How to disable the "Test mode" message that is displayed in Windows 8

How to disable the "Test mode" message that is displayed in Windows

Cause

When you start your Windows 8-based or Windows 7-based computer, you receive the following message in the lower-right corner of the desktop, depending on your version of Windows. This message is displayed because your computer is running in test mode.

Windows 8 - Test mode Windows 8 build 9200

Windows 7 - Test mode Windows 7 build 7600

Note This message may also mention a more specific edition of Windows. For example, the message may be, “Test mode Windows 8 Pro build 9200.”

Solution

Windows 8

1.       Type cmd on the Start screen. Right-click on Command Prompt in the search results. Select Run as administrator on the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen.

Note If you are prompted by a User Account Control window, tap or click Yes.

2.       In the Command Prompt window, type the following command, and then press Enter:

bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF

3.       After you see the confirmation, close the Command Prompt window then restart the computer.

Windows 7

Method 1

1.       Click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.

2.       Under Programs, right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator.

3.      At the command prompt, type the following text, and then press Enter:

bcdedit /set TESTSIGNING OFF

4.       Close the Command Prompt window, and then restart your computer.

Note If this method does not resolve the issue, go to Method 2.

Method 2

1.       Click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.

2.       Under Programs, right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator.

3.       At the command prompt, type the following commands, and press Enter after each command:

bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKSbcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF

4.       Close the Command Prompt window, and then restart your computer.

Method 3 (Fix it for me (Windows 7 only)

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix it button or link. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

Note : For more details please visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2509241

How to Set a Startup Password to Lock or Unlock Windows

keep your computer more secure and protected from theft by using SysKey - Set Startup Password to Lock or Unlock Windows

Information - SysKey (SAM Lock Tool) is an in-built Windows utility that can help you secure the Security AccountsManagement or SAM database. This tutorial will show you how to use SysKey to require a password to be entered by users during system startup in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

 Note

• A startup password is only entered at system startup at boot.
• A startup password is not the same as a user account's password entered in the log on screen.
• After entering the startup password, Windows will then startup to allow a user to login.

Warning - Doing a system restore using a restore point dated before SysKey was set will undo it.

EXAMPLE: Windows Startup 
NOTE: This is an example of what you will see at Windows startup if you set a startup password. Windows will not startup until you have entered the startup password.

Here's How:

1. Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog, type syskey, and click/tap on OK.
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).
3. Click/tap on Update. (see screenshot below)

4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.
5. To Set a Startup Password

Select (dot) the Password Startup option, enter a password you want twice, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below) 

 

 Warning - It is recommended that you write down this startup password and keep it somewhere safe. Windows will now require users to enter the startup password at every system startup before Windows will start and users allowed to login to their user accounts. Windows will not startup without it being entered.

6. To Remove Startup Password

Select (dot) System Generated Password, select (dot) the Store Startup Key Locally option, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Enter the startup password from step 5A above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Windows will now no longer require users to enter the startup password at every system startup.

Note: This article got from sevenforums website, which was posted by Shawn.

How to combine multiple PDFs into one document

Joining multiple PDFs into one document is easy if you have Acrobat--but if you'd rather save the money, there's a free program for Windows that does the trick.

1. Install PDFBinder here. (Download PDFBinder from - https://code.google.com/p/pdfbinder/downloads/list)

2. Launch PDF Binder. 

3. Drag and drop PDF files into PDFBinder or click Add file& to select PDFs to join. 
4. Select a PDF file and click the up and down arrows to position it correctly. 

5. When they're in the right order, click Bind! to begin the joining process. You will need to select a name for the final PDF. 

Tech Support Scams

In a recent twist, scam artists are using the phone to try to break into your computer. They call, claiming to be computer techs associated with well-known companies like Microsoft. They say that they’ve detected viruses or other malware on your computer to trick you into giving them remote access or paying for software you don’t need.

These scammers take advantage of your reasonable concerns about viruses and other threats. They know that computer users have heard time and again that it’s important to install security software. But the purpose behind their elaborate scheme isn’t to protect your computer; it’s to make money.

How Tech Support Scams Work

Scammers have been peddling bogus security software for years. They set up fake websites, offer free “security” scans, and send alarming messages to try to convince you that your computer is infected. Then, they try to sell you software to fix the problem. At best, the software is worthless or available elsewhere for free. At worst, it could be malware — software designed to give criminals access to your computer and your personal information.The latest version of the scam begins with a phone call. Scammers can get your name and other basic information from public directories. They might even guess what computer software you’re using.

Once they have you on the phone, they often try to gain your trust by pretending to be associated with well-known companies or confusing you with a barrage of technical terms. They may ask you to go to your computer and perform a series of complex tasks. Sometimes, they target legitimate computer files and claim that they are viruses. Their tactics are designed to scare you into believing they can help fix your “problem.”

Once they’ve gained your trust, they may:

·         ask you to give them remote access to your computer and then make changes to your settings that could leave your computer vulnerable
·         try to enroll you in a worthless computer maintenance or warranty program
·         ask for credit card information so they can bill you for phony services — or services you could get elsewhere for free
·         trick you into installing malware that could steal sensitive data, like user names and passwords
·         direct you to websites and ask you to enter your credit card number and other personal information

Regardless of the tactics they use, they have one purpose: to make money.

If You Get a Call

If you get a call from someone who claims to be a tech support person, hang up and call the company yourself on a phone number you know to be genuine. A caller who creates a sense of urgency or uses high-pressure tactics is probably a scam artist.

Keep these other tips in mind:

·         Don’t give control of your computer to a third party who calls you out of the blue.

·         Do not rely on caller ID alone to authenticate a caller. Criminals spoof caller ID numbers. They may appear to be calling from a legitimate company or a local number, when they’re not even in the same country as you.

·         Online search results might not be the best way to find technical support or get a company’s contact information. Scammers sometimes place online ads to convince you to call them. They pay to boost their ranking in search results so their websites and phone numbers appear above those of legitimate companies. If you want tech support, look for a company’s contact information on their software package or on your receipt.

·         Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone who calls and claims to be from tech support.

·         If a caller pressures you to buy a computer security product or says there is a subscription fee associated with the call, hang up. If you’re concerned about your computer, call your security software company directly and ask for help.

·         Never give your password on the phone. No legitimate organization calls you and asks for your password.

·         Put your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry, and then report illegal sales calls.

If You’ve Responded to a Scam

If you think you might have downloaded malware from a scam site or allowed a cybercriminal to access your computer, don’t panic. Instead:

·         Get rid of malware. Update or download legitimate security software and scan your computer. Delete anything it identifies as a problem. 

·         Change any passwords that you gave out. If you use these passwords for other accounts, change those accounts, too.

·         If you paid for bogus services with a credit card, call your credit card provider and ask to reverse the charges. Check your statements for any other charges you didn’t make, and ask to reverse those, too.

·         If you believe that someone may have accessed your personal or financial information, visit the FTC’sidentity theft website. You can minimize your risk of further damage and repair any problems already in place.

·         File a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.