Messages

176

General Software Discussion / Disabled Services in Windows 10

« on: January 09, 2019, 12:48 AM »

In trying to keep my system running lean, I have disabled the following Windows 10 system services.  If you feel any of these are a mistake -- in terms of performance or stability -- please post your thoughts:

Service Name	Service Display Name
AJRouter	AllJoyn Router Service
AppMgmt	Application Management
AppVClient	Microsoft App-V Client
AppXSvc	AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC)
BthAvctpSvc	AVCTP service
CDPUserSvc_4039d7	Connected Devices Platform User Service_4039d7
CertPropSvc	Certificate Propagation
CscService	CscService
EventLog	Windows Event Log
Fax	Fax
fhsvc	File History Service
FrameServer	Windows Camera Frame Server
HvHost	HV Host Service
icssvc	Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
iphlpsvc	IP Helper
IpxlatCfgSvc	IP Translation Configuration Service
irmon	Infrared monitor service
lfsvc	Geolocation Service
MapsBroker	Downloaded Maps Manager
MSiSCSI	Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service
NaturalAuthentication	Natural Authentication
NcdAutoSetup	Network Connected Devices Auto-Setup
Netlogon	Netlogon
NetTcpPortSharing	Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service
PcaSvc	Program Compatibility Assistant Service
PeerDistSvc	BranchCache
PhoneSvc	Phone Service
RemoteAccess	Routing and Remote Access
RemoteRegistry	Remote Registry
RetailDemo	Retail Demo Service
RpcLocator	Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
SCardSvr	Smart Card
ScDeviceEnum	Smart Card Device Enumeration Service
SCPolicySvc	Smart Card Removal Policy
SEMgrSvc	Payments and NFC/SE Manager
SensorDataService	Sensor Data Service
SensorService	Sensor Service
SensrSvc	Sensor Monitoring Service
SessionEnv	Remote Desktop Configuration
SharedAccess	Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
ShellHWDetection	Shell Hardware Detection
shpamsvc	Shared PC Account Manager
SmsRouter	Microsoft Windows SMS Router Service.
SNMPTRAP	SNMPTRAP
TabletInputService	Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
TermService	TermService
Themes	Themes
TrkWks	TrkWks
tzautoupdate	Auto Time Zone Updater
UevAgentService	User Experience Virtualization Service
UmRdpService	Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirecto
vmicguestinterface	Hyper-V Guest Service Interface
vmicheartbeat	Hyper-V Heartbeat Service
vmickvpexchange	Hyper-V Data Exchange Service
vmicrdv	Hyper-V Remote Desktop Virtualization Service
vmicshutdown	Hyper-V Guest Shutdown Service
vmictimesync	Hyper-V Time Synchronization Service
vmicvmsession	Hyper-V PowerShell Direct Service
vmicvss	Hyper-V Volume Shadow Copy Requestor
wcncsvc	Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar
WebClient	WebClient
WerSvc	Windows Error Reporting Service
WinRM	Windows Remote Management (WS-Management)
wisvc	Windows Insider Service
wlidsvc	Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant
WMPNetworkSvc	WMPNetworkSvc
workfolderssvc	Work Folders
WpcMonSvc	Parental Controls
WSearch	WSearch
WwanSvc	WWAN AutoConfig
XblAuthManager	Xbox Live Auth Manager
XblGameSave	Xbox Live Game Save
XboxGipSvc	XboxGipSvc
XboxNetApiSvc	Xbox Live Networking Service

177

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Explorer Context Menu to Move Selected Items to Specific Folders

« on: January 07, 2019, 02:25 AM »

What!?

That easy??

178

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Explorer Context Menu to Move Selected Items to Specific Folders

« on: January 06, 2019, 06:30 PM »

Sorryformyen, if you have found, or created, a .reg file with the MoveTo ability, please share.  Hugely important function.

MoveTo ability, meaning we can define the specific folders WHERE to move things to beforehand, ideally in a context menu that can appear via right-clicking on in Explorer.

I use FileMenu Tools for that purpose all the time, every day.  Would be great if there were a free way to do it, though, for others out there desiring it.

[attachthumb=#1]

179

Post New Requests Here / Re: How old is this file?

« on: December 30, 2018, 07:46 PM »

4wd, wow, amazing.  You nailed it.  Terrific job.

Hope this gem helps others out there.

Skwire, mission accomplished.

Happy New Year to all.

180

Post New Requests Here / Re: How old is this file?

