Last Updated: 13 Aug 1997

Win95 Tips&Tricks ..... Compiled by Suthai Tanvinich


INTERNET & NETWORK

Q: I have two Win 95 machines connected through an Ethernet adapter. One has a modem and Internet connectivity. How can I configure them so I can use the one with the modem as a router for the other and have Internet connectivity with both through one modem?

A: By default, Windows 95 will not route TCP/IP. There is a key in the registry to allow static routing, but I recommend using a program such as WinGate. Instructions for setting it up are available at http://www.windows95.com/connect/lansing.html

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Q: I am trying to connect two computers in my house together (Pentium 90's with 16mb and an Ethernet NE2000 card and Win95). I can get each computer to "see" themselves in the Network Neighborhood, but the will not speak to each other. I have tried NetBEUI and TCP/IP protocols and nothing seems to work. Any hints or sites where I can get info on peer to peer networking in win95?

A: From my experience, 90% of the time when machines see themselves and not each other its either a cabling issue or its that the cards aren’t set correctly. Most NE2000 cards have a "softset" utility where you can check and change the setting for the card. One common mistake is assuming that the resources that Windows95 allocates for the netcard are the same as what the netcard is actually set for. Use the softset write down the IRQ and I/O address it reports. Go into Control Panel, Networks. Highlight the NE2000 card, click on Properties, click on Resources, and make sure the IRQ and I/O address match what softset reported.
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Q: I am trying to set my Win 95 up so that a friend can call and download and send things (Dial-Up Server, which comes with MS-PLUS). We have been having trouble getting it working, we tried everything but cannot get each other's computer to show up in the Network Neighborhood. (It always says something like There is no windows NT domain server to validate your account. I was wondering if you could help...

A: This is known issue with Windows95. A workaround for this problem is to set both computers to a Windows login. To do this go to Control Panel, Networks, Set primary Network Logon to Windows Logon.
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Dial-up Sharing with NETBEUI

When you dial-up to a remote server have you ever wondered why you couldn't see your computer or other remote computers on the network? Well, with NetBEUI there must be a couple of settings that must be correct to be able to see yourself and others on the network.

Click the Start button and go into Settings, then Control Panel. Click the Network icon. Click once on the NetBEUI protocol and select Properties. First, in the Bindings tab make sure File and Print Sharing and Client for Microsoft Networks are both checked. Then, in the Advanced tab make sure Maximum Sessions is 12 and NCBS is 10. Also make sure Set This to Be the Default Protocol is checked. Restart your computer and you should be able to see and share with other computers.
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Mapping Remote Systems as Network Drives

If you have a TCP/IP connection, and do a lot of FTPing from a specific site, why not add that site as a drive icon on your desktop?

First, you must create a file called LMHOSTS in your Windows directory. It has the following structure:

ip-address alias # the octothorpe starts a comment

e.g.:

198.105.232.1 MSFTP # Microsoft's FTP site

Next, right-click on My Computer and select Map Network Drive... Select a drive letter, and in the Path: text box, type the alias and a directory:

\\msftp\data

Select OK, wait, and you're on! Note that this works best with Windows 95 and Windows NT FTP sites. It works more or less with other FTP servers. It works just as well over PPP as over a direct connection. Your mileage may vary.
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View Your TCP/IP Configuration

In order to see your present TCP/IP configuration, Microsoft has included a program called winipcfg which gives you details of your setup. Start it using the Run command.
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Trace Internet Routes

Included with Windows 95 is a program called Trace Route. Open a dos window and type tracert location name. The location name can be any ip address or number, for example www.process.com. The program will then trace the route from your internet provider to that location, and show you every computer system along the way. Watch as you jump from cost to cost and over oceans via satelites and high speed connections instantly. Also very useful for when you can't connect to a site - it will show you if something is down along the way.
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Installing Internet Dialup

The following tip applies to those of you setting up Windows 95 to connect to an ISP, and only using a computer at home, not connected to another network, and using a modem connection:

The 2 components needed for this capability are the Dail-up adapter and TCP/IP Protocol settings. When only selecting the above 2 components, you must reenter the password every time you start to dial, and also when you connect to the ISP. To prevent the above from happening and saving you a few more things to type in, follow the below steps....

1. Go into your network settings, in control panel
2. Click on the Add button, Click on Client, Click on Microsoft, and choose Client for Microsoft Networks, and after you have installed the proper drivers from the disks, goto the Primary network Logon and choose Windows Logon.

After you reboot your computer and the next time you dial up to your ISP, you will be given the option to save your password, and also you will not have to reenter the password the second time also......
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For FTPing a lot of stuff!

The FTP client that comes with Windows 95 allows for a text file for a list of commands that you would like it to run.

