Questions tagged [windows]
For questions not specific to a single version of Microsoft Windows. Otherwise, use a more specific tag such as [windows-7], [windows-10] or [windows-11].
55,243
questions
102
votes
2
answers
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What is Git Bash for Windows anyway?
I have happily been using Git and Git Bash from https://git-scm.com/. There is a page with more information here: https://git-for-windows.github.io/.
Yesterday I ran into a problem with rsync, and I ...
- 1,400
101
votes
10
answers
141k
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Insert Unicode characters via the keyboard? [duplicate]
I am familiar with inserting an ASCII character into a text document by using 'Alt+ASCII code' on the NumPad keys (e.g. Alt+130 inserts an é character).
Is there a similar way to insert a Unicode ...
- 9,331
100
votes
5
answers
146k
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How do I set Notepad++ as the default editor?
I want set Notepad++ as the default editor. I tried to set it by right-clicking on a file, then Open With. But I did not see Notepad++ in the resulting list (even after clicking on Choose Other ...
- 1,231
100
votes
12
answers
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How to avoid keyboard layout automatically changing on windows
I have two input languages in my language bar (windows xp).
The problem is that windows likes changing between them without any intervention.
That's really annoying!
I know about the shortcuts and ...
- 1,185
100
votes
4
answers
27k
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Why can't you uninstall multiple programs at once in Windows?
Why won't Windows allow you to uninstall or remove multiple programs at once? What is the reasoning behind this? Will it mess up an internal system?
I am not looking for how to uninstall multiple ...
- 1,927
99
votes
5
answers
286k
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How can I change the timestamp on a file? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to modify timestamp in a dll or exe?
Windows equivalent of the Linux command 'touch'?
How can I set the timestamp for a file via the command-line to a specific date?
My ...
- 4,408
99
votes
9
answers
78k
views
Turning off the cmd window beep sound
Is there a way to essentially mute the Beeping function of the Windows command shell?
I'm working on a PowerShell script right now which ends up printing several lines of text to the screen. I'm ...
- 1,281
99
votes
11
answers
101k
views
Is there windows equivalent to the .bashrc file in linux?
Just discovered doskey emacs=emacs -nw $*, but without something like .bashrc, I'll have to type that every time I start a shell, right?
herrturtur
98
votes
10
answers
214k
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What is the keyboard shortcut for pasting without formatting in MS Word?
In Microsoft Word 2019, if I want to paste using: Ctrl+Shift+V, that doesn't work, what is the new shortcut?
- 5,370
98
votes
11
answers
278k
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Are there solutions that can limit the CPU usage of a process?
I am using an old laptop and doing heavy processing that needs high CPU usage for a long time (~30mins - 2hours). When the process puts heavy load on CPU for a long time, CPU overheats and computer ...
- 1,666
98
votes
8
answers
293k
views
Can I delete MSOCache?
I need more space on my SSD drive and I found that MSOCache is occupying 1.3 GB. I have Microsoft Office 2010 installed.
Can I safely delete MSOCache?
- 5,654
98
votes
6
answers
259k
views
How do I mount a network drive to a folder?
Does anyone know of a third party (or even windows native) solution to this simple problem?
I want to map an internal network share on our windows server to a folder on each of the client machines in ...
- 3,065
98
votes
14
answers
114k
views
How can I take a screenshot that includes the mouse cursor?
When taking screen shots for use in tutorials, it would be really helpful to include the mouse cursor in the picture, but I've found that most screenshot tools (including those that ship with Windows) ...
- 2,114
97
votes
3
answers
364k
views
How do I press Ctrl+Alt+Delete in VirtualBox?
I'm running VirtualBox with Windows Vista as host OS and Windows Server 2008 as guest OS. To login to Windows Server I have to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, but my host OS reacts on that so I can not send it ...
- 27.6k
97
votes
13
answers
121k
views
Windows equivalent to UNIX "time" command
So, Unix has a time command that lets users time their code/other things. I was wondering if the Windows command line has anything similar.
Also, I asked a previous question regarding the Linux ...
- 2,319
97
votes
8
answers
324k
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Virtual Box - not filling entire screen
I am new to VirtualBox and am trying to set up an instance of Windows 7 64.
I have the virtual machine instance running with Windows 7 now installed, but it only fills up a small portion of my screen....
