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Using Command Prompt to run a program as administrator

If you want to work for your administrative login or account and do certain installation or task, the Run As command eliminated the need to log off and log on the administrator desktop.

Quick Tip
If you are logged on as limited account you can run a program as a different user or administrator by typing

runas.exe /user:[username] path at the command prompt.

taskbarappearance

For more details:

C:\Windows\system32>runas /?
RUNAS USAGE:

RUNAS [ [/noprofile | /profile] [/env] [/savecred | /netonly] ]
        /user:<UserName> program

RUNAS [ [/noprofile | /profile] [/env] [/savecred] ]
        /smartcard [/user:<UserName>] program

RUNAS /trustlevel:<TrustLevel> program

   /noprofile        specifies that the user's profile should not be loaded.
                     This causes the application to load more quickly, but
                     can cause some applications to malfunction.
   /profile          specifies that the user's profile should be loaded.
                     This is the default.
   /env              to use current environment instead of user's.
   /netonly          use if the credentials specified are for remote
                     access only.
   /savecred         to use credentials previously saved by the user.
                     This option is not available on Windows 7 Home or Windows 7 Starter Editions and will be ignored.
   /smartcard        use if the credentials are to be supplied from a
                     smartcard.
   /user             <UserName> should be in form USER@DOMAIN or DOMAIN\USER
   /showtrustlevels  displays the trust levels that can be used as arguments  to /trustlevel.
   /trustlevel       <Level> should be one of levels enumerated
                     in /showtrustlevels.
   program         command line for EXE.  See below for examples

Examples:
> runas /noprofile /user:mymachine\administrator cmd
> runas /profile /env /user:mydomain\admin "mmc %windir%\system32\dsa.msc"
> runas /env /user:user@domain.microsoft.com "notepad \"my file.txt\""

NOTE:  Enter user's password only when prompted.
NOTE:  /profile is not compatible with /netonly.
NOTE:  /savecred is not compatible with /smartcard.

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Technical details of Windows 7 Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

There are many features added to Taskbar and Start Menu properties in Windows 7. Let’s tackle them including its technical details in Windows registry including tweakui-like functions using regdevelop.

Taskbar Tab

taskbartab

Taskbar Appearance

The taskbar appearance is a group of tweaks that you can used in Windows 7 for customization. There are new functions like taskbar location on the screen and taskbars icon customization. Here’s the complete list of what it can do to your desktop.

  • (default) Locking the taskbar will make the toolbars not movable.
  • After hiding, Auto-hide feature shows the taskbar when the mouse cursor is near the taskbar or bottom part of desktop. Cool while working on big projects, you’ll be able to maximize the entire screen.
  • The entire taskbar can be move to different locations – bottom part (default), left side, right and top portion of the desktop.
  • The taskbar buttons option lets you choose what to do with the program icons and labels – Combine and hide the program names, Combine and show the program labels and Never combine option.

Windows Registry Location

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Taskbar Appearance Features

Locking the Taskbar

TaskbarSizeMove = 0 (checked value)

TaskbarSizeMove = 1 (unchecked value)

Use small icons

TaskbarSmallIcons = 0 (unchecked value)

TaskbarSmallIcons = 1 (checked value)

Taskbar Buttons

Always combine, hide labels – default

TaskbarGlomLevel = 0

Combine when taskbar is full and shows the program names

TaskbarGlomLevel = 1

Never combine

TaskbarGlomLevel = 2

Aero Peek

This features lets you quickly see the desktop. It creates a glass like preview useful for viewing desktop gadgets and folders. To use the feature, just move the mouse over the rightmost portion of the taskbar or press Win + spacebar.

Here’s the registry location of the feature:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

DisablePreviewDesktop = 1 (unchecked value)

DisablePreviewDesktop = 0 (checked value of the Taskbar option)

 

 

Start Menu Tab

StartmenuTab

Recent Opened Programs and Documents

The start menu of Windows 7 and Vista is powerful enough to remember everything that you are accessing daily. If you want to disable the feature because of security reasons and privacy just access the option through the start menu properties.