1. Create a text file with a list of commands that you would like to be run
2. Type ftp -s:mytextfile

This tip helps speed up tedious file transfers.



IRQ'S

Viewing Available IRQ's



KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

Ctrl-Esc brings up the Start menu. F5 refreshes the active window or the Desktop. Shift-F10 is a context menu for the selection that works across the system and other Windows 95-compliant applications. If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, the Windows key invokes the Start menu, and the Applications key brings up the Context menu. Also, Windows-R is for Run, and Windows-E brings up Explorer. You can define your own hot keys for any shortcut inside the Start menu, and it will work no matter what window has the focus.
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General

Get specific help on selected item [F1]
Quit a program [ALT][F4]
Close a window [CTRL][F4]
View the Shortcut menu for selected item [SHIFT][F10]
Display Start menu [CTRL][ESC]
Switch to last window used [ALT][TAB]
Cycle through open applications [ALT][TAB], [ALT][TAB], [ALT][TAB]. . .
Bypass CD or CD-ROM autoplay [SHIFT] while inserting the disc
Select first item on menu bar [F10]
Move through menu headings [LEFT ARROW],[RIGHT ARROW]
Open a menu [DOWN ARROW]
Move through menus [UP ARROW],[DOWN ARROW]
Move to menu where X is underlined [ALT]X
Close current menu selection [ESC]
Cancel current selection on menu bar [ALT] or [F10]
Open application's Control menu [ALT][SPACEBAR]
Open document's Control menu [ALT][-]
Close current document window [CTRL][F4]
Switch to the next document window [CTRL][F6]
Toggle maximized and windowed displays [MOUSE R][MOUSE R] on title bar
Copy a file [MOUSE R] drag the file, [C]
Create a shortcut [CTRL][SHIFT] drag the file
Create a shortcut [MOUSE R] drag an item, [S]
Delete an item Drag to Recycle Bin
Delete an item to Recycle Bin [DEL]
Undo delete [MOUSE R] on desktop, [U]
Delete an item with no undelete [SHIFT][DEL]
Delete an item with no undelete [SHIFT][MOUSE R], [D]
Delete an item with no undelete [SHIFT]drag item to Recycle Bin
Select first menu on menu bar [ALT]
Add Toolbar to any Windows applet or folder [ALT][V], [T]
Move forward through dialog box options [TAB]
Move backward through dialog box options [SHIFT][TAB]
Move between tabs [CTRL][TAB]
Move to an option with the letter X underlined [ALT]X
Open a list box [ALT][DOWN ARROW]
Go to the top of a list box [HOME]
Go to the bottom of a list box [END]
Move to item in list box starting with X X
Select or deselect items in a check box or list box [SPACEBAR]
Select or deselect one item at a time in a list box [SHIFT][UP ARROW]
Select or deselect one item at a time in a list box [SHIFT][DOWN ARROW]
Make noncontiguous selections from list box [CTRL][LEFT ARROW], [MOUSE L]
Open Look In list (Open dialog) [F4]
Open Save In list (Save as dialog) [F4]
Open folder a level up from current folder [BACKSPACE]
Create a new folder [MOUSE R], [W], [F]
Jump to a desktop item Type initial characters
Rename an item [F2]
Find a file or folder [F3]
Cut selected item [CTRL][X]
Copy selected item [CTRL][C]
Paste copied or cut item [CTRL][V]
View an item's Properties [ALT][ENTER]
View an item's Properties [ALT][MOUSE R][MOUSE R]
Create a shortcut [MOUSE R]drag the file, [S]
Close parent folders [SHIFT] click on the Close button
Correct displayed time [MOUSE R] on [ALT][T], [UP ARROW], [DOWN ARROW][A], [TAB] to adjust, [ALT][A]
Line up icons [MOUSE R], [E]
Turn on (or turn off) icons' autoarrange [MOUSE R], [I], [A]
Minimize all windows [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [M]
Cascade all windows [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [C]
Tile all windows horizontally [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [H]
Tile all windows vertically [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [V]
Undo last Desktop command [MOUSE R], [U]
Change the Desktop's properties [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R]
Change background pattern [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], select option, [ALT][A]
Change wallpaper [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [ALT][W], select option, [ALT][A]
Tile wallpaper [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [ALT]T, [ALT][A]
Center wallpaper [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [ALT]C, [ALT][A]
Change screen saver [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [ALT][S]
Password-protect screen saver [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [ALT][P]
Change password [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [ALT][C]
Change screen saver setup [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [ALT][T]
Preview screen saver [MOUSE R] on desktop, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [ALT][V]
Change screen saver wait time [MOUSE R]on desktop, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [ALT][W]