« on: December 29, 2018, 05:23 AM »

The files are freshly created, less than 38 hours old, so far.  Creation Date and Modified Date appear to be the same.  Either one will do.

I've been searching on the Internet and no one out there seems to have come up with a solution, though it seems so easy -- Current Time minus (say) Creation Date.

No big deal.  Just wondered if someone here could whip it out.

181

Post New Requests Here / How old is this file?

« on: December 28, 2018, 06:26 PM »

Looking for a little snack program that does the following:

-- Place shortcut to it in SendTo list.

-- Send a file to it.

-- Up pops window saying how old the file is.

-- Days.  Hours.  Minutes.

Any help or thoughts appreciated!

Nicholas Kormanik

182

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: December 05, 2018, 12:14 AM »

There are some flies in the ointment, at least, that I'm aware of:

In the above scenario Windows (10) expects the Desktop folder to be named "Desktop."  Not, for instance, Desktop#2.

So, Windows goes ahead and changes the name "Desktop#2" to "Desktop".

This even though there already is a "Desktop" -- your original one.  Which you certainly do not want over-written, or altered in any way.

Then it appears you have two "Desktop" folders.  Same name.  Side-by-side.  Go figure.

Additionally, each of the new Desktops will be initially populated with various icons of programs which, I'm assuming, are for "All Users," as opposed to just you.  One has to then delete these icons.  And such deletion could have some unintended consequences.

Frankly it's really not that big of a deal rebooting to get to a new clean desktop, when real estate is desperately needed.  By this I mean, not enough open space on our single Desktop, to strategically place new stuff.

As an analogy, the intent is sort of like having some project mapped out on a physical white board, with dry erase markers markings, sticky Post-It notes, lines, etc., all over.  Nice to have a second or third white board to move to when not ready to erase the first.

Oh, and, of course, you absolutely must be able to maintain the exact arrangement and order.  That's sort of another story (i.e., DesktopOK, or equivalent).

I find it stupefying that Windows doesn't already have this feature, multiple plain old desktops.  Like, as many as you want.  With ability to save icon positions, folders, stuff, independently for each one.

And, what the heck while I'm at it, maybe even some larger labels that can be moved around.

Dream on....

183

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: December 04, 2018, 06:10 PM »

The key was/is to find out where in the registry Desktop location is stored.

Seems easy enough, huh.

Unfortunately, Windows wants that information in hex.

So, here are my four desktops, that I switch among.  I created four reg files, to double click on, when I want to use any particular one of the desktops.  (As said earlier, the actual folders of these desktops are side by side where everyone else's desktops are, c:\users\username\...):

Desktop#0 (original desktop, populated with tons of icons, way too many...)

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders]
"Desktop"=hex(2):43,00,3a,00,5c,00,55,00,73,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,5c,00,4e,00,\
  69,00,63,00,68,00,6f,00,6c,00,61,00,73,00,5c,00,44,00,65,00,73,00,6b,00,74,\
  00,6f,00,70,00,00,00

Desktop#1

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders]
"Desktop"=hex(2):43,00,3a,00,5c,00,55,00,73,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,5c,00,4e,00,\
  69,00,63,00,68,00,6f,00,6c,00,61,00,73,00,5c,00,44,00,65,00,73,00,6b,00,74,\
  00,6f,00,70,00,23,00,31,00,00,00

Desktop#2

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders]
"Desktop"=hex(2):43,00,3a,00,5c,00,55,00,73,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,5c,00,4e,00,\
  69,00,63,00,68,00,6f,00,6c,00,61,00,73,00,5c,00,44,00,65,00,73,00,6b,00,74,\
  00,6f,00,70,00,23,00,32,00,00,00

Desktop#3

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders]
"Desktop"=hex(2):43,00,3a,00,5c,00,55,00,73,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,5c,00,4e,00,\
  69,00,63,00,68,00,6f,00,6c,00,61,00,73,00,5c,00,44,00,65,00,73,00,6b,00,74,\
  00,6f,00,70,00,23,00,33,00,00,00

184

General Software Discussion / Re: "File Size" Not Increasing As It Should Be

« on: December 04, 2018, 05:38 PM »

Thank you all for sharing your wise, experienced insights.  Terrific resource here.

Nirsoft's FolderChangesView seems the best one can do for now, all things considered.

In that program getting 'File Properties' on parent folder additionally updates the current file sizes for all child files.  That eliminates the need to get individual file properties.

The whole purpose here was/is to merely make sure the program process is indeed chugging along as it should be, as the program itself doesn't let one know directly.

