ServiceCommander: Manage & Monitor Windows Services On Networked PCs

ServiceCommander: Manage & Monitor Windows Services On Networked PCs:

Some days ago, we covered Windows Service Monitor, an open source utility that lets you monitor, start and stop user-specified services directly from the system tray without having to open the Windows Task Manager or Service Control Manager. Today, we have another tool, ServiceCommander, that allows you to Start, Stop, Pause, Resume or Restart selected services on any computer on your network from the system tray. What sets ServiceCommander apart from the formerly-reviewed tool, is its ability to control and manipulate services on networked PCs, a highly useful feature for many system/network administrators. The program lets you easily add services to the monitoring list, and displays the control functions of each service in the system tray. It also enables you to start, stop or restart all added services at once, as well as direct access to the default Windows applications of Service, Event Viewer and Task Manager.

The application has Services and Options tab at the top, service list appears in the middle, while buttons to Add, Remove, Move Up, Move Down and Remove All appear on the right side. To add services in ServiceCommander, click Add button to access the Add Services window.

In the Add Services window, first choose the computer from which you choose to add services. Then, select the services you would like to add and click OK.

The Options tab lets you configure ServiceCommander startup behavior, Actions available in the Menu (Start, Stop, Restart, Pause, Resume) and Menu Entries (Configure, All Services, Tools).

In the system tray icon, the running services will be denoted by a green dot before their name. The services can be controlled by right-clicking the application’s icon, selecting the application and choosing the desired action.

Whenever a services is started, stopped, paused, resumed or restarted, a system tray notification popup informs the user regarding the success or failure of the desired action.

ServiceCommander lets you access the Service Control Manager, Event Viewer and Windows Task Manager directly from the application.

ServiceCommander works on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Download ServiceCommander

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WinUSB Maker Lets You Create Bootable USB From Folders & ISO Images

WinUSB Maker Lets You Create Bootable USB From Folders & ISO Images:

We have covered a lot of ISO manipulation tools, one of them being the Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool that creates a bootable DVD or USB device of Windows 8 by defining the ISO image. Another tool, WinSetupFromUSB, allows you to create a multi-boot setup from a folder containing the setup files. WinUSB Maker is yet another portable application that combines both of these applications into one. It can create and burn bootable ISO images to a USB drive, either by defining the setup folder or an ISO image. It supports devices up to one terabyte, including external hard disk drives.

The interface is very simple, with Setup Folder on the left and ISO Image radio button on the right side. The buttons to Browse, Refresh and select the USB drive to be made bootable are located in the center. Make it Bootable option is present in the lower right corner of the interface.

To create a bootable USB, select Setup Folder if the setup files are located inside a folder, or select ISO Image if the setup is in ISO format. Click Browse Setup Folder or Browse ISO Image to select the required files. If multiple USB drives are inserted in your PC, select the one that you want to make bootable from the drop down menu. If any drive is not available in the list, hit Refresh once. With all settings completed, click Make it Bootable to start the file copying process.

When the process is complete, a success message will pop up, and your bootable USB will be ready to be used.

WinUSB Maker can create bootable images for Windows Server 2008/2011 Family, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Download WinUSB Maker

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How to Protect Your Boot Drive with BitLocker

How to Protect Your Boot Drive with BitLocker:

When it comes to protecting the data on your computer, you can’t do better than strong encryption. Properly encrypted, your files are safe even if a ne’er-do-well gains access to your computer, either physically or through a network. In the past, we’ve discussed how to use various encryption tools to encrypt individual files or create virtual, encrypted drives. Now, we’ll look at how to get maximum security by encrypting your boot disk using the BitLocker full-drive encryption system that’s built into Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise.

Step 1: Assess Your System

Ideally, you have a motherboard with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip. A TPM chip securely stores cryptographic keys, which BitLocker uses to access your boot drive before Windows even loads. The TPM also detects any early boot files that have been modified, protecting you from rootkits and other low-level malware. You can check with your motherboard manufacturer to see if you have a TPM, or you can just attempt to go straight to Step 3. If you don’t see a message that looks like the image below, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you don’t have a TPM and you’ll need to continue to Step 2.

You'll also need an additional, small partition on any boot drive you wish to encrypt in order to use BitLocker. Windows creates this extra partition by default during installation, but even if you don’t have one, the BitLocker software can create it for you.

Step 2: Enable USB Key Storage

By default, BitLocker requires a TPM chip to work. To change this, open the group policy editor by bringing up the Run menu (press Win + R) and then typing gpedit.msc.

Navigate through the hierarchy on the left side of the group policy editor, selecting the following folders, in order: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives (image below). Once you’ve found the right folder, double-click “Require additional authentication at startup” to edit that policy entry.