- 1,121
97
votes
6
answers
504k
views
How can I open Google Chrome via command-line with a URL, in incognito mode?
When launching Chrome from the Windows command line I can pass arguments like so:
...>chrome.exe -incognito
I can also pass a URL to open:
...>chrome.exe google.com
Each work fine on their ...
- 8,504
97
votes
8
answers
569k
views
Equivalent of chmod to change file permissions in Windows
Is there any Windows equivalent of Linux's chmod to change the permissions of a file?
sunmoon
97
votes
5
answers
101k
views
How do I access MTP devices on the command line in Windows?
Most MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) devices show up in Windows File Explorer under their device name or a GUID, but they don't have a drive letter assigned.
How can I access the files on such devices ...
- 13.7k
96
votes
5
answers
347k
views
How do I determine if my Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit using a command? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicates:
How to tell if a computer has a 64-bit CPU or OS
Detect Windows Server version 32/64-bit in CLI
OS version: 32-bit or 64-bit?
How do I determine if my Windows system is ...
- 1,429
96
votes
13
answers
14k
views
What is the best way to remove 100% of a software that is not yet installed?
We will have proctored online exams because of COVID-19 for which we must install proctoring software (spyware) that will download and run additional software after installation and monitor everything ...
- 1,069
96
votes
5
answers
251k
views
OpenVPN: Only route a specific IP addresses through VPN?
On a remote private network there are two servers -- a file server and a database server (these are both Win machines, in case it matters).
The file server has its own fairly robust authentication ...
- 3,281
96
votes
19
answers
722k
views
How can I delete all files/subfolders in a given folder via the command prompt?
I would like to delete all files and subfolders in a batch file in Windows 7 and keep the top folder. Basically emptying the folder. What's the command line instruction for that?
- 11.7k
95
votes
8
answers
143k
views
How to set default user for manually installed WSL distro?
I have cloned a WSL distro using wsl --export and wsl --import, but now, running wsl newdistro always logs me in as root. I understand that the lxrun command is deprecated and want to avoid it. The ...
- 1,215
94
votes
16
answers
94k
views
What is the Windows analog of the Linux watch command?
I'm looking for a Windows program/script/command line function that works like Linux's watch program.
watch periodically calls another program/whatever and shows the result, which is great for ...
- 2,684
94
votes
8
answers
161k
views
How to search for only folders in Windows 7 instead of folders AND files
I've had some issues with the new search function in Windows 7. The Search in Windows XP was packed with so many more options. The only option I can access now are Date Modified and Size.
Any ...
- 1,336
94
votes
2
answers
232k
views
What's the difference between 'C' and 'CE' functions on Windows calculator?
I have always seen the C and CE buttons on physical calculators just as they are displayed on the Windows Calculator, but I never really understood what the abbreviations mean and what exactly is the ...
- 30.5k
94
votes
4
answers
85k
views
How can I find out the command line options for git-bash.exe?
Apparently my google-fu sucks...
I know these from other StackExchange posts:
--cd-to-home # Change directory to home
--cd=<path> # Change directory to <path>
-i # ?
-...
- 1,267
93
votes
6
answers
197k
views
View a list of symbolic links on system?
Is there a way to see a list of all the symbolic links that are active on a Windows machine?
I have accepted @JoachimOtahal's answer as it works within a single second and I think provided what I ...
- 24.6k
93
votes
9
answers
339k
views
Run cURL commands from Windows console
Is there a way to install cURL in windows in order to run cURL commands from the command prompt?
- 1,233
93
votes
5
answers
234k
views
How to remove read-only attribute recursively on Windows
I need to remove read-only attributes of all files under a directory recursively on Windows using command line. Could you please provide an example on this?
- 2,390
93
votes
2
answers
355k
views
How to convert .img to usable VirtualBox format
I have a .img file for Windows 10, and I need to turn it into something which I can use in VirtualBox, such as an ISO, or turning it into a bootable virtual disk for an ICT project.
- 1,613
93
votes
6
answers
182k
views
How to remove items from the right click (context) menu in Windows?
The right click (context) menu is minimal and clean on a fresh installation of Windows. Install a bunch of applications and soon the context menu is loaded with all kinds of opening options from ...
- 10.2k
93
votes
9
answers
38k
views
Why does Windows only show about 3.5 GB of my 4 GB of RAM?