185

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: December 04, 2018, 12:37 AM »

I ended up creating additional desktops in my c:\Users\Nicholas folder.  Along with the usual Desktop folder.

So, I have there:

Desktop#0
Desktop#1
Desktop#2
Desktop#3

Then I have to change in the registry which desktop I want to use.  Log out, and back in.

The additional desktops are blank slates.  Lots of new real estate.

Skwire, you can close this topic, I guess.

186

General Software Discussion / Re: "File Size" Not Increasing As It Should Be

« on: December 04, 2018, 12:21 AM »

Nirsoft FolderChangesView seems the best option so far.

However, even this doesn't show the actual file size.

Here is an email I just wrote to Nirsoft:

Enhancement Request -- FolderChangesView

Please incorporate a ‘button’ or ‘menu offering’ to really refresh all the present files shown.

For some reason the existing refresh does not really update file sizes, at least not when files are still being written to.

A process I have running keeps adding to a particular file.  Only way to see the increased real file size is to bring up ‘File Properties,’ one individual file at a time.

Far, far better to have a means to refresh all files shown, really refreshing them, showing true file sizes.

Thanks!

Nicholas Kormanik

187

General Software Discussion / Re: "File Size" Not Increasing As It Should Be

« on: December 02, 2018, 11:36 PM »

As 4wd points out, yes, context menu, Properties, does seem to do the trick of updating the filesize.

Other files in the folder don't get updated, I don't think.  Therefore, one would have to right-click on each, and do the Properties route.

188

General Software Discussion / Re: "File Size" Not Increasing As It Should Be

« on: December 02, 2018, 08:29 PM »

Perhaps best to move to more relevant section, Skwire.

Solution to issue, my hunch is, a small alternative to Explorer, that can dig in to the actual size, and has a refresh button.  Periodically press refresh to see updated sizes of files in particular folder.

Not sure that such program exists.

189

General Software Discussion / "File Size" Not Increasing As It Should Be

« on: December 02, 2018, 07:01 PM »

A lot of people are complaining about this out there, I see.  Just wondering what you folks have to say on the issue.

Given:  I have a 'process' executing.  And an Explorer window open, to monitor a folder that is supposed to be 'populated' with the results of 'process.'  A file exists there which is supposed to grow in size.

Existing file: XXYY.xxyy
Existing file size: 0 bytes

I'm expecting said file to increase.  12kb.  130kb.  256kb.  etc.

After an hour the file still remains at 0 bytes.

That is, in Explorer.  The little Explorer window I have open to watch it.

Yet, the actual fact of the matter is, the file HAS been growing.  Is now growing.  Is around 5 megabytes in size.  And growing still.

Yet Explorer continues to show the file as 0 bytes in size.

So..., out there in cyberland, various solutions to this issue have been proposed.

I'm wondering what your take is.

Thanks!

Nicholas Kormanik

190

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: November 01, 2018, 02:38 PM »

Nice find, wraith808.  I'll try it out and see how it compares.

Fences, by the way, offered some benefits, but had shortfalls.  Not exactly what I was asking for.

191

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: November 01, 2018, 01:53 AM »

Virtual desktops seem not to provide new 'canvases' on which to work and organize your projects.  Virtual desktops appear to be mostly for separating open windows and running programs.

Unless I missed something.

If anyone knows of a program that provides new clear desktops or folders, on which one can carefully place icons, etc., and re-establish as desired, please let me know.

As said before, strikes me as absurd that such doesn't already exist.

192

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: October 31, 2018, 08:43 PM »

Best approach for now regarding the objective of providing more 'desktop-like' working space in which to carefully arrange icons, etc., is to create additional desktops.

Windows directly allows this.  Google for instructions to change desktop folder.

In order to change desktops one has to log-off and back on.  New desktop will then be in effect.

After one finishes working on new desktop, one can use the same procedure to go back to original desktop.

DesktopOK works with whatever the current desktop is.  So just save icon positioning within each as wanted.


Skwire, another one done.

193

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: October 30, 2018, 03:25 AM »

KodeZwerg, worthy suggestion.  Appreciate it!

Unfortunately, desktop.ini seems to only contain a few lines, and nothing about icon placement on desktop (or folder).

The idea I'm after, to clarify, is to place icons within folder, exactly where I want them to be placed.  So that when you open that folder the icons are where they are supposed to be, because I strategically placed them there.



Please see above image.  Worth 1000 words.