In the policy editor, all you need to do is click the radio button marked Enabled. In the bottom‑left, a checkbox labeled “Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM” should already be checked. If it isn’t, check it. Click OK and exit the group policy editor.

Step 3: Enable BitLocker

The actual process of enabling BitLocker is straightforward: You can right-click a drive in Explorer and click Turn On BitLocker, or you can go to the BitLocker section of the control panel and enable it on any drive from there.

As long as you’ve followed the previous two steps, you should see a screen asking you for your BitLocker startup preferences. If you have a TPM, you have three options. If you select “Use BitLocker without additional keys” your startup process will be basically unchanged. Someone with access to your computer will be able to get at your data, but you’ll be protected from rootkits and from people accessing your data remotely. Alternatively, you can choose to enter a PIN every time you log in.

If you’re using the USB method, you only have access to the last option, “Require a Startup key at every startup.” With this method, you’ll only be able to boot your computer while you have a USB drive with a startup key inserted in the machine.

Once you select an option, you’ll be asked to insert a USB drive to use as the key, and you’ll choose where to store your recovery key, which you'll need if you want to decrypt your data on a different computer, or if the TPM detects a problem. It will take some time for BitLocker to encrypt your drive, but once it’s finished, your data is safe. Anyone attempting to boot from your drive without the proper key won’t even get to the Windows boot screen (image above).

Run Android Apps & Games On Windows With BlueStacks

Run Android Apps & Games On Windows With BlueStacks:

Do you want to play Android games but don’t have an Android phone? BlueStacks is an Android app player for Windows that can run any type of Android app in full screen mode without encountering any performance or compatibility related issues. It features 10 pre-loaded apps along with an option to add custom apps. You can either download new apps from the BlueStacks Channel or push your favorite apps from your Android phone to your PC via BlueStacks Cloud Connect.

After installation, you will find a gadget on the top-right corner of your screen. Clicking the gadget will extend an App Tray.

When you run an app, the application will automatically go into full screen mode.

At the bottom, you have Menu, Rotate, Zoom and All Apps buttons in the center with app navigation and close buttons at either side. The Zoom button switches between full-screen and standard view modes. Clicking the All Apps button will show the BlueStacks gadget with the App Tray.

You can download additional Android apps from BlueStacks Channels. Click Get More Apps in the widget app tray. Upon the first visit, you need to login with your Facebook account. Once logged in, you can choose and install an app by clicking the Subscribe button under it.

A great feature of this application is that you can push the apps from your Android device to your PC by using the BlueStacks Cloud Connect option. To use BlueStacks Cloud Connect, you must first install the BlueStacks Cloud Connect app on your phone from the Android Market.

Once done, open the Cloud Connect page on your PC’s browser to receive a Phone PIN. Open the app on your phone, enter the PIN and tap OK. You should now be able to see a list of all your apps inside BlueStacks Cloud Connect. Check the app that you want to push to your PC and tap Sync.

You might have to wait for some time for the apps to sync with your PC. When the syncing process is completed, you can run all your Android device’s apps on your PC.

There was a lot of hype surrounding BlueStacks when it was first announced and truth be told, even though it is in alpha stage as of now, the application far exceeds expectations. It runs Android apps with little or no lag at all and provides its own medium for transfer of apps from device to PC. It does have its limitations, though. For instance, you cannot use apps or play games that are dependent on multi-touch – an issue that might be resolved in future updates.

Only the free version of BlueStacks is available at the moment and it has a maximum limit of 26 downloadable apps (excluding the 10 pre-loaded apps). The application works on Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Download BlueStacks

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Turn PC Into Virtual WiFi Hotspot With WiFi HotSpot Creator

Turn PC Into Virtual WiFi Hotspot With WiFi HotSpot Creator:

WiFi HotSpot Creator is a handy tool to create a WiFi hotspot and share your internet connection, so WiFi enabled devices like laptops, smart phones, and tablets, can connect to internet via PC. It auto-enables the ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) option of your current connection to seamlessly turn your PC into a WiFi hotspot; you don’t have to go through the tiresome process of opening Network & Sharing Center. Just launch the tool, enter the connection name and passphrase to create your WiFi hotspot. Moreover, it creates WPA/WPA2 PSK based secured connection, allowing you to connect those WiFi enabled devices which cannot connect with wireless ad-hoc network.

To share your internet connection, first enter the name of WiFi hotspot and then enter a minimum 8-digit password in the Passphrase field. Now from NIC drop down menu, select the internet connection which you want to share.

Once done, click Start to create your WiFi hotspot.

During testing, we did not find any issues. However, it attempts to install a toolbar in your browser without asking for permission. It must be noted that if the application is not working on your PC, you might have to upgrade your network adapter, as older adapters do not support creating virtual WiFi hotspot.

