‏إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات Windows 8. إظهار كافة الرسائل
‏إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات Windows 8. إظهار كافة الرسائل

الجمعة، 3 أغسطس 2012

Hide / Remove “User Picture” in Windows Vista and 7 Start Menu



Windows Vista and Windows 7 show your user picture at top-right corner of Start Menu. You can click on this user picture to directly open user account settings page.

Many times when you use a 3rd party Windows theme, you might want to hide or remove this user picture from Start Menu as it doesn't match with the new theme and ruins the look of Start Menu.

If you also want to hide user picture in Windows Vista or 7 Start Menu, here is a very easy to use and simple solution for you.




Now we are going to share yet another cool feature of "Classic Shell" freeware. It can also hide user picture in Windows Start Menu. Following screenshot shows Windows 7 Start Menu without user picture:



You just need to follow these simple steps to remove user picture from Windows Vista and 7 Start Menu:

1. Download and install Classic Shell using following link:

Download Classic Shell

2. Once you install it, it'll replace Windows Start Menu with Classic Start Menu. Right-click on Start ORB and select Settings option.

3. Now click on "Windows Start Menu" radio button given in "Left Click opens" section as shown in following screenshot:



It'll re-enable Windows Start Menu for left-click. If you want, you can also follow the same steps for "Windows Key opens" section.

4. Now we need to hide user picture in Start Menu.

Go to "Windows Start Menu" tab and enable "Hide User Picture" option as shown in following screenshot:



5. That's it. It'll immediately hide user picture from Start Menu. Enjoy the minimal and clean Start Menu which you always wanted.

Do you know any other cool feature of Classic Shell? Feel free to share it in your comment...

Other similar articles that may interest you:

Hide / Remove “User Picture” in Windows Vista and 7 Start Menu



Windows Vista and Windows 7 show your user picture at top-right corner of Start Menu. You can click on this user picture to directly open user account settings page.

Many times when you use a 3rd party Windows theme, you might want to hide or remove this user picture from Start Menu as it doesn't match with the new theme and ruins the look of Start Menu.

If you also want to hide user picture in Windows Vista or 7 Start Menu, here is a very easy to use and simple solution for you.




Now we are going to share yet another cool feature of "Classic Shell" freeware. It can also hide user picture in Windows Start Menu. Following screenshot shows Windows 7 Start Menu without user picture:



You just need to follow these simple steps to remove user picture from Windows Vista and 7 Start Menu:

1. Download and install Classic Shell using following link:

Download Classic Shell

2. Once you install it, it'll replace Windows Start Menu with Classic Start Menu. Right-click on Start ORB and select Settings option.

3. Now click on "Windows Start Menu" radio button given in "Left Click opens" section as shown in following screenshot:



It'll re-enable Windows Start Menu for left-click. If you want, you can also follow the same steps for "Windows Key opens" section.

4. Now we need to hide user picture in Start Menu.

Go to "Windows Start Menu" tab and enable "Hide User Picture" option as shown in following screenshot:



5. That's it. It'll immediately hide user picture from Start Menu. Enjoy the minimal and clean Start Menu which you always wanted.

Do you know any other cool feature of Classic Shell? Feel free to share it in your comment...

Other similar articles that may interest you:

Hide / Remove “User Picture” in Windows Vista and 7 Start Menu



Windows Vista and Windows 7 show your user picture at top-right corner of Start Menu. You can click on this user picture to directly open user account settings page.

Many times when you use a 3rd party Windows theme, you might want to hide or remove this user picture from Start Menu as it doesn't match with the new theme and ruins the look of Start Menu.

If you also want to hide user picture in Windows Vista or 7 Start Menu, here is a very easy to use and simple solution for you.




Now we are going to share yet another cool feature of "Classic Shell" freeware. It can also hide user picture in Windows Start Menu. Following screenshot shows Windows 7 Start Menu without user picture:



You just need to follow these simple steps to remove user picture from Windows Vista and 7 Start Menu:

1. Download and install Classic Shell using following link:

Download Classic Shell

2. Once you install it, it'll replace Windows Start Menu with Classic Start Menu. Right-click on Start ORB and select Settings option.

3. Now click on "Windows Start Menu" radio button given in "Left Click opens" section as shown in following screenshot:



It'll re-enable Windows Start Menu for left-click. If you want, you can also follow the same steps for "Windows Key opens" section.