Windows Registry Location

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Start_TrackProgs = 1 (checked value, 0 to unchecked)

Start_TrackDocs = 1 (the option is checked, 0 to unchecked)

 

Start Menu Power Button Function

Windows 7 have the ability to change the Start Menu Button function from the Start Menu properties. The feature is really helpful because the default shutdown button is Sleep when you bought new laptops nowadays.

 

Windows Registry Settings for the Start Menu button

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Start_PowerButtonAction Value Data
Switch user 100
Log off 1
Lock 200
Restart 4
Sleep 10
Hibernate 40
Shutdown 2

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Android Task Manager – the Program Monitor or Active application Monitor

The Windows Task manager displays the list of applications and programs, processes, cpu performance and memory, and services that are currently running on your computer.  For Android Devices - the Task manager displays all the active application running, displays all the installed applications, the Random access memory (RAM) status and Summary of  used and vacant space of phone and memory card.

RAM

Here’s how to access the task manager: You need to add the application “Program Monitor” from the widget gallery by touching any vacant space and wait until the widget window opens.

ActiveApplicaiton

From the widget you’ll be able to see how many active softwares are currently running and just Tap the Active application form and the Task Manager will open.  From the first tab, you’ll be able to end all application at once or select an application to stop running.

At the second tab, you can uninstall any application that may run on a background, see the total program capacity in megabytes for the phone and each applications used hardisk space. The third tab lets you clear the memory if needed and the fourth tab summarizes how much vacant space for Phone storage and External SD card of your Android OS have.

The running services are located at Settings icon\Applications\Running Services

running_services

Overall, there are similarities in concept and the program monitor for android phones is much more simpler than Windows Task manager.


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Microphone is not working while using Skype and Yahoo Messenger Chat

When your in a hurry and communicating with friends using Yahoo and Skype Chat, this article may help you figure out and fix the problem instead of going to the shopping malls and changing the microphone that you bought recently.

Works with Windows 7 and Vista!

Go to the Control Panel and Sound icon, we’ll check if there are unknown devices installed. Tap the Recording tab and say something to checked if the the Microphone Level is working.

withunknown

You’ll noticed that the indicator level on the right portion doesn’t work and there are two devices installed, so let’s disable the first one and check if its working or not.

disableunkown

The good thing is, it will automatically switch to the other device and set that as default. If the microphone voice level indicator is now moving as shown. You can check now the device through Yahoo messenger Preferences and Skype Call menu.

level_testing

If not, Go to the Properties right-click option to increase the microphone sensitivity.

Properties

Make sure the the boost and microphone levels are high.

levels_Properties

That’s it! Afterwards, go to the Audio settings of Skype, Preferences of Yahoo Messenger and check the level indicator as shown below: 

Skype Messenger

call_audiosettings

Yahoo Messenger

video_voice

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Turn on your Computer in Safe Mode and Advanced Startup options

Safe mode starts Windows with core drivers and services. It loads all the basic things that is happening to your computer. It is the limited state that you can use for troubleshooting options and only the necessary drivers are being run.

Quick Tip: How to enter Safe Mode in Windows - press F8 when the computer restarts after the BIOS information and when the Advanced Boot Options appears, Choose the proper Menu option to start troubleshooting your computer.

Boot_options

Alternatively, you can configure your computer to go to safe mode using msconfig tool > Boot Tab > Boot options and click to check “Safe boot”.

Log into Safe mode if:

  • Your computer is not starting correctly
  • If a recently installed program, or device is causing the problem and prevents windows from starting, start the computer in safe mode and uninstall the program. or  use System restore if the function is enabled.
  • Your computer was invaded by worm viruses and all your files are already infected. You can start your computer in safe mode with Command Prompt and use mcafee virusscan in command line.
  • Another way is to run safe mode and patch the Welcome Screen using WinBubble and start cleaning your computer.

