epic

What is the default default icon for Windows 8? Somehow the default icon was changed while changing other system icons without changing the default icon.

Have you tried Process Lasso?

Who needs valid credentials when there is a simple linux tool to reset Windows credentials. USB+Brain. Yeah, I noticed those offsite posts as well, but not many people have reported it, and was quite surprised no information was on msfn.

It seems that KB2930275 is causing a Critical_Process_Died in Windows 8.1 Professional, as well Server(?). In my case I'm operating Windows 8.1 Professional W/MC. The update initially installed as a "Install WUpdates automatically," cycled the system this evening and come to find out that I was in an endless loop of Critical_Process_Died. Safe mode wasn't an option either, the error displayed there as well. A freakin nightmare, everything was running fine prior to the update, messing around for a good 1.5 hrs trying to solve it. Finally caved after 1.5 hrs and restored a TIB image, without the update. Yet, everything worked like a charm, up until the point I installed the updates again. Having to experience the same problems, troubleshooting did not work, could not enter safe mode either - same problem! Even tried sfc /scannow in advanced startup, after Windows failed to repair the system, but the command wouldn't work as there was some mysterious reboot needing to take place, failed every time. I even tore apart the computer, having been led it's a GPU driver issue, which I know for a fact it is not. Took everything apart anyway and reset all the hardware and cables, but the error persisted. Restored the previous TIB image, back up and running with no problems, WITHOUT KB2930275. Disabled WUpdates completely, for now. Anyone else experience this problem, or opted to not install it? http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms14-015

Noticed another bug, not sure if you picked up on it. Just noticed some application icons within the start menu appended with (2), (3), etc.. if I attempt to delete the field "(*)" startisback+ states that there already is a program by that name in the start menu. it's not visible... When unpinning the program from the start menu and repinning it, the program is renamed to (2), (3), etc.. again.

The IP's, as I stated before (perhaps I wasn't very clear), are both adsense. I NEVER said the dll was calling home, I clearly stated IF, but still, I stated the "program" (IE: THE EXECUTABLE, AKA: an .EXE derpdederp) IS .. obviously you did not check it out. If you bothered to open up the executable within reflector you'd see the ip's in there as well as facebook, twitter, and some other bul*****.

I think you need a special license to be allowed to post oximorons on MSFN : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxymoron jaclaz Well, you know as much as I do that there is no politicians that fit the bill. Unfortuneately intelligent people don't become politicians.

I may upload it there, but Virus Total isn't going to show anything more than what NOD32 or other Virus scanners pick up, nothing. It's too easy for a experienced programmer to bypass known scanning methods. The point is to decompile it and locate these IP's, if they're attached to this dll. I'm looking to decompile the application to remove the ad and ip address' calling home. It's annoying and also severly lags the system.

It's exactly what they ought to do. Instead of adding useless bloatware as its counter parts.

Because "bitcoin" will NEVER be a real currency. It has no market, despite some of the retard kids on wall street. Bitcoin is no different than PLAY monopoly money, you get a couple dozen kids who think it's real money and they exchange it between themselves, then their friends get involved, but INTELLIGENT people know it has no face value, period. Bitcoin will fall off the market, else banned by an intelligent politician.

Why in the world would I upload mine when I provided the link to the application distributing the dll

Actually it didn't. You just missed the intentionally difficult to see prompts that would have led you to be able to set it up with a local account. It's one of the most devious things Microsoft has done, and very telling about how they view their users. I'm surprised the Justice Department hasn't taken more notice of this predatory practice. I'm not surprised at all.

Ramdrive

You mean like in Communist Russia? http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/155290-windows-8-deeper-impressions/page-151#entry1047135 I'm sure he means the United Dumbasses. They asked for the "monitoring" of activities after 9/11 but now they're crying about how "unconstitutional" it is.

I like Office 2012/2013, but it sure does install tons of bloatware, even when you tell it NOT to install particular (Skydrive Pro, Sharepoint services, etc..) items and it ends up installing peices of it anyway.

Would anyone mind decompiling the dll included in Gamma Control? It's supposedly 'safe,' but I'm having my doubts. You can get it from the package from http://www.desktopnerds.com/product-gammacontrol?id=download The program calling home and causing system hangs. Blocked via firewall 43.30.212.136 74.125.225.46 23.79.108.98

So, I've been using Windows 8 since it was released and haven't had any issues like this occur, I've been using Start8 and Modernmix with no trouble. I did a fresh installation of Windows 8.1 and have been noticing some issues with WIndows apps appearing at will. The only modifications I am using are Start8, StartIsBack+ (recently reinstalled it) and ModernMix. I've uninstalled Start8 thinking that it was the problem, also the same with StartIsBack+, but neither have shown to be the problem, unless I'm missing a setting someplace. Also, Windows "STORE" will randomly popup without warning, either while using the computer or during startup. Becoming very annoying. I use Modernmix to minimize the screens from the intrusive "fullscreen" microshit version. If I open PC Settings to make some changes the window will popup as exected, within a window, but if I'm in the application too long it will also popup in the upper left hand corner... I'm not too sure if this is a Modernmix issue as it was working fine in my previous installation Windows 8, but then again this 8.1.

