====== Event Log Error 153 ======

From: https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/ntdebugging/2013/04/30/interpreting-event-153-errors/

<code>
A system administrator who encounters event 153 errors should investigate the health of 
the computer’s disk subsystem.  Although an occasional timeout may be part of the normal 
operation of a system, the frequent need to retry requests indicates a performance issue 
with the storage that should be corrected.
</code>

The IO operation at logical block address for Disk 0 (PDO name: \Device\ was retried 


====== windows 8.1 change order of wireless networks ======

From: http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2014/03/05/windows-8-1-tips-manage-wireless-network-profiles.aspx

<code>
    Netsh.exe
    wlan
    show interface
    show profile
    set profileorder name=slcwirelessstu2 interface="Wi-Fi" priority=1
    And finally, if you wanted to change the preferred order for your machine to connect to specific 
    wireless network, you could move a network up in the priority list by using the command:
    set profileorder name=goose interface="Wi-Fi" priority=1
</code>
    
====== Visual Effects performance options turn off ======

From: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5657-visual-effects-adjust-windows-8-a.html

<code>
The visual effect settings below are the most common ones to turn off (uncheck) to help improve performance.

Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
Animations in the taskbar
Fade or slide menus into view
Fade or slide ToolTips into view
Fade out menu items after clicking
Show shadows under windows
Slide open combo boxes

If you like, you can click/tap on a link below for these Visual Effects to see how to quickly change them 
in the Registry Editor instead.
Animate controls and elements inside windows
Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
Animations in the taskbar
Enable Peek
Save taskbar thumbnail previews
Show thumbnails instead of icons
Show translucent slection rectangle
Show window contents while dragging
Smooth edges of screen fonts
Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop
</code>




http://www.terryscomputertips.com/computers/speeding-up-windows-xp-fine-tuning-visual-effects/

Speeding Up Windows XP – Fine-Tuning Visual Effects
By Terry Stockdale


http://www.pcwintech.com/increase-windows-performance-changing-visual-effects-xp-vista

Increase Windows Performance By Changing Visual Effects (XP, Vista & 7)

For some, including myself, don't care about how pretty things are in Windows. And a lot of times the visual effects aren't even noticeable in the first place.

====== windows 8 will not allow deletion of wifi for main account ======

wireless profiles remove wifi connections

From: http://lifehacker.com/delete-wi-fi-networks-in-windows-8-from-the-command-lin-513411677
Also (with examples): http://www.fixedbyvonnie.com/2013/06/how-to-forget-a-wifi-network-in-windows-8/#.UvLDZSg_4fw

    netsh wlan show profiles
    netsh wlan show profiles name=[profile name] key=clear
    netsh wlan delete profile name=[profile name]
    netsh wlan delete profile name=[profile name] interface=[interface name]
    netsh wlan set profileorder name="network_name" interface="interface_name" priority=1
    netsh interface set interface name=OLDName newname="Newname"
    
From: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/list-freeware-releases-from-the-windows-club?8c730d

    WiFi Profile Manager 8 is a simple tool to view your Preferred Wireless Network Profiles in Windows 8.
    This tool tries to replace the functionality of the Wi-Fi Preferred Network dialog box of Windows 7.
    
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan\eunoia
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc
    HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-586769809-3033485659-635397686-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan\eunoia
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Signatures\Unmanaged
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Nla\Cache 
    
    HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-586769809-3033485659-635397686-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan\eunoia
    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs
    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs\.xml
    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan\eunoia
    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan\eunoia
    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan\eunoia
    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan\eunoia
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WlanSvc\Interfaces\{3EE3DE7F-0192-4096-99FC-1D2ED6257E61}\Profiles\{565A3D08-8F67-4DE2-9C4B-117A58200853}\MetaData
    
    
    Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces to find and delete your profile 
    (it's an xml file).
    
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces\{3EE3DE7F-0192-4096-99FC-1D2ED6257E61}\{565A3D08-8F67-4DE2-9C4B-117A58200853}.xml
    C:\Users\Marcus\Documents\Wi-Fi-eunoia.xml
    C:\Windows\System32\NDF\eventlog.etl

==== Windows Solution for Windows 8 ====

From: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/manage-wireless-network-profiles
    
    Change PC settings ... Network, tap or click Connections    
====== Ways To Change Network Status From Public To Private In Windows 8 ======

From: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/change-network-status-public-private-windows

    Change Network Status Using Group Policy Editor
    Command prompt    
====== How to Run Windows XP for Free in Windows 8 ======

From: http://lifehacker.com/5965889/how-to-run-windows-xp-for-free-in-windows-8

    He discovered that within the free WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe file, there's a VirtualXPVHD file containing 
    the Windows XP virtual machine, which you can open in VirtualBox. you'll find a file called VirtualXPVHD.
    Rename it with a VHD extension.