Download WiFi HotSpot Creator (Softpedia link provided since the application is not listed on product page)

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Chrome Remote Desktop: Remotely Control Computers Through Chrome

Chrome Remote Desktop: Remotely Control Computers Through Chrome:

You must have come across multiple applications and web services that allow you to remotely see and control another system. These applications and services are useful particularly when you want to remotely troubleshoot someone’s system. Chrome Remote Desktop BETA is a Chrome application just released by Google that will allow you remotely access a computer using your Chrome browser and Google App or Gmail ID. Implicitly meant for Chrome notebooks, it works on any system with Chrome installed; Mac, Windows, Linux etc.

The app allows you to remotely access or share you system with anyone using Chrome. Both systems must have this app installed in their Chrome browser for a successful connection. Since the app allows you to either share or access systems it requires extraordinary permissions. Once installed, launch it like you would any other app, sign in to your Google App or Gmail ID if you aren’t already signed in. You do not need to have sync set up on either browsers. Launch the app, sign in and click Continue to proceed to the permissions page.

The application will have access to all files on your system, your browsing history and all data you exchange with any website, additionally, it also requires access to information in your Google account to create the connection.

Once you’ve granted the app permission (on both systems) you will be given the option to either access a shared computer or to share your own computer. To share your own computer, click the Share This Computer button and the application will generate an access code. To access a shared computer, click the access a shared computer link below the button.

The user accessing your system will have to click the access a shared computer link and enter the access code generated for you in the provided field. Your code will look like the following, the code expires after a short period of time if it is not used.

On the other side, the following screen will be displayed; enter the code (spaces are not necessary) and click connect (you will see this screen if you choose to access someone’s shared computer).

The connection takes a short while to establish. Once connected, the system that is remotely being accessed will receive a notification that a connection has successfully been created. The notification window remains on top of all other windows and clicking the Stop Sharing button in Chrome or the Disconnect button in the notification will end the connection.

Once the connection is established, you will be able to see and control the other system from within the Chrome application. With the application, sharing desktops and accessing systems is synonymous; access is granted when the connection is established and there are no separate permissions for it.

You can view the shared system in two different sizes (inside Chrome), mouse over the dropdown arrow that appears in the center of the shared screen and click the full screen button in the panel to increase it to maximum screen size. You can end the connection from this panel at anytime.

All actions performed on the other system are implemented immediately but are reflected on your end after a short lag period. To end your connection either click the Disconnect button in the notification, or, if you are accessing a system, click the button in the notification you can see on the shared screen and the connection will be terminated.

Signing in to Gmail, signing in to sync and signing in to this application are all different things. You may not be signed in to Gmail or sync, but if you signed in to the application, make sure you log out. To logout, launch the application again and click Logout next to your email ID.

Install Chrome Remote Desktop BETA Application For Chrome

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REM-I-CON: Remotely Control Multiple Chrome Browsers Across Systems

REM-I-CON: Remotely Control Multiple Chrome Browsers Across Systems:

Cross browser sync is a feature available in both Chrome and Firefox that allows you to sync your extensions, bookmarks and passwords on different systems. For those of you who have used it, you know that it is a great way to ensure all your important links are always available no matter what system you’re using. REM-I-CON is a Chrome extension that works in conjunction with its web service Secure Bucket and lets you remotely control multiple Chrome browsers from a single system. Using the browser extension, the service sends and implements commands to which ever browser you send it to. The commands that can be executed remotely are; closing all tabs and opening a new tab, deleting cookies, history, bookmarks and uninstalling extensions and apps.

The extension has been developed by Secure Bucket and it uses this service to send and receive commands. Start off by installing the extension and creating an account. When you create an account, you also add your first browser. To add additional browser, install the extension on each one and sign in to the service. The nickname you enter when you sign in or sign up becomes the name for that browser (for distinguishing which is which when you send commands) and can be edited later.

Note that the service cannot be used without installing the extension, it serves as a bridge between your two browsers. Once you’ve added different browsers (across different systems or on the same one), visit your dashboard. You can access your dashboard by clicking the link on the page that appears after you sign in or by clicking Manage Accounts in the extension pop-up. The extension adds a small lock like icon next to the URL bar, the icon changes as per the actions being performed by the extension.

Once you’ve added all the browsers you want to control, visit your dashboard to send a command to either one. Your dashboard will look something like the one in the screenshot below; click Options in front of one of the browsers to send a command to it.

The extension, coupled with the service, lets you close all tabs and windows in Chrome and leave only one tab (the default one that opens when you first launch the browser), delete cookies, browsing history, bookmarks or apps and extensions. To execute anyone of these commands on a browser, check the box next to each one and click Submit. The extension checks after 5 minute intervals to see if any new commands have been sent to the browser and duly executes them.