Alternative to Safe mode

- Use the System login through the Welcome screen and try troubleshooting your computer such as running a command line Virus Scanner. Read the articles below for more information:

Administering your computer using Hidden backdoor

How to Create System Repair Disk for Windows 7

Finding scan.exe for McAfee VirusScan Command Line

Quick Tip: You can launch the Taskmgr.exe at Welcome screen and activate the shell “explorer.exe” for more recovery solutions.

Devices drivers that runs in safe mode

  • Floppy drives and USB (Internal and External devices)
  • DVD-ROM and CD-ROM ATA and SCSI Drives
  • SATA, SCSI and ATA Hard disk drives
  • USB, PS/2 and Serial Keyboards
  • USB, PS/2 and Serial Mouse
  • PCI and AGP Display Cards

Windows services that runs in safe mode

  • Plug and Play for devices
  • Event logs
  • Remote procedure call
  • Microsoft Windows Defender
  • Cryptographic Services
  • Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

System Advanced Boot Options

Repair Your Computer
Displays the list of system recovery utilities that you can use to repair startup problems, diagnostics, and system restoration.

Safe Mode
Everything runs in minimum state including drivers and services.

Safe Mode with Networking
Runs Windows in safe mode that includes the drivers in the network and services that is needed to access the Internet or other computers plus networking support.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt
This option is intended for System Administrators.

Enable Boot Logging
Creates a file called ntbtlog.txt for the drivers list installed during Windows startup.

Last Known Good Configuration
Launch Windows with the latest Windows Registry and driver settings that worked successfully.

Directory Services Restore Mode
Runs Windows domain controller running Active Directory to restore directory service. This advance boot feature is for administrators only.

Debugging Mode
Runs Windows in an advanced troubleshooting mode intended for administrators and IT stuff.

Start Windows Normally
Starts Windows in its normal mode.

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Android – Tips to increase Phone Battery Performance

Android is a new mobile operating system that was bought by Google last 2005. There are many smartphones in the market nowadays using the operating system. One of the usual problem that we encounter is how to prolong the battery and maximizing its usage and features.

Here’s some Basic and Easy ways to perform Battery optimization and tweaks by adjusting the System Settings:

The settings icon have a lot of function that you can use everyday. It is accessible via the main desktop and Home menu.

Settings_icon

Same with Desktops, laptop and tablet PCs – the Display accounts for the highest power consumption of the device, the easiest way to improve or save battery consumption and extend the battery life is to reduce the brightness level: Settings Icon –> Display settings and Brightness Level.

level_brightness

Your always in a hurry and sometimes you got angry because of the Vibrate feature eating up your battery usage after a text message, then go to the Settings Menu –> Sound –> Vibrate menu to disable the function. You can also reduce the Volume of the device afterwards.

Sound_vibrate

To access the hardware control for Network connectivity and Software features like Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS or Global Positioning System, Sound and Auto rotation chip, just slide down the uppermost corner of the device.

uppermost_icons

You’ll be able to control its function if not needed, you can turn them off to conserve battery and more energy for the device.

There is a similar function at built-in widgets called Power control. The widget is very handy for saving energy and more control of the Mobile Phone OS.

PowerControl_widget

Now let’s go to the software side of the device - usually for the overall improvements and power saving except those software with hardware interfaces – this is not highly recommended.

Go to the Settings Icon again and touch “Application” icon. You’ll be able to access some software controls of the device.

application_settings

  • Running Services – View, stop and start running services
  • Memory Usage – View application memory usage
  • Battery Use – Monitor what portion is using up your battery

Disable Apps in a Background

Next, Go to the Program Monitor (Active Application) Widget or Task Manager to see what application is active. You can end the application by pressing the “End” button.

Afterwards, Try clearing the memory by going to the RAM Tab as shown below:

ram

Note: Clearing RAM would finish some of the running applications. Save data before you clear the RAM.

