ID – 7000

c:\downloads\filename.msi is not permitted by software restriction policy. The Windows Installer only allows installation of unrestricted items. The authorization level returned by software restriction policy was 0x0 (status return 0x800b010c).

Resolution

This error means that there a revoked certificate your certificate repository from the maker of the software you are trying to install. Once the revoked certificate is deleted, installation would work fine.

To remove the revoked cert follow the instruction below.

Open Internet Explorer, go to Internet Options –> Contents –> Certificates –> Untrusted Publishers –> Remove the publisher

In my case it was Quest Software

Close Internet Explorer and try the installer, it should work fine now.

Cannot install an application over the network on Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2

When you try to install of run an application from a network share you get the following error

Application Error: The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000000f). Click OK to close the application.

to resolve this issue, download the following hotfix. Install it and restart the computer.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978869

Run as Different User–Error–Service cannot be started.

Right click an app and chose run as option and provide correct credentials, following error occurs

“The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.”

To fix the above go to services, find Secondary Logon, change the startup type to manual.

XP Mode Without Hardware Virtualization

For those who have machines with no Hardware Virtualization support – You can use XP Mode in windows 7. Microsoft has launched an update to Windows Virtual PC that enables running XP Mode without Virtualization support.

Read the following KB for more details.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977206

Download the update from from following locations.

• For 32-bit host operating systems:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=837f12aa-1d37-464e-ae59-20c9ecbebaf6
• For 64-bit host operating systems:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e70dd043-e262-43c0-a002-446567f1e2b4

Enable File Content Search in Windows 7

Search is one of the strong features of windows 7, some on us might find it not too useful because by default Windows 7 only search within the file in an Indexed location. So there is no visible option like XP to search text within a file.

To enable File Content Search option there are two options

Option 1 (Searches will be a little slow)

• Go to Tools –> Folder Options or Organize –> Folder and search options
• select “Always search file names and contents” option in Search tab.

 Option 2

• Add the Directory or Drive to Indexed locations from Indexing Options.

Note: If the location is already being indexed and still its not searching the content of certain file types. Use the following option to make sure its being indexed correctly.

• Click on Start menu and type Indexing
• Choose Indexing Options
• Click on Advanced
• In File Types find the Extension you are looking for and click on it.
• In the “How should this file be indexed?” select “Index Properties and File Contents”

Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 logon delays

Consider the following scenario:

• You have a computer that is running windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
• You set a solid color as the desktop background.
• The Desktop Window Manager Session Manager service is running.
• You log on to the computer locally.

In this scenario, the Welcome screen is displayed for 30 seconds during the logon process.

So if you like a plain desktop, its not necessarily what Microsoft thought was the case.  One of the reasons why you might face the issue of delayed logons can be that you have chosen a solid color for your desktop.

see the following link for more details and a hotfix.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977346

So-called GodMode in Window 7 !!! I call it AdminMode.

I don't like the idea of calling a cool shortcut or trick “GodMode”. However as you might have guessed, I like the trick itself. I would call it “AdminMode” because that's what it is.

In Windows 7 you can create a new folder anywhere with the following name

AdminMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

You can change “AdminMode” to whatever you want to name the folder. After the folder creation is complete you will see it listed as following.

When you double click it, you will see a list of commands which are either well hidden or require a few clicks to get to. With the help of AdminMode you get easily access all of these cool features at one place. What's even more great is that you can create a shortcut by right clicking any option and choosing create a shortcut, it will place a shortcut on your desktop.

Enjoy Windows 7 !!!!

Enable Check Boxes for Items in Windows 7

this can be very helpful as you wont need to hold the CTRL key for multiple selections.

Folder Options –> View –> Use check boxes to select items

For more details click here

Great freeware for Windows Administrators – ManagePC

ManagePC is a freeware that can be used by administrators and/or helpdesk in an Active Directory domain to manage remote windows 2000/xp/2003 machines. Following is the features list.

ManagePC features

• Retrieves important WMI data from machine
• Remote control (via Remote Desktop, Remote Assistance or VNC)
• Remotely manage machine (via MMC)
• Reboot machine
• Remotely edit registry
• Stop/start services
• Monitor and terminate processes
• View local users and groups
• Remotely uninstall software
• Export data to Excel, HTML and RTF format
• All retrieved data stored in XML files for history purposes
• WMI Query Builder
• No extra software required on client machines

It does work with Vista and Windows7 machines but there are a few permission issues that need to be fixed, hopefully in next versions. This open source software provides a comprehensive suite of remote management tools with no client or agent installed on the target machine. But make sure that the PSTools are installed on the administrator’s machine for the uninstalls to work, specifically PsExec is required for that task.

Installation is very simple, once the software is installed read the help file its very brief. Happy Managing PCs!!!

http://managepc.net/

Map Windows Live SkyDrive (25GB Free Online space) As Local Drive and Much More

Having 10GB free space from 4shared is great but it has its own limitations. What if there was more space that you already have like 25GB from SkyDrive!! Hotmail users will know what I am talking about.