4. Now we need to hide user picture in Start Menu.

Go to "Windows Start Menu" tab and enable "Hide User Picture" option as shown in following screenshot:



5. That's it. It'll immediately hide user picture from Start Menu. Enjoy the minimal and clean Start Menu which you always wanted.

Do you know any other cool feature of Classic Shell? Feel free to share it in your comment...

Other similar articles that may interest you:

السبت، 16 يونيو 2012

Transform Windows XP into Windows 8 Using Windows 8 Release Preview Kit


We all know that Microsoft is providing Windows 8 Release Preview build free to download for public which can be downloaded using following link:
Windows 8 comes with lots of new features and GUI changes like new theme, boot screen, cursors, start menu, ribbon UI in Explorer, etc. You can take a look at all these new features in our exclusive Windows 8 review.
If you are still using Windows XP and are not in mood to install Windows 8 Release Preview build but want to enjoy all Windows 8 new features and GUI changes in good old Windows XP, this tutorial will definitely help you.
This tutorial will assist you in transforming Windows XP into Windows 8 Release Preview without using any 3rd party customization pack. You'll change all the things manually to make Windows XP look-like Windows 8 Release Preview.
Following is a preview of the output which you'll get after following this tutorial:
Windows_8_Release_Preview_Kit_XP
So without wasting time, lets start the tutorial:
STEP 1: Thanks to our friend "PeterRollar" @ DA who created a complete Windows 8 Release Preview kit which contains following goodies for Windows XP which will help you in transforming Windows XP into Windows 8:
  • Windows 8 look-like window border skin
  • Ribbons for Windows Explorer
  • Windows 8 look-like Taskbar and system tray
  • Windows 8 Boot screen
  • Windows 8 look-like start menu
  • Windows 8 wallpapers
  • Windows 8 cursors
  • Windows 8 look-like Charms Bar
  • Windows 8 version info
You can download the whole pack using following link:
STEP 2: Once you download the RAR file, extract it using WinRAR or 7-Zip.
STEP 3: Now go to "BorderSkin CP" folder and run "BorderSkin.exe" file. It'll provide Windows 8 look-like glass border in Windows Explorer window. You can learn more about Border Skin here.
STEP 4: Now you'll need to install Styler software and apply the styler skins present in "Styler toolbars" folder present in the pack. To learn how to use Styler, please visit following tutorial:
It'll provide Windows 8 look-like Ribbon UI in Windows XP Explorer. You can select any of 2 skins: Maximize the ribbon or Minimize the ribbon.
STEP 5: If you also want to enjoy Windows 8 cursors in Windows XP, you can get them in "Cursors" folder present in the pack. Just right-click on .inf file and it'll install the cursors in your system. Now you can apply the cursors using Mouse applet present in Control Panel.
STEP 6: Now you'll need to install SBar which provides Windows 7 and Windows 8 like Taskbar functionality in Windows XP and Vista. After installing SBar, apply the skin present in "Basic for SBar" folder of the kit.
STEP 7: Now it's time for installing Windows 8 boot screen. You'll need to install "Tuneup Utilities" to apply the boot screen. The boot screen can be found in "TuneUp Bootscreen" folder of the kit.
STEP 8: The "win8_consumer_preview_charmsbar..." folder present in the pack contains a skin for RocketDock utility which will provide Windows 8 look-like Charms Bar in Windows XP. Check out following tutorial for more details:
STEP 9: To have Windows 8 look-like new tiny start menu, you'll need to install ViStart. Once you install ViStart, apply its skin from "W8 Startmenu" folder.
STEP 10: If you want to change Windows XP version info to Windows 8, i.e. when you check Windows version by typing winver command in RUN dialog box or using any other method, Windows will show the version info as Windows 8 release Preview instead of Windows XP.
To change version info, you'll need to replace a system file "xpsp1res.dll" present in System32 folder with the new DLL file present in "Version info W8 RP" folder in the pack. You'll need to use Replacer for this task.
STEP 11: The kit also contains a few official Windows 8 wallpapers which can be applied using Desktop Properties.
STEP 12: There are many things which are same in Windows 7 and Windows 8 so you can also visit following tutorial to apply Windows 7 or Windows 8 icons, Progress dialog box, shutdown dialog box, System Properties, Aero Shake, Aero Snap, Aero Peek, Calculator, Paint, Context menu, Drive status bar, etc:
Also visit following tutorial to get some 3rd party software which also work in Windows XP and provide Windows 8 features like User tile in Taskbar, Windows 8 Start screen, etc:
Feel free to ask any kind of questions in your comment if you face any problem in following this tutorial...