For Global Positioning System options, go to the Location and Security Menu and configure the two settings:

  • The location is based on Wi-Fi and Mobile Networks data
  • Use GPS satellites to locate street level Accuracy – This function if used frequently can eat up your battery usage, do not use to conserve Battery.

Location_security

Hope this helps!


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How to Enable UAC to Prompt for credentials (with username and password)

User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature in Windows 7,  Vista and newer version of Windows that prevents non-administrator changes to your computer to be executed. It will asks you before making any changes to you computer and because of that, actions that help malicious softwares and spywares to overcome all security features are prevented.

Activating Prompt for Username and Password Permission

When software requires an administrative functions or elevation of privilege, the user is prompted to enter administrative credentials with or without secure desktop.

UACprompt

Secure desktop is also a security to stop viruses from invading your computer by replicating the elevation User interface. This won’t happen if secure desktop is on along with the elevation UI.

Using WinBubbles

If your using the starter or home edition of Windows, you don’t want to mess with your Windows Registry and you need an easy way to activate the security feature. Go to the Security Tab of WinBubble and click to check “Prompt for credentials” and press the Apply Button or Alt-A.  That’s it!

winbubble

Using Windows Registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 1 (enable prompt for credentials for secure desktop -username and password)

ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 3 (activating prompt for credentials only)

You need to backup or memorize the initial registry value of ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin so that you can restore the previous settings of UAC like the following default value:

ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 5

Using Gpedit.msc or Group Policy Editor

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options

User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode

The policy options controls the behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators approval.

The configuration options are:

• Elevate without prompting: Allows privileged accounts to perform an administrative operation without requiring consent and credentials.

• Prompt for credentials on the secure desktop: When an software operation requires administrative options, the user is prompted with username and password and the secure desktop is on.

• Prompt for consent on secure desktop: When the program operation requires administrative privileges, the user is prompted on the secure desktop and select either Allow or Deny (Yes or No).

• Prompt for credentials: When the software operation requires elevation of privilege, the user is prompted to use administrative logins like username and password. Note: Secure desktop is not turned on.

• Prompt for consent: When the software requires administrative privileges, the user is prompted to select either Allow or Deny (Yes or No). Note: Secure desktop is not turned on.

• Prompt for consent for non-Windows binaries: (Default) When program operation for non-Microsoft application requires elevation of rights, the user is prompted to select either Allow or Deny (Yes or No) and secure desktop is on.

 

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How to show up Send To hidden items

usual_SentoItems

The Send To lists can be expanded for more options.

Quick tip
You can access the Menu by using the Shift key.
hiddenfolders_SentoItems

To customize more options go to the Send to folder and add or remove some features.

Hiho

C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo

If something happens like you’ve deleted something on the folder, you can restore the missing items by creating the files below:

Send to Folders Text configuration
Compressed (zipped)Folder.ZFSendToTarget Zip
Desktop (create shortcut).DeskLink desktop
Documents.mydocs  
Fax Recipient.lnk not applicable – shortcut
Mail Recipient.MAPIMail mail

That’s it!


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Not working? What-to-do after Windows Registry patches

After editing something from group policy editor (gpedit.msc), patching some configuration and adding some value names and data for Windows registry - the registry settings doesn’t work.

There are many possible ways to enable your patches or make it work.

Here’s how:

Using WinBubble Admintools to refresh your desktop

In just few seconds the tool refreshes your Windows desktop easily. After editing something from Windows registry, the all-in-one tool combines all the procedures below including Desktop Refresh.

