How To: Remove Windows 7 Watermark

If you’re like me, living on the bleeding edge with Windows 7 RC, you might have noticed the watermark in the right-hand corner of your desktop. Such things annoy me a bit, so I went to work (Googled) how to remove it, and found a great solution.

To remove your watermark(s), download this nifty little watermark removal application, right-click the appropriate file for your system (32-bit or 64-bit) and run it as an administrator. Follow the on-screen instructions and you’re set!

This removes watermarks for all Windows versions and all languages by searching for some standard watermarking strings and modifying the user32.dll.mui file instead of replacing it with a pre-patched file like others do.

Ignore any weird question marks that might be displayed in the CMD window – it still works perfectly.

windows-7-beta-1-watermark-on-desktop

This is a watermark. Watermarks are baaad!

Office 2010 The Movie

Office 2010 The Movie Header

Microsoft attempts something different with their new marketing hype of the upcoming Office release 14, also known as Office 2010.

Launching www.office2010themovie.com, we’ re treated to some semi-witty movie trailer-esque videos. While showing us that Microsoft likes to be witty and creative with their marketing, they don’t really reveal much in detail about the new Office 2010 release (at the time of writing). So to make up for Microsoft’s shortcomings, I have included a video that shows some actual footage from the Office 2010  Technical Preview, courtesy of YouTube user lukychan.

You can actually sign up for the chance to try out the Office 2010 Technical Preview for yourself in July if you put yourself on Microsoft’s waitlist.

One important thing we do know is that it will be released in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions. We also know that Microsoft is focusing on options for adapting the Office suite to suit the needs of different types of users. It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the final product.

Still, it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re still trying to recover from their dreadfully awkward Songsmith commercial. (Click “Read the rest…” below the Office 2010 videos following to see it. It’s not for the faint of heart, so consider yourself warned.)

Office 2010 The Movie Teaser Trailer:


Office 2010 Technical Preview:

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How To: Disable Thumbnail Preview In Windows 7

On my Media Center PC, after reinstalling some video codecs, my MKV* video files made Windows Explorer crash regularly when opening a folder with one of these files in it. To solve this problem, I had to disable automatic thumbnail generation in Vista or Windows 7. Disabling thumbnail preview in Windows Explorer can make Vista/Windows 7 perform notably faster in any case, as Explorer will no longer be generating thumbnails for every video and image file in every folder you open. This is especially useful when browsing back and forth between multiple folders. Follow these steps to disable the automatic thumbnail generation:

  1. Press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard, then press E to open Windows Explorer (alternatively click Start > Accessories > Windows Explorer).
  2. In the Windows Explorer window, click on the Organize button on the menu/shortcut bar.
  3. In the pull down menu, click on Folder and Search Options.
  4. The Folder Options dialog window will appear. Click on the View tab.
  5. Under the Files and Folders tree heading, check (tick) the box next to Always show icons, never thumbnails option.
  6. Click the OK button and you’re good to go!

* MKV is a common container format for video, audio and subtitles, often used to distribute standard and high definition video, audio and associated subtitles in one single file, with support for multiple audio and subtitle tracks, just like on a DVD.

Edit: Some codec packs by default turns off MKV thumbnails, but also makes it possible to easily control this and MANY other settings through an easy to use Windows application interface.

Expand Your Windows Vista Media Center Options

By installing the Media Control Plugin for Vista Media Center by Damien Bain-Thouverez, you can finally play back video files with subtitles, especially files using the Matroska container format (MKV). Multiple subtitles support, multiple audio streams support, FFDShow settings tweaking, and much much more is enabled.

The plugin can even hook on to the remote control driver and enable access to customizeable special functions and shortcuts when using a Media Center compatible remote control. There’s even a newly added feature that enables Windows Live Messenger integration. I haven’t tested this one myself yet, though.

If this is just what you’ve been looking for, then head on over to the homepage and download it now! Be sure to read the requirements section carefully before you install it.

Thank you Damien for this great plugin! Please show your support by donating to him if you find it useful.

How To: Enable Automatic Logon in Windows 7

To be able to access administrative shares and shut it down remotely, I added another user to my media center computer (HTPC) matching my usual username and password. Upon next boot, I discovered that instead of being logged on automatically, I was now presented with a logon screen, where I had to choose between the default (passwordless) user and my newly created “remote control” account.

“There’s got to be a way to get the automatic logon back”, I thought. Of course there is! Following is the simple solution to configure automatic logon in Windows 7 or Vista. (Please bare with me, and pretend that the Norwegian screenshots are in English for now.)

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