Running this on dual monitors. This is my setup: Primary monitor - Plain taskbar, no start menu, just pinned apps and active apps. Placement on the left (verticle) side. Secondary monitor - Start menu , identical pinned apps and acitive apps. Placement TOP (horizontal) of screen. What i have noticed is if I click on the left upper corner, or within the area of the taskbar, the Windows Start menu will display, but there is no Start menu button visble. This shouldn't occur. I have the Start Menu on the secondary display on the top taskbar. I've also noticed that there is a large gap, normally where the Start Menu would display, between the top of the taskbar to the next icon. If you click on one of the apps or the taskbar everything moves up and displays as it ought to. PS. It would be nice to add the ability to open the Start Screen in a minimized "windowed" view rather it go to the fullscreen view.

Great find.

Well, lets just say that DISM command was a joke. Really wish it was an available feature to enable / disable, where micros*** OUGHT to have developed it that way. Yeah, been using StartIsBack for a while; though, use to use Start8 (Stardock junk), but I really prefer to totally rid WIndows 8 of metro, It's useless, well the weather widget is nice, but anything else (ie: store) is all JUNK! Bummer, hopefully someone will be inspired enough to find a way to totally remove metro.

DON'T ever run any "cleaner" applications. You don't need them! I have run Windows for years without "cleaning my registry", and they were just as fast the day they were upgraded as when they were first installed. If you want to keep your system maintained, occasionally have a look for extra temporary files having accumulated in your TEMP folder, and rid your system of them. That's trivial to do - it doesn't require a cleaner application! Those are almost exclusively snake oil. You wouldn't let a stranger come into your house and just delete whatever he wants from your computer and registry would you? And also get the freeware tool Autoruns and watch all the extra junkware that various applications install. Much of it is unneeded. But only YOU can decide that, not some pre-packaged application.-Noel Agree with everything you've said, but the last bit. Should use Cleaners along with regular maintenance (ie: ccleaner), to remove temp files, mri, and many others. I'd only recommend reg cleaners for people that are technically savvy; though, usually, well known ones (ie: ccleaner) actually do a good job removing broken keys after a program uninstall. WIndows does NOT remove everything when you uninstall a program.

Is it possible to strip Metro from Windows 8/8.1? We have the ability to strip Vista/W7 basically to bare essentials, yet still have a fully functioning system, with nlite/vlite. So, I'd like to customize my OS again, and remove more useless junk, bloatware, Microsoft included in W8/8.1 Follwoing command doesn't work DISM.exe /Online /Disable-Feature /Featurename:METRO /RemoveOffnote: Seems Ubunuto is going that route too with Unity crap.

For those interested in EnableLUA you can find a great explaination here: If you do not care about, nor use, Windows apps or store. EnableLUA resolves the problem of having to run some applications and access some directories, which require elevation. **I would LOVE to see a stripped version of Windows 8 WITHOUT (no metro) these ridiculous Windows "store" and "apps" totally useless applications. Especially within a business, corporate, enviroment. source: http://www.eightforums.com/user-accounts-family-safety/9872-uac-metro-apps.html#post121852 The way Microsoft implemented UAC is hogwash. They ought to integrate a prompt requesting the user to enter a password, as linux does (very inobtrusive), when trying to run or access a directory. Having to right click and then select "run as administrator," or setting the properties of the executable to run as administrator, on applications and directories is ridiculous and a waste of time. Even if you do set some applications to run as administrator they still do not have the proper elevation and break, and the only solution is to DISABLE EnableLUA completely. Some useful links: http://www.eightforums.com/system-security/5160-tutorial-how-make-windows-8-understand-you-administrator.html http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/0aeac9d8-3591-4294-b13e-825705b27730/how-to-disable-uac?forum=winserversecurity http://stackoverflow.com/questions/11277065/check-uac-status http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9572248/how-do-i-disable-uac-using-windows-powershell

Not so much a "performance," tweak, but have you tried reducing your SXS folder? Here's an easy guide (http://www.howtogeek.com/174705/how-to-reduce-the-size-of-your-winsxs-folder-on-windows-7-or-8/), without me having to get into detail about it. Saved me 6GB of space; though, this ought to be AUTOMATIC during installation of Windows and part of Windows maintenance and yet it is not.

The link you provided is not relavent to this issue, that link is a specific college directory access. Besides, I've never had to change security perms for /etc, its always been system. Sure it does. The owner of the etc folder (by your example) is TrustedInstaller. Did you try to take ownership of that folder (and child objects) and see if your problem is resolved? Incorrect. Never had to change permissions on the /etc (or other) folder, in this example, and IS completely irrelevent to what I had asked. Did you do that by setting EnableLUA to 0 in the registry? If not, it's not completely disabled. -Noel THANK YOU! This is exactly what I was looking for.