Taskbar

Hide Taskbar [MOUSE R], [R], [U]
Restore hidden Taskbar [MOUSE R], [R], [U]
Remove clock from Tray [MOUSE R], [R], [C]
Cascade all windows [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [C]
Tile all windows horizontally [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [H]
Tile all windows vertically [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [V]
Undo last Desktop command [MOUSE R], [U]
Reduce size of icons in Start menu [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [R], [S]
Clear contents of Documents menu [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [C]
Add item to Start menu [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [A], [ALT][B]

Start Menu

Activate Start menu [CTRL][ESC]
Activate Start menu from Desktop [CTRL][ESC]
Activate Start menu from Desktop [ALT][S]
Add item to Start menu [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [A], [ALT][B]
Remove items from Start menu [MOUSE R] on Start button, O, P, [ENTER]
Reduce size of icons in Start menu [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [R], [S]
Clear contents of Documents menu [MOUSE R] on Taskbar, [R], [CTRL][TAB], [C]
Bring up Find utility [MOUSE R] on Start button, [F]

Recycle Bin

Empty Recycle Bin [MOUSE R], [B]
Cancel delete confirmation dialog box [MOUSE R], [R], [D]
Reinstate delete confirmation dialog box [MOUSE R], [R], [D]
Cancel undelete option for every deletion [MOUSE R], [R], [R]

Explorer

Open Explorer [MOUSE R] on Start button, [E]
Refresh a window [F5]
Go to a named folder [CTRL][G], enter name
Jump to a folder Type its initial character(s)
Undo [CTRL][Z]
Select all [CTRL][A]
Move one level up [BACKSPACE]
Close selected folder and its parents [SHIFT][L] on Close button
Rename an item [F2]
Find a file or folder [F3]
Cut selected item [CTRL][X]
Copy selected item [CTRL][C]
Paste copied or cut item [CTRL][V]
Delete an item to Recycle Bin [DEL]
Delete an item to Recycle Bin [MOUSE R], [D]
Delete an item with no undelete [SHIFT][DEL] or [SHIFT][MOUSE R], [D]
View an item's Properties [ALT][ENTER]
View an item's Properties [ALT][MOUSE R][MOUSE R]
Copy a file [CTRL] drag the file
Create a shortcut [CTRL][SHIFT] drag the file
Switch between left and right panes [F6]
Expand current folder's subfolders [*] on numeric keypad
Expand the selected folder [+] on numeric keypad
Collapse the selected folder [-] on numeric keypad
Expand current selection [RIGHT ARROW]
Select first subfolder (if expanded) [RIGHT ARROW]
Collapse current selection [LEFT ARROW]
Select parent folder (if collapsed) [LEFT ARROW]
Change icon size to small [ALT][V], [M]
Change icon size to small [MOUSE R], [V], [M]
Change icon size to large [ALT][V], [G]
Change icon size to large [MOUSE R], [V], [G]
Change icon view to a list [ALT][V], [L]
Change icon view to a list [MOUSE R], [V], [L]
Change icon view to a detailed list [ALT]V, [D]
Change icon view to a detailed list [MOUSE R], [V], [D]
Arrange icons in alphabetical order [ALT]V, [I], [N]
Arrange icons in alphabetical order [MOUSE R], [I], [N]
Arrange icons by size [ALT][V], [I], [S]
Arrange icons by size [MOUSE R], [I], [S]
Arrange icons by type [ALT][V], [I], [T]
Arrange icons by type [MOUSE R], [I], [T]
Arrange icons by modification date [ALT][V], [I], [D]
Arrange icons by modification date [MOUSE R], [I], [D]
Line up icons [ALT]V, [I], [E]
Line up icons [MOUSE R], [I], [E]
Add Toolbar to any Windows applet or folder [ALT][V], [T]
Activate the Toolbar's List box [TAB]
Activate the Toolbar's List box [F4]

Managing Folders

Find a file or folder [F3]
Cut selected item [CTRL][X]
Copy selected item [CTRL][C]
Paste copied or cut item [CTRL][V]
Delete an item to Recycle Bin [DEL]
Delete an item to Recycle Bin [MOUSE R], [D]
Undo delete [MOUSE R] on desktop,[U]
Delete an item with no undelete [SHIFT][DEL]
View an item's Properties [ALT][ENTER]
Copy a file [CTRL] drag the file
Create a shortcut [CTRL][SHIFT] drag the file

Fonts Folder

Install a new font [ALT][F], [I]
Hide font variations (bold, italic, etc.) [ALT][V], [H]
List fonts by similarity [ALT][V], [S]

Printers Folder

Pause print job on selected printer [ALT][F], [A]
Pause print job on selected printer [MOUSE R], [A]
Purge print job on selected printer [ALT][F], [U]
Purge print job on selected printer [MOUSE R], [U]
Set default printer [ALT][F], [F]
Set default printer [MOUSE R], [F]
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Hotkeys to start a Program:

R/click icon, Properties, Shortcut tab, then just type the letter in the Shortcut Key field, Ctrl+Alt will be automatically added in front of it.