Gladinet is a tool that allows you to map SkyDrive, Google Docs and others as a Network/Local Drive to your computer. Which mean you can have a drive letter that allows you to automate backing up your data and/or you can just drag an drop files.

I have been using the free version and my experience with it has been great!! It works great with Windows7. Speed and performance is relative to what machine and connection you are using. I use a DSL line and have not seen any issue with the speed..

Gladinet has made life easy when it comes to storing data online!! Enjoy using it.

http://www.gladinet.com/

Another amazing freeware - Gizmo Central

Most of us use virtual cd/dvd mount software and the most complete solution that I have found so far is Gizmo Central.
Following are some details as described on the official site. But this freeware does much more than the following. 
Gizmo Central 2.7 (Features)

• New Advanced Themes  
• New Full VHD mounting (Dynamic, fixed, & differencing)
• ISO, BIN, CUE, NRG, CCD, MDS, MDF image mounting
• Hex Editor and Syntax Text Editor
• Mouse & Keyboard Automation
• Database tools, Query Analyzer, with IntelliSense

I have been using it for a while and have found it very useful, specially the ability to burn any of the mountable files. (not vhd of course) and the txt editor is very handy.
Give it a try and see how useful it can be.

Certification Error: Navigation Blocked – Windows Internet Explorer

When trying to access any site with https (any secure site) following error occurs in Internet Explorer or any other browser.

There is a problem with this website’s security Certificate. The security certificate presented by this website was not issue by a trusted certificate authority.

when viewing the details of the certificate, you can see that the Root CA is not trusted by your computer.

Also there might be some other errors like – you are unable to add a blog entry in Windows Live Writer. When trying to add an entry it gives the following error.

An error occurred while attempting to connect to your blog:
The underlying connection was closed: Could not establish trust relationship for the SSL/TLS secure channel.
You must correct this error before proceeding. 

Solution

Run Windows Update!!!

Or

1. Find a computer where you don’t get the error. If don’t have another computer than download the Root CAs file here. (this file will not be updated)
2. If you do have a computer where you don’t get the error then just type mmc in run and press enter
3. After the MMC opens go to file menu and click on Add/Remove Snap-in…
4. Click on the Add button, select Certificates and click on Add again.
5. Select computer account, Next and then Finish
6. Close the standalone snap-in window and click on ok on Add/Remove Snap-in window.
7. Now navigate to Trusted Root Certification Authorities > Certificates
   
8. Now click on Action > All Tasks > Export.
9. Give the file a name and save it, once saved come back to your problematic computer again and follow step 2 to 7.
10. Right Click on Certificates > All Tasks > Import
11. Just find the file and click Next and you might have press yes a few hundred times :-|
12. If you have Windows SDK and .Net framework installed you can use the certmgr.exe with the following command.

certmgr -add -all -c "Savedfile.p7b" -s -r localMachine Root

Mouse gestures in Google Chrome?

I have always been a great fan of developing Human ability to interact naturally with machines and Using Gestures is one of the basic methods I incorporate and appreciate in my daily computer usage. Its great feeling to not to have to use buttons and menus to interact with a program or OS itself.

I had not been able to use Google Chrome for a while because I am used to using gestures while browsing  and with some third party tools I was able to make it work but didn’t have much choices when it came to customizing the tools to create my own gestures and with some it was just not compatible.

Not until I found gMote, I was fully able to move to using Chrome. I have been a loyal user of FireFox and IE, but due to some recent concerns expressed about the increasing vulnerabilities of FireFox, I had to make some choices and I think for now I will chose Chrome. IE will still be in picture for many reasons.

gMote also works great with Windows 7, Microsoft should really think about incorporating gestures in the OS!! It makes a great difference.

Windows 7 – Features I Love

Have been using Windows 7 since the first beta release and have been quiet impressed with how much thought Microsoft has given in to this Operating System. Following

1.  Jumplist - I love it, as an Admin it comes very handy
2. Snap, Shake – specially the use of Windows button and arrow keys works well with dual monitors.
3. Taskbar – You can use the mouse roller button to close or open applications without having to look for the close button.
4. Sharing music, document and more through homegroup now works with no expertise at all.
5. Windows Search – Finally I can rely on it.
6.  Windows Media Player 12. I still have not given up using VLC though :-)
7. Snipping Tool. No need to get a third party tool for this function.
8. Gadgets
9. Windows Live Essentials (these can be accessed in older OS as well)
   • Writer – I am posting this blog with writer and it works great!!
   • Movie Maker – Easy to use and can save in many different formats or publish directly to youtube.
   • Family Safety – (still needs work) but can work well for conscious and smart parents and guardians out there.
10. Windows XP Mode – Application incompatibility is not a question at all.

Tired of “Are you sure you want to move this file to Recycle Bin?” dialogue box?

If its annoying to confirm the deletion of files after you have clearly asked it to be deleted, do the following in Windows 7 and it will listen to you at once!!

Uncheck the option “Display delete confirmation dialog” in the properties of Recycle Bin. From now on when u delete a file it not ask for confirmation.