Java Control Panel is missing Update options

Remember when you wanted your computer to boot up fast so that you could print out your résumé because your interview starts in an hour.  Your closing pop-ups left and right to try and get the computer to boot faster, and the dreaded Java Update pop-up comes into the foreground.  You tell yourself, "I gotta remember to update Java, or disable the update."  You check the Java control panel, and there is no place to disable the automatic update.

Yes, I know that is from a Windows 7 computer,
but the solution is applicable to both OSes.

There is a DWORD key that needs to be added to your registry.

1. Open a command prompt if you are logged into an admin account.
2. Enter the following in the command prompt:
• reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Update\Policy" /v "EnableJavaUpdate" /t REG_DWORD /d "00000001" /f
3. Check the Java Control Panel.  It should look like the picture below.

If for some reason, you desire to disable the "update" tab, just do the same thing as above, change the DWORD value to "00000000" instead.

Enjoy managing your Java updates!

Microsoft® Windows® XP - Disable Autorun

Do you ever treat your computer's USB port as a door knob?  (Every flash drive gets a turn...*insert the sound of crickets*...it sounded funnier in my head.)  Have you ever had a computer after connecting a flash drive, or inserting a CD in your CD drive?  Microsoft® Windows® XP has a feature called autorun, and this feature causes a flash drive/CD to automatically start a program.  Personally, I think that the autorun feature is a big security hole when it comes to preventing a virus from installing itself.  I know of a library that would allow patrons to connect a flash drive to the computers, thus the computers would become infected with a virus.  Much like Typhoid Mary, the computer would infect any flash drive and external drive that it will come into contact with.  The virus would also infect any network shares which were mapped on the computer.  Enough explanation, on with the show.

There are two ways to disable the autorun feature of Microsoft® Windows® XP.  The easy way is by using the Microsoft® Fix it utilities.

• Disable Autorun
• Enable Autorun

Done and done!

Oh, for whatever reason you want to disable the autorun using manual settings?  Really? Seriously?!  Who am I to prevent you from wasting you time doing manual IT labor?  In a nutshell, execute the following instructions:

• Launch Group Policy Editor by running Gpedit.msc

1. Click Start, click on Run, type Gpedit.msc in the "Run" dialog box, and press Enter.
2. Expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, then select System.
3. Focus your view in the right-hand side of the window, look for Turn off Autoplay which you will double-click.
4. Once you see the settings of Autoplay, click on Enable to turn off Autoplay, or select Disable to enable Autoplay.
5. With Autoplay disabled, select All drives under the "Turn off Autoplay for:" dropdown menu.
6. Enjoy your computer Autoplay free!

Microsoft® Windows® Group Policy Editor

What?  You want to see yet another complicated way to disable/enable Autoplay?  Follow the link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/967715 which will lead you to the same page where I got the information for this posting.  If you scroll all the way to the bottom, you will see a set of instructions on how to do this through the registry.

Good luck with modifying your registry...

Optimize Microsoft® Windows® XP Series: Trimming your system bloat - Part 1

Optimizing Microsoft® Windows® XP Series: Post 2 - Part 1

Think about the feeling you get after a huge Thanksgiving feast over at aunt Ida's house.  Do you feel that tryptophan coursing through your veins?  Do you like feeling bloated?  Then why would your computer like that feeling?  If your computer is in need of some spring cleaning, then read on...

Tip #1
I am going to recommend a few thinks that can assist you with controlling bloatware on your computer.  I would highly recommend a good spyware/malware removal tool.  Personally, I would only recommend Piriform® CCleaner and Malwarebytes.  CCleaner cleans up browser history, temporary files that build up, log files, etc.  Malwarebytes cleans up malware (malicious software) such as fake anti-virus programs, pop-up generators, etc.  Both of these are free however, there is a "pro" version of Malwarebytes which also provides real-time protection.  The free version of Malwarebytes does give you a 14-day trial of the "pro" version.  Use them in the following order:

1. Download Piriform® CCleaner, install it, run it
• Run this one to remove temporary files, which will reduce the amount of time spent scanning with Malwarebytes
• CCleaner will clean up the currently logged in profile only.  Run in each user account if you can.  If you can't log in as other accounts, then just expect a longer scan.
2. Download Malwarebytes, install it, run it.
3. Enjoy a malware free computer.

Tip #2

The most common useless software installations are web browser toolbars.  I often remove web search toolbars.  The first think that the computer user says is, "But how will I search the internet?" :-|

Every popular web browser let's you search via the address bar, or built-in search bar.  Here is a list:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla FireFox
• Internet Explorer 9
• Internet Explorer 7 & 8
• Safari
• Opera

Alternatively try using the following search engines:  Google, Bing, or Yahoo!

Tip #3 (click on links at your own risk)

There are some computer users that like all of the neat interactive desktop enhancements that can be donwloaded such as, WeatherBug, Desktop Wallpaper w/calendar program, Google Desktop, Windows  Desktop Search, etc... Do not install any of these programs as all they do is use up your limited computer resources.  You want the weather, go to weather.com.  You want desktop backgrounds, Microsoft® has desktop backgrounds.  Oh, you want a celebrity background, go to Google Images.

Part 2 coming soon...