How? just go to the path where the tool is located and add /refresh option

"C:\Program Files\WinBubble\WinBubble 2\Tools\AdminTools.exe" /refresh

winbubble_admintools

refreshcommand

Restarting your Windows Explorer

Go to your start menu and use CTRL + SHIFT + right-click and choose Exit Explorer

exitexplorer

Once explorer.exe exits, press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to launch the Task Manager. Next, go to the File menu then new task (Run…) and type “explorer”

running_explorer

Another way to restart explorer.exe to enable your windows registry settings is to go to the Processes Tab of Task Manager and use the End Process button and repeat the steps above (Task Manager Run and type “explorer”.

taskmanager

 

Using gpupdate to update group policy settings

gpupdate /force reapplies all policy settings – most of the time this method is the usual way after applying Windows registry patches from the group policy.

gpupdate

Cool?!

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Android Phone - How to Turn the Vibration On or Off

When your in a hurry then suddenly the battery level is getting lower then suddenly a text message was received – afterwards, the cellphone vibrates?!?

Here’s how to turn on or off the Vibration of your cell phone

Go to the settings icon, Sound and touch Vibrate menu

Sound

There are four options for Vibrate:

  • Always
  • Never
  • Only in Silent mode
  • Only when not in Silent mode

Choose Never to disable the feature and other options to access depends on the situation.

Android OS is a linux based operating system that runs on different platforms like ARM and PC. Google is the main company of Android Inc. and it was acquired on August 2005 where the original founders stayed after the acquisition.


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The network path was not found: Windows cannot access other computers

Check the spelling of the network name. Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network. To try to identify and resolve network problems, Click Diagnose.

Error code: 0x80070035

Windows 7 security was enhanced to the point that it limits all possible ways to compromise computers running in Windows Vista and 7 versions and because of that - Network location was invented.

Network location is a configuration that allows Windows to automatically adjust security and other firewall settings based on the network that PC is connected to.

To fix the problem above

Go to your taskbar’s network connection window and click “Open Network and Sharing Center”

network_and_sharing_center

For the third links - Choose homegroup and and sharing options, you’ll be able to see the homegroup window.

Choose_homegroup_and_sharing_options

network_location

Click and proceed with the Network location link. From this, Choose HOME or WORK Network.

pldt

You’ll be able to access all shared drives with no problem.

Engineering Network locations

Click Home network for networks that you know and trust each PC and other devices including people using the computers. Network discovery is turned on for home networks, which allows you to browse other computers and devices and allows other network users to see your computer.

Click Work network for small office or other workplace networks. Network discovery is turned on by default which allows you to see other computers and devices on a network and allows other network users to see your computer but you can't create or join a homegroup.

Click Public network for networks in public places such as shopping malls, restaurant, coffee shops and airports. This location is designed to keep your computer hidden to other computers around the world and always helping you to protect your system from any malicious software from the Internet. By default, Network discovery is turned off.

According to Microsoft, choose Public network option always if your connected directly to the Web without using a router or if you have a mobile broadband internet connection.

That’s it!


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How to use Static IP address at Android Phones

If you encounter some problems while connecting to your Wireless router. Here’s how to configure your android phone to use static IP addresses.

Go to the Settings icon and Wireless Networks, there are many options to choose regarding mobile networking – let’s setup and manage the wireless configuration using Wi-FI settings.

WifiSettings

Connect to the Access Points and touch left button for more options.

WifiNetworksConnection

Go to the advanced menu for configuring the IP address.

WifiNetworksConnection_advanced

then finally, you can manually configure the network settings by using the Static IP options and inputting the corresponding IP address, gateway, netmask and DNS address settings.

IPSettings_static

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Privilege level to Always Run the program as Administrator

You have a program design for Windows XP or earlier version of Windows that by default requires administrative privileges, here’s a quick tip to run the application as administrator.

What to do

Right-click on any application and click Properties, once the Window opens, go to the Compatibility tab.

compatability_tab

At the bottom part, go to the Privilege level and click-to-check “Run this program as an administrator”.

privilege_level

User Account Control helps prevent potentially harmful program from making changes to your computer. It will notify you before running any program that require administrator-level permission. The default UAC setting notifies you when programs try to make changes to your computer.