====== How To Build A Desktop Start Menu Replacement In Windows 8.1 ======

From: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-build-a-desktop-start-menu-replacement-in-windows-8-1/

     Step 1: Boot To Desktop
     Step 2: Make Start Button Open Apps View
     Bonus: Fix Up Your Apps Menu
     shutdown or restart shortcut
     One Last Trick: Right-Click The Start Button

====== Workaround for Windows 8 freezing issues ======

From http://withinwindows.com/2012/06/28/workaround-for-windows-8-freezing-issues/

    Edit: A hotfix has been released. An official workaround, courtesy of Microsoft Senior SDET 
    hero Tripp Parks, is now available for those experiencing Windows 8 freezing issues. Simply 
    open an elevated command prompt, issue the following command, and reboot:
    bcdedit /set disabledynamictick yes

====== Windows 8 Tip: Sign In to a Domain and Still Use Live Services ======

From: http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-tip-sign-domain-live-services-143454

There are two methods, which offer varying levels of capability. First, you simply run each of the many connected apps and sign in separately; this would let you utilize the apps, but won’t sync settings from other PCs, through SkyDrive, to this PC. Or, you could connect your Microsoft account to your domain account, which has the added benefit of adding the PC-to-PC sync capability.

====== Logout Shutdown Restart ======

From: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-restart-log-off-sleep-and-shutdown-windows-8/

====== Reset Password ======
  * Can Reset the Hotmail Password form net
  
  
  
  * http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/forgot-windows-password
  * http://www.geek.com/news/windows-8-password-reset-trick-requires-no-third-party-software-1532242/ - clear or change a user’s Windows 8 password without using anything but the built-in troubleshooting tools. 
    The trick, as detailed by Jamal Naji, boils down to replacing the Ease of Access center application (utilman.exe) 
    with another copy of the command prompt (cmd.exe).
    
From: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/555910/how-to-enable-the-built-in-administrator-account-in-windows-vista

   At the command prompt, type net user administrator /active:yes, and then press Enter.
Type net user administrator <Password>,         
    
  * Bodusoft
  * Possibly slax
====== How to change network location type in Windows 8 ======

From: http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/18934-change-network-location-from-public-to-private-in-windows-8



====== Introduction ======

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232749/Windows_8_cheat_sheet?taxonomyId=125&pageNumber=1

it's not that tough to master Windows 8. In this cheat sheet I'll show you how to get the most out of the new Start screen and its apps, the Desktop, the new Charms bar, Internet Explorer 10 and plenty more.


===== Brief Tutorial from University of Nebraska =====

http://learningspaces.unl.edu/pictures/WIN8.pdf


====== ShortCuts ======

http://spiffy.sg/general/windows-8-cheat-sheet-get-started-easily/

Keyboard, Mouse, Touch Shortcuts Cheat Sheet


http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/windows8/keyboard-touch-commands-144848

Print it out as a small card and leave it on the desks of users. You can put your organization's logo on the back if double sided




====== How to make Windows 8 look like Windows 7 ======


http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/software-and-web-apps/how-to-make-windows-8-look-like-windows-7-50009546/


In this how-to guide, I'll reveal how to water down or ignore some of Windows 8's more controversial features and restore functionality you thought had gone forever.


====== Get Start Menu Back ======

From: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57496506-292/how-to-get-the-start-menu-back-in-windows-8/

    Several third-party utilities can serve as Start menu replacements for Windows 8 users who aren't as keen 
    on the new Start screen.

From: http://www.maximumpc.com/best_windows_8_start_menu_2014?page=0,1
 
    Perform a simple search for “Windows 8 Start Menu” and you’ll find a smorgasbord of apps with one purpose 
    in mind: bringing back the button at any cost.
==== ClassicShell ====


From: http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/


    Classic Shell is a collection of features that were available in older versions of Windows but were 
    later removed. It has a customizable Start menu and Start button for Windows 7 and Windows 8, it adds 
    a toolbar for Windows Explorer and supports a variety of smaller features.

==== Start Menu Reviver 2.0 ====

From: http://www.reviversoft.com/start-menu-reviver/

    Start Menu Reviver is the only Start menu that truly combines the familiar navigation structure of previous 
    Start menus with the unique tile design of Micorsoft's new modern Windows direction.
==== StartMenu8 ====


From: http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

    StartMenu8 is specially designed for Windows 8. It offers a perfect solution for users who work with Windows Start 
    Menu all the time and are not accustomed to the new Metro start screen in Windows 8. This smart tool brings back 
    both the start button and Windows Start Menu, and offers the option to skip Metro start page, allowing users who 
    only work on desktop to boot to Windows 8 desktop directly.

==== New Taskbar ====

From: http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/3-ways-to-tweak-windows-8-to-look-more-like-windows-7/

    Additionally, users who want a very close approximation to a Start menu – unused apps and all – can create it. 
    Right-click on the taskbar, go to Taskbars in the context menu, then click New Taskbar. When an open folder 
    window pops up, type the following:

    %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs


====== customize to Windows 7 look and feel ======

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/software-and-web-apps/how-to-make-windows-8-look-like-windows-7-50009546/


====== windows 8 Upgrade Assistant ======

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8#TopOfPageTarget

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/buy?ocid=GA8_O_WOL_Hero_ShopHP_FPP_Null