Transform Windows XP into Windows 8 Using Windows 8 Release Preview Kit


We all know that Microsoft is providing Windows 8 Release Preview build free to download for public which can be downloaded using following link:
Windows 8 comes with lots of new features and GUI changes like new theme, boot screen, cursors, start menu, ribbon UI in Explorer, etc. You can take a look at all these new features in our exclusive Windows 8 review.
If you are still using Windows XP and are not in mood to install Windows 8 Release Preview build but want to enjoy all Windows 8 new features and GUI changes in good old Windows XP, this tutorial will definitely help you.
This tutorial will assist you in transforming Windows XP into Windows 8 Release Preview without using any 3rd party customization pack. You'll change all the things manually to make Windows XP look-like Windows 8 Release Preview.
Following is a preview of the output which you'll get after following this tutorial:
Windows_8_Release_Preview_Kit_XP
So without wasting time, lets start the tutorial:
STEP 1: Thanks to our friend "PeterRollar" @ DA who created a complete Windows 8 Release Preview kit which contains following goodies for Windows XP which will help you in transforming Windows XP into Windows 8:
  • Windows 8 look-like window border skin
  • Ribbons for Windows Explorer
  • Windows 8 look-like Taskbar and system tray
  • Windows 8 Boot screen
  • Windows 8 look-like start menu
  • Windows 8 wallpapers
  • Windows 8 cursors
  • Windows 8 look-like Charms Bar
  • Windows 8 version info
You can download the whole pack using following link:
STEP 2: Once you download the RAR file, extract it using WinRAR or 7-Zip.
STEP 3: Now go to "BorderSkin CP" folder and run "BorderSkin.exe" file. It'll provide Windows 8 look-like glass border in Windows Explorer window. You can learn more about Border Skin here.
STEP 4: Now you'll need to install Styler software and apply the styler skins present in "Styler toolbars" folder present in the pack. To learn how to use Styler, please visit following tutorial:
It'll provide Windows 8 look-like Ribbon UI in Windows XP Explorer. You can select any of 2 skins: Maximize the ribbon or Minimize the ribbon.
STEP 5: If you also want to enjoy Windows 8 cursors in Windows XP, you can get them in "Cursors" folder present in the pack. Just right-click on .inf file and it'll install the cursors in your system. Now you can apply the cursors using Mouse applet present in Control Panel.
STEP 6: Now you'll need to install SBar which provides Windows 7 and Windows 8 like Taskbar functionality in Windows XP and Vista. After installing SBar, apply the skin present in "Basic for SBar" folder of the kit.
STEP 7: Now it's time for installing Windows 8 boot screen. You'll need to install "Tuneup Utilities" to apply the boot screen. The boot screen can be found in "TuneUp Bootscreen" folder of the kit.
STEP 8: The "win8_consumer_preview_charmsbar..." folder present in the pack contains a skin for RocketDock utility which will provide Windows 8 look-like Charms Bar in Windows XP. Check out following tutorial for more details:
STEP 9: To have Windows 8 look-like new tiny start menu, you'll need to install ViStart. Once you install ViStart, apply its skin from "W8 Startmenu" folder.
STEP 10: If you want to change Windows XP version info to Windows 8, i.e. when you check Windows version by typing winver command in RUN dialog box or using any other method, Windows will show the version info as Windows 8 release Preview instead of Windows XP.
To change version info, you'll need to replace a system file "xpsp1res.dll" present in System32 folder with the new DLL file present in "Version info W8 RP" folder in the pack. You'll need to use Replacer for this task.
STEP 11: The kit also contains a few official Windows 8 wallpapers which can be applied using Desktop Properties.
STEP 12: There are many things which are same in Windows 7 and Windows 8 so you can also visit following tutorial to apply Windows 7 or Windows 8 icons, Progress dialog box, shutdown dialog box, System Properties, Aero Shake, Aero Snap, Aero Peek, Calculator, Paint, Context menu, Drive status bar, etc:
Also visit following tutorial to get some 3rd party software which also work in Windows XP and provide Windows 8 features like User tile in Taskbar, Windows 8 Start screen, etc:
Feel free to ask any kind of questions in your comment if you face any problem in following this tutorial...

