How to Check Windows Version using System Information

Windows users can use System Information tool to check Windows version numbers, service pack level and the build number they are running on as Windows operating system.

Windows version check using msinfo32 - System Information tool is the easiest way of checking all system related data, parameters, and values.
Here is the steps to determine Windows version using msinfo32 System Information tool.

Click on Start buton.
Windows XP users can type msinfo32 in Run Command screen.
Windowss Vista and Windows 7 users can type msinfo32 in Start Search.
Press Enter

This will display the System Information screen as follows:

Create a password protected folder without any special software

In an earlier post I had written about how to create an invisible folder. That’s a method to create a merely invisible folder with no real protection.
Now, here we will see how to create a folder that will not just be invisible, but also require a password to reveal it and open it. The best part is that you don’t need any specialsoftware to do this. Just plain old Notepad is all that you need.
Note: This is NOT a very secure method of protecting your folders. So use it at your own risk.
Here is the code that you need:
cls
@ECHO OFF
title Folder Personal
if EXIST “Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}” goto UNLOCK
if NOT EXIST Personal goto MDLOCKER
:CONFIRM
echo Are you sure u want to Lock the folder(Y/N)
set/p “cho=>”
if %cho%==Y goto LOCK
if %cho%==y goto LOCK
if %cho%==n goto END
if %cho%==N goto END
echo Invalid choice.
goto CONFIRM
:LOCK
ren Personal “Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}”
attrib +h +s “Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}”
echo Folder locked
goto End
:UNLOCK
echo Enter password to Unlock folder
set/p “pass=>”
if NOT %pass%==pwd123 HERE goto FAIL
attrib -h -s “Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}”
ren “Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}” Personal
echo Folder Unlocked successfully
goto End
:FAIL
echo Invalid password
goto end
:MDLOCKER
md Personal
echo Personal created successfully
goto End
:End
Now here is what you need to do:
Just copy the above code and paste it into Notepad. Save it by giving it any name you choose. Assuming, the file is called secret.txt, change the extension to ‘.bat‘ so that the new name becomes secret.bat. What you get is a batch file. You could actually save one step by saving the file in Notepad directly as secret.bat by enclosing the file name like this: “secret.bat” . This batch file is the one that you need. You can edit this batch file to change the folder name and the password. To change the name of the folder that is created, change the ‘Personal’ (in bold in the above code) to any another name you choose. Likewise change the ‘pwd123′ (in red in the code) to anything else.
Now let’s see how to use it. Place the file in the location where you would like to create your protected folder. Run the batch file by double clicking on it. This will create a folder named Personal in the same location as the batch file. You can now open this folder and place any files in it. Once you are finished, run the batch file again. You will be asked whether you want to lock the folder. Entry ‘Y’ (for Yes) and hit Enter. The folder becomes invisible. To retrieve the folder, run the batch file again. You will be prompted to enter the password. Enter the password, hit enter and voila! the folder appears.
Important: The batch file acts like a key to open the locked folder. So once you have created and locked a folder, do not keep the batch file in the same location since anybody can open the batch file and view your password. So I would suggest that you keep the batch file in a separate and safe place or better still keep it on your pen drive or flash drive. That way when you want to open the folder just copy the batch file to the location where you have your protected folder and run it.
Do remember that the above method is not intended to act as a substitute for the numerous free and commercial softwares that are specifically designed to provide security and encryption to your data.

How to Activate Windows 7 Manually - Windows 7 Activation Steps

Activate Windows 7 on this computer

You must activate Windows within 30 days of installation. Activation helps verify that Windows on your computer is genuine and hasn't been used on more computers than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. In this way, activation helps prevent software counterfeiting. For more information, see Activating Windows 7: frequently asked questions.

To activate online, you'll need your Windows 7 product key. You can find your product key on the computer or inside the Windows package—or in a confirmation e‑mail if you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online. Go to the Microsoft website to see examples of product key stickers. For more information, see Where do I find my Windows 7 product key?

If you can't find your product key, you might need to buy a new one. To learn more, see Get a new Windows 7 product key. If you receive an error message saying that your product key is not valid when installing Windows 7, see Windows 7 activation error: invalid product key.

Activate using the Internet

When you begin the activation process, Windows tries to detect an Internet connection. If one is found, you can activate online. If you use a modem to connect to the Internet but aren't currently online, you'll have the option to activate using a modem.

To activate by using a direct connection

1. Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, clicking Properties, and then clicking Activate Windows now.‌
2. If Windows detects an Internet connection, click Activate Windows online now.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Type your Windows 7 product key when prompted, click Next, and then follow the instructions.

To activate by using a modem

1. Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, clicking Properties, and then clicking Activate Windows now.‌
2. Click Show me other ways to activate.
3. Type your Windows 7 product key, and then click Next.
4. Click Use my modem to connect directly to the activation service.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
5. Click the location nearest you from the drop-down list, click Next, and then follow the instructions.

Activate using the telephone

If Windows isn't able to activate online, you'll have the option to activate Windows 7 using an automated phone system.

1. Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, clicking Properties, and then clicking Activate Windows now.‌
2. Click Show me other ways to activate.
3. Type your Windows 7 product key, and then click Next.
4. Click Use the automated phone system.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
5. Click the location nearest you from the drop-down list, and then click Next.
6. Call one of the available phone numbers listed. An automated system will guide you through the activation process.
7. When prompted, enter the installation ID that's listed on your screen into your phone's keypad.
8. Write down the confirmation ID that the phone system gives you.
9. Type the confirmation ID into the space provided under Step 3 in the activation dialog, click Next, and then follow the instructions.
10. If activation isn't successful, stay on the line to be transferred to a customer service representative who can assist you.

How to bypass Windows Log in Password

Due to the security features built into Windows XP, it is virtually impossible to get back into the system without the password.
You have several options to try and get around this problem.
If you have access to another user account with administrator rights, you can use that account to change the password of the account that is locked out. You can also use the default Administrator account that is built into Windows XP.
First you need to boot the system into Safe Mode.

1. Restart your system.
2. When you see the blue screen, press the ( F8 ) key about 3 times a second.
3. You should get the Windows startup menu. Use the (Up or Down) arrow keys to highlight (SafeMode).
4. Press (Enter) on (Safe Mode), then press (Enter) on (Windows XP).
5. The system should boot to Safe Mode.

Once you are at the Account Log on Screen, click on the icon for the user account with administrator rights, or click on the icon for the administrators account.
Note: For Home the Administrator account isn’t normally shown & in Safe Mode you have to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys twice to show. For PRO you can do this in normal mode
When the system has booted to the desktop, use the following steps to change the accounts password.

1. Click Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools.
2. Click Computer Management.
3. Double click Local Users and Groups, double click the folder Users.
4. Right click on the account name that is locked out, and click on Set Password.
5. You may get a warning message about changing the password, simply click proceed.
6. Leave the New Password box blank, also leave the Confirm Password box blank.
7. Click OK, and OK again.
8. Then close all Windows, reboot the system and try to log in.

There are also applications that can recover the password for you.
If the above information does not help in recovering the password, the only option left is to format the hard drive then reinstall Windows and the systemsoftware.