194

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: October 30, 2018, 12:43 AM »

wraith808, Windows 10 Pro.  There is still that feature, to arrange and place your icons as desired, within each folder.

But, as said, as spotty as hell.  Pathetic.  Hit and miss.  Sometimes saved, mostly forgotten.

That's why a third-party solution is called for.  Microsoft engineers have other things requesting their attention.

By the way, icon arrangements appear to be held at the following registry location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\

But not at all easy to understand.  Coded.  Take a peek.

Theoretically one might be able to 'Export' that branch of the registry tree in order to save folder icon positions.  Then 'Import' back in to re-establish.

Trouble is, nearly EVERYTHING in the entire system regarding icon positionings is included there.  Each and every folder.  On all hard disks.  Plus extra stuff for good measure.

195

Post New Requests Here / Re: In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: October 29, 2018, 09:08 PM »

wraith808, Windows does indeed allow one to move icons around and place 'em in a folder.  And is supposed to remember such.  As long as the context menu... View, Auto-arrange... is unchecked.

Trouble is, in practice that's super spotty.  Even with Auto-arrange unchecked, often you close that folder and re-open only to find your icons lined up as you have described.  After you've spent countless amounts of time precisely arranging, with clarity and purpose.

Can't trust it at all.

So need a third-party solution.  One that specifically saves your icon arrangement in a particular folder, and can re-establish said arrangement.

Let's call the folder:  c:\Carefully_Arranged_Folder.

Perhaps a suitable approach would be to double-click a batch file, PowerShell file, .reg file... to save present precise arrangement.  And have another such file to re-establish arrangement.

Curious that nothing seems to exist that already does this.

Perplexing that no one else apparently perceives the usefulness.

As usual, go figure.

196

Post New Requests Here / In some folder other than desktop, freeze icon placement

« on: October 28, 2018, 10:20 PM »

On the desktop we already have a few good programs to save icon positions.  I use DesktopOK.  Another is Relcon.

Presently, however, there doesn't appear to be any program allowing one to backup/restore icon positions of some other folder.

I've written to the authors of both programs mentioned above to please "enhance" or extend their respective offerings.

The notion is to have additional desktops, just like the one you presently have:  Desktop#1, Desktop#2, Desktop#3, ....  Each one with icons, folders, files arranged exactly as you want.  Ability to save the arrangements.  And to instantly restore as needed.

My hunch is the job would take more work than you folks want to tackle.  But I thought I'd just throw out the idea.

Thoughts appreciated.

Nicholas Kormanik

197

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Create Folder, Give It Name: Current Date and Time

« on: October 25, 2018, 01:51 AM »

By the way, I ended up regressing to back-up.  All the "fixing" screwed the pooch.  Clear anomalies.  As said, no definitive answers.

198

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Create Folder, Give It Name: Current Date and Time

« on: October 25, 2018, 01:35 AM »

Regarding the original question above, I discovered (i.e., Google search) that 4wd's PowerShell script also works by calling from a batch file.

Place the two below together into the same fixed folder:

New Folder Date Time.bat:

@ECHO OFF
PowerShell.exe -Command "& '%~dpn0.ps1'"


New Folder Date Time.ps1:

$folderName = (Get-Date).tostring("yyyy-MM-dd hh-mm-ss")
New-Item -itemType Directory -Path "C:\0_SAS_1" -Name $FolderName


In the registry "command" space place the "path+New Folder Date Time.bat":

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Create Date-Time Folder\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows System Tools\\0 Create Date-Time Folder\\New Folder Date Time.bat\""


From handy context menu in folder background.  Easy peasy.  And no rude error message.

The only remaining fly-in-the-ointment is the specific location where the new date-time folder is created.  In the case above, it's bolded: C:\0_SAS_1.  Only works with respect to that one folder location.  Would greatly prefer that it work in ANY folder background, and create the new date-time folder in that folder.

But, at least....

199

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Create Folder, Give It Name: Current Date and Time

« on: October 24, 2018, 06:00 PM »

If one puts the entire error message into a Google search, gets a ton of hits.

But no one seems to have a definitive answer.

I'm in the perplexing situation now where I've implemented a bunch of the suggestions out there -- none worked -- and now I'm wondering if I should regress to a backup I made just prior to the said implementations.

Go figure.

200

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Create Folder, Give It Name: Current Date and Time

« on: October 24, 2018, 04:48 AM »

I'm wondering what explorer.exe has to do with it anyway.  It's PowerShell we're using....