Transform Windows XP into Windows 8 Using Windows 8 Release Preview Kit


We all know that Microsoft is providing Windows 8 Release Preview build free to download for public which can be downloaded using following link:
Windows 8 comes with lots of new features and GUI changes like new theme, boot screen, cursors, start menu, ribbon UI in Explorer, etc. You can take a look at all these new features in our exclusive Windows 8 review.
If you are still using Windows XP and are not in mood to install Windows 8 Release Preview build but want to enjoy all Windows 8 new features and GUI changes in good old Windows XP, this tutorial will definitely help you.
This tutorial will assist you in transforming Windows XP into Windows 8 Release Preview without using any 3rd party customization pack. You'll change all the things manually to make Windows XP look-like Windows 8 Release Preview.
Following is a preview of the output which you'll get after following this tutorial:
Windows_8_Release_Preview_Kit_XP
So without wasting time, lets start the tutorial:
STEP 1: Thanks to our friend "PeterRollar" @ DA who created a complete Windows 8 Release Preview kit which contains following goodies for Windows XP which will help you in transforming Windows XP into Windows 8:
  • Windows 8 look-like window border skin
  • Ribbons for Windows Explorer
  • Windows 8 look-like Taskbar and system tray
  • Windows 8 Boot screen
  • Windows 8 look-like start menu
  • Windows 8 wallpapers
  • Windows 8 cursors
  • Windows 8 look-like Charms Bar
  • Windows 8 version info
You can download the whole pack using following link:
STEP 2: Once you download the RAR file, extract it using WinRAR or 7-Zip.
STEP 3: Now go to "BorderSkin CP" folder and run "BorderSkin.exe" file. It'll provide Windows 8 look-like glass border in Windows Explorer window. You can learn more about Border Skin here.
STEP 4: Now you'll need to install Styler software and apply the styler skins present in "Styler toolbars" folder present in the pack. To learn how to use Styler, please visit following tutorial:
It'll provide Windows 8 look-like Ribbon UI in Windows XP Explorer. You can select any of 2 skins: Maximize the ribbon or Minimize the ribbon.
STEP 5: If you also want to enjoy Windows 8 cursors in Windows XP, you can get them in "Cursors" folder present in the pack. Just right-click on .inf file and it'll install the cursors in your system. Now you can apply the cursors using Mouse applet present in Control Panel.
STEP 6: Now you'll need to install SBar which provides Windows 7 and Windows 8 like Taskbar functionality in Windows XP and Vista. After installing SBar, apply the skin present in "Basic for SBar" folder of the kit.
STEP 7: Now it's time for installing Windows 8 boot screen. You'll need to install "Tuneup Utilities" to apply the boot screen. The boot screen can be found in "TuneUp Bootscreen" folder of the kit.
STEP 8: The "win8_consumer_preview_charmsbar..." folder present in the pack contains a skin for RocketDock utility which will provide Windows 8 look-like Charms Bar in Windows XP. Check out following tutorial for more details:
STEP 9: To have Windows 8 look-like new tiny start menu, you'll need to install ViStart. Once you install ViStart, apply its skin from "W8 Startmenu" folder.
STEP 10: If you want to change Windows XP version info to Windows 8, i.e. when you check Windows version by typing winver command in RUN dialog box or using any other method, Windows will show the version info as Windows 8 release Preview instead of Windows XP.
To change version info, you'll need to replace a system file "xpsp1res.dll" present in System32 folder with the new DLL file present in "Version info W8 RP" folder in the pack. You'll need to use Replacer for this task.
STEP 11: The kit also contains a few official Windows 8 wallpapers which can be applied using Desktop Properties.
STEP 12: There are many things which are same in Windows 7 and Windows 8 so you can also visit following tutorial to apply Windows 7 or Windows 8 icons, Progress dialog box, shutdown dialog box, System Properties, Aero Shake, Aero Snap, Aero Peek, Calculator, Paint, Context menu, Drive status bar, etc:
Also visit following tutorial to get some 3rd party software which also work in Windows XP and provide Windows 8 features like User tile in Taskbar, Windows 8 Start screen, etc:
Feel free to ask any kind of questions in your comment if you face any problem in following this tutorial...

Best Free Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Software for Windows



If you are a Windows user, you must install an antivirus and anti-spyware software in your system. We all install software, games, themes and many other stuff from various sources such as downloaded from Internet, from CD/DVD, USB drives, etc and if the downloaded file is infected, it can also install a virus or spyware in our system as a bonus.