Be warned that if you have Chrome sync set up across these browsers, the commands you send will be implemented on all of them. For example, if you’ve synced Chrome from your work system with Chrome on your home system, deleting bookmarks on your work system’s Chrome will remove bookmarks on Chrome installed at home. If you want to remove bookmarks from your work system only, stop syncing Chrome on your home system and then send the command. You cannot disable sync using the extension as Chrome doesn’t let you do that but once it does, the developers will integrate the feature.

To rename one of the browsers, go to your dashboard, double click the browser name, edit it and click Ok. To remove a browser, click the red minus sign in front of a browser and it will be removed from your account.

By default, the extension checks to see if any new commands have been sent/ received every five minutes, however, to force a manual check in the browser you’re using, click the extension’s icon and click Check Now on the pop-up.

Before getting in to possible improvements for the extension, let me start off by saying the concept itself is brilliant and extremely useful. Think of a scenario where you may have logged in to Facebook at work, closed the tab without signing out and someone (your boss) opens Facebook to find you logged in. With this extension, you can tell the browser to delete all cookies (including session cookies) and keep you from getting caught.

The extension works smoothly, no glitches in the test whatsoever. It is still in beta and one feature that would take it to the next level would be if you could selectively delete history items, bookmarks and/ or apps. The developers know best what constraints Chrome has and they are diligently improving it. While in Beta, you can add as many browsers as you want.

Install REM-I-CON Extension For Chrome

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WBICreator: Create Bootable Windows ISO Disc Image From Setup Folder

WBICreator: Create Bootable Windows ISO Disc Image From Setup Folder:

We often save a backup copy of our Windows installer disc on a local or external drive, in case the original disc is damaged, lost or unavailable. Burning these files directly to a disc does not create a bootable CD/DVD for installing Windows. Many people do not know how to create a bootable disc and some software which allow doing so easily are paid (such as Nero). For long there has been a freeware used by system administrators to create bootable disc images for Windows Vista and XP, known as nLite, but it does not support Windows 7.

A solution for creating bootable images of Windows 7, Vista or even XP can be found in the form of the recenty released ASKVG tool, known as WBICreator or (Windows Bootable Image Creator). This portable utility creates a bootable ISO disc image from the Windows setup folder from your local, external drive (USB drive) or CD/DVD drive. The created ISO image can then be burned (to create a bootable disc) using any disc burning utility such as 7Burn, BurnAware, etc.

To create a disc image, launch WBICreator and select an operating system.

Once an operating system is selected, add a disc image label, setup location containing the Windows installer disc files and an output folder for saving the ISO image. Click Go to continue.

This will create an ISO image in the destination folder which will become bootable when you burn it onto an optical disc.

Hence, using WBICreator, you can create a bootable ISO image in three easy steps, without having to use complicated advanced disc burning tools. It should also be noted that this ISO image can also be used to create a bootable USB. If you don’t know how to create a bootable USB for installing Windows, then check out the guide here & here. It works on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Download WBICreator

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BlueScreenView: View Windows BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) Crash Information

BlueScreenView: View Windows BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) Crash Information:

When a system suffers from a BSOD aka Blue Screen of death, it can be hard to determine its cause. Sometimes a BSOD can appear due to hard disk failure, whereas, at other instances it can appear be due to an incompatible driver.

BlueScreenView is a portable application by Nirsoft which scans your minidump files created during blue screen of death crashes. The dump file information is displayed in the form of a table containing minidump filename, the date, time, bug check code and other information regarding the crash. On the main interface, you will find the crash information in the upper pane and detailed information about the dump file in the bottom pane, for easy identification of the reason behind the system crash. The crash details can also be viewed in the conventional Blue Screen view (within the applications interface).

Once launched, BlueScreen View automatically scans your minidump folder and displays crash information. Driver version and resource information is extracted and displayed automatically along with, file version, product, company, bug check string, bug check code and file description.

You can double click on any file name or dump file to find more details about it.

To quickly search for an available bug, check for the driver using Google Search. Head over to the File menu and select “Google Search – Bug Check+Driver”.

To see the crash report in the conventional blue screen form, go to Options –> lower Pane Mode –> Blue Screen in XP Style. The crash report data can also be saved in TXT, HTML, XML and CSV format.

BlueScreenView, like other Nirsoft applications, comes with many other common options, such as searching for information using matching cases, view of columns and rows, enabling/disabling of interface headers and so on. BlueScreen View works on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, provided Windows is configured to save minidump files for Blue Screen of Death crashes.

Download BlueScreen View

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