If want to use Ctrl+Shift+Letter, hold dn the Ctrl & the Shift keys then type the letter.

Hotkeys will only work for shortcuts that are on the Start button or in one of the Start menus, Can't have Hotkeys to the shortcuts on the Desktop!

Hotkey for TaskManager

Create shortcut for Win95\Taskman.exe & use above method to create hotkey (Ctrl+Alt+T) then drag it to the Start button. Now you can always call up the Taskman with the hotkey.



LONG FILENAME (LFN)

By the way, potential long file name damage isn't limited to third-party utilities. The following MS-DOS utilities can also cause you trouble:

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Q: I am trying to unzip a file that contains programs w/LFN's. Whenever I go to unzip it, pkunzip sees the first eight characters of the second program, and gives the message that the program already exists. Most of the zipped programs have the same first name of about ten characters, so this happens with almost every program in the zipfile. How can I unzip a file like that?

A: Pkunzip is not long filename aware. You need a Win95 compression utility such as Winzip. You can grab it at:

http://www.windows95.com/apps/compress.html.
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Still like to use DOS under Windows 95, but getting sick of the ~'s in the long file names?...here's the solution.

In REGEDIT, make your way to:

Hkey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem.

Right click the value pane and select New Binary Value. Label the value NameNumericTail and press enter, then double click it. In the data value box, you will see 0000, with the cursor flashing just next to it. Type 0 and REGEDIT will add a second 0 for you, then click OK and restart Windows.

Now any NEW long file or directory (i.e. called "My long directory") will be listed under DOS as MYLONGDI, instead of MYLONG~1. This works for everything, and if two items happen to have the same first 8 letters it defaults back to the ~ system.

WARNING: You should only implement this tip if you are a VERY experienced user of Windows 95. Some installation programs (especially Microsoft update programs) force the registry to use the original shortened filenames, so you must use this tip with EXTREME caution, or your system will not operate properly. As with all tips in Win95Mag, if you use this tip, you do so at your own risk.
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Make Windows Truncate Long Filenames Better

In Windows 95 a file name can be up to 255 characters. You can now have file names with spaces and as many periods as you wish. Unfortunately Microsoft's way of converting long names to the short version is by adding a tilde and numeric character to the end of a file name (e.g. "Kobie tips for Windows.doc" will be converted to Kobie~1.doc).

You can get around this problem by changing the registry in the following way :

Using REGEDIT.EXE
in the Windows directory open your registry. Click on the + to the left of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then system, CurrentControlSet, and Control. Highlight File System. Right click the right-hand side of the registry window. On the pop-up menu click New, then Binary Value. Type in NameNumericTail and press enter. Double-click NameNumericTail then type 0 (zero) as the complete binary value. Click OK and restart Windows.

You have just created a whole new, undocumented entry in the registry. This will cause the shortname versions of the files to be as close as possible to that of the long name. (e.g. Thiscomputer.doc will be Thiscomp.doc and not Thisco~1.doc). It will only start adding numbers if you have more than one shortname with the same result.
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Use Long Filenames at the Command Prompt

Now that you can have long directory names, and particularly now that you can have directory names with spaces in them, how do you deal with that at the DOS command line? You can enter long file names, even those with spaces in them, by enclosing them in quotes:

dir "Cool Windows Utilities"

or cd "cool windows utilities"\insteasy

Note that, as with "real" DOS, case doesn't count.
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Rename Long File Names From the DOS Prompt

I am using Windows 95 and want to rename a group of files with similar names. The Windows 3.x File Manager would let me use wild cards to rename a group of files. I have not been able to find a similar method in Windows 95. I could do it from DOS, but the rename command won't support long file names. Any suggestions?

The DOS Rename command works fine for long file names.
The trick: You must put anything that represents a long file name in quotation marks.

For example, the DOS prompt has no problem with a command like ren "1996 reports*.doc" "1997 reports*.doc". Or if you have files whose names begin with three-letter abbreviations for months (such as Jan report draft.doc), you could rename them with a command like ren "??? r*.doc" "??? reports completed.*". (The combination of wild cards and regular characters you use depends in part on which files you want to filter out.)

DOS's Rename command has the same limitations with long file names as it does with short ones: The changed portion cannot be longer than the old portion. Otherwise, the change will overwrite some or all of the characters represented by the wild card (unless the change comes at the end of the name, as in the last example above). To see the results of your changes, use the dir command, put long file names in quotation marks, and include any wild cards you want. You'll see the long file names in the right column of the directory listing.


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