That's why we need a good antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows OS. This software protects our system from suspicious items. It continuously monitors our system and warns us whenever it finds a malicious item in our system.
There are many antivirus and anti-spyware software available on Internet to download. Some of them are free and some of them are paid. Obviously paid security software provide more features and control over them in comparison with free software programs.
But there are a few free antivirus and anti-spyware programs which provide almost all features which a paid security software provides.
Today in this topic, we are going to list top 5 free antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows operating system for your convenience. We have tested many security programs in past and found following 5 programs best of them. If you are not using any antivirus or anti-spyware program in your system, you must install one of the following without wasting time:
1. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)
Microsoft Security Essentials (also known as MSE) is one of the best free antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows. Its an official security program released by Microsoft. Its available absolutely free to download but you'll need genuine Windows to install it.
It can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. Windows 8 already comes with MSE preinstalled. You can install it in both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
2. Avast! Free Antivirus
We put Avast! antivirus on 2nd position. It comes with antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall and many other security components. It can be installed in Windows 2000 professional SP4, Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Both 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported.
3. AVG Antivirus Free Edition
AVG antivirus is almost equivalent to avast! antivirus. It also comes with antivirus, anti-spyware, link scanner and many other security features. It can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
4. Avira Free Antivirus
Avira is also one of the widely used antivirus for Windows OS. It can protect your system from virus, spyware, malware, trojan, rootkits and many other forms of malicious programs. Avira antivirus can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows editions.
5. Panda Cloud Free Antivirus
And last but not least its turn of "Panda free antivirus" which is a very light-weight antivirus software for Windows. Its based on cloud computing concept which makes it one of the most light-weight antivirus programs available for Windows. You need a good speed Internet connection in your system to use it. It can be used in Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. As usual both 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported.
That's all for now. If you are using any other free antivirus or anti-spyware software in your system, feel free to share your feedback in your comment.

Best Free Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Software for Windows



If you are a Windows user, you must install an antivirus and anti-spyware software in your system. We all install software, games, themes and many other stuff from various sources such as downloaded from Internet, from CD/DVD, USB drives, etc and if the downloaded file is infected, it can also install a virus or spyware in our system as a bonus.

That's why we need a good antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows OS. This software protects our system from suspicious items. It continuously monitors our system and warns us whenever it finds a malicious item in our system.
There are many antivirus and anti-spyware software available on Internet to download. Some of them are free and some of them are paid. Obviously paid security software provide more features and control over them in comparison with free software programs.
But there are a few free antivirus and anti-spyware programs which provide almost all features which a paid security software provides.
Today in this topic, we are going to list top 5 free antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows operating system for your convenience. We have tested many security programs in past and found following 5 programs best of them. If you are not using any antivirus or anti-spyware program in your system, you must install one of the following without wasting time:
1. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)
Microsoft Security Essentials (also known as MSE) is one of the best free antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows. Its an official security program released by Microsoft. Its available absolutely free to download but you'll need genuine Windows to install it.
It can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. Windows 8 already comes with MSE preinstalled. You can install it in both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
2. Avast! Free Antivirus
We put Avast! antivirus on 2nd position. It comes with antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall and many other security components. It can be installed in Windows 2000 professional SP4, Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Both 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported.
3. AVG Antivirus Free Edition
AVG antivirus is almost equivalent to avast! antivirus. It also comes with antivirus, anti-spyware, link scanner and many other security features. It can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
4. Avira Free Antivirus
Avira is also one of the widely used antivirus for Windows OS. It can protect your system from virus, spyware, malware, trojan, rootkits and many other forms of malicious programs. Avira antivirus can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows editions.
5. Panda Cloud Free Antivirus
And last but not least its turn of "Panda free antivirus" which is a very light-weight antivirus software for Windows. Its based on cloud computing concept which makes it one of the most light-weight antivirus programs available for Windows. You need a good speed Internet connection in your system to use it. It can be used in Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. As usual both 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported.
That's all for now. If you are using any other free antivirus or anti-spyware software in your system, feel free to share your feedback in your comment.

Best Free Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Software for Windows



If you are a Windows user, you must install an antivirus and anti-spyware software in your system. We all install software, games, themes and many other stuff from various sources such as downloaded from Internet, from CD/DVD, USB drives, etc and if the downloaded file is infected, it can also install a virus or spyware in our system as a bonus.