I recently upgraded my computer's RAM to 4 GB. My 32-bit Windows installation shows only 3574 MB of the memory. How can I make Windows use the full amount of RAM?
- 1,178
92
votes
4
answers
26k
views
What is the difference between pressing Alt+Tab and Ctrl+Alt+Tab?
When I press Alt+Tab, then I get a window to switch between windows. With Ctrl+Alt+Tab, I get the same result. What is the difference between them?
- 8,504
92
votes
12
answers
440k
views
Commmand line command to copy entire directory (including directory folder) to another directory
using the command line, I'd like to copy one directory to another. For example there is directory C:/test and C:/test2.
I'd like to copy C:/test into C:/test2 so that the result will be C:/test2/test
...
agezna
91
votes
8
answers
46k
views
My colleague often shuts down my machine through the LAN - how do I prevent it?
This might sound weird. My colleague and I were working on a Windows machine. He frequently shuts it down through the LAN.
He usually follows these steps:
Access command prompt, enter shutdown -i.
...
- 8,175
91
votes
13
answers
258k
views
How can I produce high CPU load on Windows?
For testing purposes I need to generate high CPU load on a Windows Server 2003.
I cannot install any software but have to make do with what Windows provides.
What would be the best way to achieve ...
- 911
91
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Windows Unable to Delete ._. File
I currently have a file on the root of my external hard drive simply named ._., which I am guessing was added to my hard drive after using it on my MacBook a while ago. I'm trying to delete this file ...
- 1,421
91
votes
6
answers
1.6m
views
How can I check a system's current NTP configuration?
I need to verify the current NTP configuration on some Windows systems. Ideally, I'd like to be able to do this via command line instead of navigating through configuration screens.
(I'm working on ...
- 13.8k
91
votes
3
answers
51k
views
How do I sync the Solution Explorer with the current File in Visual Studio?
When I have an open code file in Visual Studio that I am editing I would like to keep that same file highlighted inside of the solution Explorer so that I know where I am at.
What I'd really like ...
- 1,640
91
votes
5
answers
219k
views
Using wildcards in names in Windows hosts file
Is there a way to create a wildcard domain in the Windows hosts file.
I tried this
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx *.somedomain.com
This does not work, is there maybe some other syntax I should use?
I am ...
- 3,325
91
votes
7
answers
163k
views
Does this exist: software for noise cancellation [closed]
I'm aware that the best option for noise cancelling is to buy myself a pair of noise cancelling headphones...
But is there any software available that would use the pc mic and headphones to block ...
- 963
91
votes
9
answers
289k
views
How can I remap a keyboard key?
One of my laptop's keys has fallen off. Is there any way I can remap another key to serve as that key? I'll 'sacrifice' the other key because I never use it.
- 1,903
90
votes
15
answers
359k
views
Windows command that returns external IP
Is there a command by which I can find my external IP of my router or my NAT\DSL Router, etc., eliminating the need to visit whatsmyip.net or similar.
- 1,264
90
votes
37
answers
227k
views
How to force Windows to rename a file with a special character?
I have a song that Windows can't play because there is a question mark in the name of the file.
"Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?.ogg" // as an example
So I try to rename it and Windows complains ...
90
votes
6
answers
321k
views
Verifying USB connection speed (USB 3 or USB 2?)
I've purchased several new USB 3 capable drives to use with my new (USB 3 capable) laptop. They connect ok but I suspect they're silently falling back to USB 2. The sustained transfer rates I'm seeing ...
- 1,875
90
votes
8
answers
36k
views
Compose key on Windows
On Linux, the Compose key is a great way to enter many symbols. E.g.
em-dash — by pressing Compose then - - -
ö by pressing Compose then : o
Euro € by pressing Compose then C =
(The Compose key ...
- 1,249
89
votes
11
answers
310k
views
Can one take a partial screen shot in Windows 7?
One can take a screen shot of a part of the screen on a Mac with Cmd + Shift + 4.
Is there a similar functionality in Windows 7?
- 4,829
89
votes
5
answers
18k
views
Why does "cd.." work in the Windows command line?
When typing cd.. without a space between cd and .. the Windows command prompt will happily switch to the parent folder. Is there an explanation for this behaviour? The command does not follow the ...
- 988