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Android Phone Number location–Where to look and find your cell number

When you bought your prepaid or postpaid android phone, the first thing that you need to find or get is your phone number. It might be found or written at your prepaid cards, or postpaid documents but what-if you want to see the phone number at your cellphone.

Here’s how…

Find the settings icon

settings

At the bottom part, touch “about phone”…

aboutphone

Go to Status option where Phone number, signal strength, type of mobile network and name is located.

Status_aboutphone

That’s it!

Android phone is a new mobile phone operating system originally develop by Android Inc. and it was bought by Google last 2005. The OS became popular in different kinds of platforms such as phones and tablet-pc.


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Command line tool to detect Windows 7 Energy-Efficiency and Battery life problems

Powercfg.exe is a command-line utility that enables users to control the power settings and management policy on a windows system.

With the command line option /ENERGY, the tool analyses your computer for energy-efficiency and battery life related problems. The ENERGY option should be use when the system is running idle and no open programs or else, additional errors may be shown.

C:\Windows\system32>powercfg /energy
Enabling tracing for 60 seconds...
Observing system behavior...
Analyzing trace data...
Analysis complete.

Energy efficiency problems were found.

5 Errors
46 Warnings
33 Informational

See C:\Windows\system32\energy-report.html for more details.

C:\Windows\system32>

The ENERGY option generates an HTML file called Power Efficiency Diagnostic Report. Here’s an example:

html

 

TIP: Study more command line switches by using /? and saving the results to a text file called powercfg.txt.

C:\myfiles>powercfg /? > powercfg.txt

Here’s how to open the text file from command prompt

C:\myfiles>notepad powercfg.txt

Here are some few command line switches that you might want to test:

-HIBERNATE, -H
            Enables-Disables the hibernate feature.  Hibernate timeout is not supported on all systems.

-REQUESTS
            Enumerate application and driver Power Requests. Power Requests prevent the computer from automatically powering off the display or entering a low-power sleep mode.

-REQUESTSOVERRIDE
            Sets a Power Request override for a particular Process, Service, or Driver. If no parameters are specified, this command displays the current list of Power Request Overrides.

Usage: POWERCFG -REQUESTSOVERRIDE <CALLER_TYPE> <NAME> <REQUEST> <CALLER_TYPE>

Specifies one of the following caller type:
PROCESS, SERVICE, DRIVER. This is obtained by calling the POWERCFG -REQUESTS command.

<NAME>           Specifies the caller name. This is the name returned from calling POWERCFG -REQUESTS command.

<REQUEST>        Specifies one or more of the following Power Request Types: Display, System, Awaymode.

Example: POWERCFG -REQUESTSOVERRIDE PROCESS wmplayer.exe Display System

 

Diagnostic Report Samples

Power Policy:Sleep timeout is disabled (Plugged In)
The computer is not configured to automatically sleep after a period of inactivity.

CPU Utilization:Processor utilization is high
The average processor utilization during the trace was high. The system will consume less power when the average processor utilization is very low. Review processor utilization for individual processes to determine which applications and services contribute the most to total processor utilization.
Average Utilization (%) 51

Platform Power Management Capabilities:Adaptive Display Brightness Support
This computer does not allow Windows to automatically control the brightness of the integrated display. Installing the latest system firmware (BIOS) may resolve this issue.

USB Suspend:USB Device not Entering Suspend
The USB device did not enter the Suspend state. Processor power management may be prevented if a USB device does not enter the Suspend state when not in use.


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How to allow specific processor to run specific program

You can assign an specific processor to run an specific program.

affinity_1enabled

Let say you want "explorer.exe" to use Processor 1 only as shown. Cool?!

To use the feature, go to Windows Task Manager and process Tab.

Processes_taskmanager

Right-Click the process name and choose “Set Affinity…”

SetAffinity_taskmanager

Now, you’ll be able to set which processor are allowed to run “explorer.exe”.

ProcessorAffinity_explorer

Notes: Microsoft said the process or program needs to be running before you can use the feature.

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