That's why we need a good antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows OS. This software protects our system from suspicious items. It continuously monitors our system and warns us whenever it finds a malicious item in our system.
There are many antivirus and anti-spyware software available on Internet to download. Some of them are free and some of them are paid. Obviously paid security software provide more features and control over them in comparison with free software programs.
But there are a few free antivirus and anti-spyware programs which provide almost all features which a paid security software provides.
Today in this topic, we are going to list top 5 free antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows operating system for your convenience. We have tested many security programs in past and found following 5 programs best of them. If you are not using any antivirus or anti-spyware program in your system, you must install one of the following without wasting time:
1. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)
Microsoft Security Essentials (also known as MSE) is one of the best free antivirus and anti-spyware software for Windows. Its an official security program released by Microsoft. Its available absolutely free to download but you'll need genuine Windows to install it.
It can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. Windows 8 already comes with MSE preinstalled. You can install it in both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
2. Avast! Free Antivirus
We put Avast! antivirus on 2nd position. It comes with antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall and many other security components. It can be installed in Windows 2000 professional SP4, Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Both 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported.
3. AVG Antivirus Free Edition
AVG antivirus is almost equivalent to avast! antivirus. It also comes with antivirus, anti-spyware, link scanner and many other security features. It can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
4. Avira Free Antivirus
Avira is also one of the widely used antivirus for Windows OS. It can protect your system from virus, spyware, malware, trojan, rootkits and many other forms of malicious programs. Avira antivirus can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows editions.
5. Panda Cloud Free Antivirus
And last but not least its turn of "Panda free antivirus" which is a very light-weight antivirus software for Windows. Its based on cloud computing concept which makes it one of the most light-weight antivirus programs available for Windows. You need a good speed Internet connection in your system to use it. It can be used in Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. As usual both 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported.
That's all for now. If you are using any other free antivirus or anti-spyware software in your system, feel free to share your feedback in your comment.

NeoSmart announces Windows Recovery Essentials


Important news is coming from NeoSmart Technologies, the company praised for the award-winning boot manager software EasyBCD: the developer will soon release a new system recovery CD for Windows operating systems, rewritten from the ground up due to licensing issues with the official Microsoft products.

Like many companies selling recovery CDs for Windows, NeoSmart was thus far licensing the Windows Pre Installation Environment (WinPE) directly from Microsoft to develop and release its own bootable recovery environments.

But starting from January 2012, NeoSmart reveals, Microsoft stopped renewing the pre-existing licensing agreements with third parties, forcing its partners to search for an alternative solution to develop future bootable CDs without using Redmond’s own WinPE.


NeoSmart says it is now working on its “next generation” repair CDs, a product that is “not just a replacement for the current WinPE-based repair CDs, but rather a whole new software written from the ground up with the express intent of fixing whatever it may be that stops your PC from booting”.

The upcoming (and currently in private beta) Windows Recovery Essentials (or WinRE for short) will be able to repair and fix “common and uncommon problems” preventing the system to boot or work properly, NeoSmart promises, “including those that the Windows installation DVD can’t or won’t fix”.

NeoSmart announces Windows Recovery Essentials


Important news is coming from NeoSmart Technologies, the company praised for the award-winning boot manager software EasyBCD: the developer will soon release a new system recovery CD for Windows operating systems, rewritten from the ground up due to licensing issues with the official Microsoft products.

Like many companies selling recovery CDs for Windows, NeoSmart was thus far licensing the Windows Pre Installation Environment (WinPE) directly from Microsoft to develop and release its own bootable recovery environments.

But starting from January 2012, NeoSmart reveals, Microsoft stopped renewing the pre-existing licensing agreements with third parties, forcing its partners to search for an alternative solution to develop future bootable CDs without using Redmond’s own WinPE.


NeoSmart says it is now working on its “next generation” repair CDs, a product that is “not just a replacement for the current WinPE-based repair CDs, but rather a whole new software written from the ground up with the express intent of fixing whatever it may be that stops your PC from booting”.

The upcoming (and currently in private beta) Windows Recovery Essentials (or WinRE for short) will be able to repair and fix “common and uncommon problems” preventing the system to boot or work properly, NeoSmart promises, “including those that the Windows installation DVD can’t or won’t fix”.