For what reason we cannot rename any folders in computer as "CON"?

A Small Interesting Information which circulates via email and online, it is not possible to create a folder named "CON" on a Microsoft Windows based computer.
The message claims that not even Bill Gates or the whole Microsoft "Team" can explain why this might be so.

'Con' was the abbreviation for 'Console'. No need to explain that to a Unix user.
If you try to name a folder using one of these reserved names, the name will automatically revert to the default, generally "New Folder".
Moreover, if you try to use a reserved name to name a file such as a Notepad or Microsoft Word document you will generally receive an error message similar to the following:

It is in fact perfectly true that you cannot create a folder named "CON", nor can you rename an existing folder to "CON".
However, there is no mystery surrounding this restriction whatsoever.

The "team" at Microsoft, and a great many others besides, know perfectly well why you cannot name a folder "CON". "CON"
and a number of other character strings are in fact reserved names that go back to the days of DOS and cannot be used to name folders or files.

Other reserved names are:
* PRN
* AUX
* NUL
* LPT1
* COM1
* Potential drive letter - A: to Z:

* A number of others If you try to name a folder using one of these reserved names, the name will automatically revert to the default, generally "New Folder".

Moreover, if you try to use a reserved name to name a file such as a Notepad or Microsoft Word document you will generally receive an error message similar to the following:

Reserved name warning Depending on exactly how you save the file, you may instead receive a warning message advising that a file with that name already exists.

However, even if you choose "Yes" to overwrite the existing file, you will still not be allowed* to save the file.

-R.v.KirubaKaran

The Six Most Useful Free Applications

I have spent too much of my spare time scouring the corners of the internet, looking for applications to fulfill my many (and often unusual) needs. This has led me to publish what (in my opinion) are the six most useful free applications out there.

1.Notepad ++

Every Windows user has come across notepad at some point of their experiences. Whether viewing the source code of a website, or editing .txt files, notepad is one of the bare necessities on Windows.

Notepad ++ is just what it says on the tin - a souped-up version of notepad. There are many additional features that make it all the more useful: from the ability to code and check scripts in just about every computer language you can think of, to the simple (yet effective) tabbed document interface, letting you have multiple documents open in the same window.

2.Mozilla Firefox

Firefox has always been there, providing a strong alternative to Microsoft Internet Explorer. Some people have been unsure as to why to bother using another browser, whilst others argue that Firefox is the best available browser.

Especially with the release of the improved Firefox 3, Firefox has become a very useful tool for surfing the internet. But, with the added functionality of the hundreds of available add-ons, you can do more than just surf the web: you can customize the way web pages look, create macros that complete all those boring repetitive tasks for you (like filling in forms online), and even get rid of all those annoying ads that are plastered all over the internet!

3.GIMP

Ever wanted to use the fancy features available on Photoshop, but not had enough money to buy the professional software? Well, look no further. GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, and is very useful when professional graphics programs (such as Photoshop) are not available. It has many similar features to Photoshop, and is completely free!

Whether you want to edit a photo, create a company logo, or make banner for your website, then GIMP is the best free program available.

4.AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

The professional versions of AVG are used by many large companies, and it is one of the top anti-virus softwares out there.

The free edition of AVG still includes all of the good anti-virus features from the professional edition, making it (in my opinion) the best free anti-virus software. Virus definitions are updated daily, making sure that your computer is kept safe. Also, with scheduled scanning you can ensure that you never leave your hard drive unscanned for long periods of time.

5.Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free

This nifty little program scans your computer for spyware and malware, and allows you to remove them from your system completely. Inferior only to professional programs, Ad-Aware Free has all the functionality and security you would want from a freeware spyware removal tool.


6.Revo Uninstaller

Ever come to uninstall a program, and find that there's no uninstall option? Well, for tricky little programs like that, the answer is Revo Uninstaller. This piece of software can remove just about any program from your system, whether there is an uninstaller or not. And do not go thinking that it goes stumbling in the dark and deleted random files that share similar names to that of the program you want to uninstall - Revo Uninstaller searches the registry and removes only files and folders directly associated to the program being removed.

This program also has extra handy features, like the ability to control which programs start automatically when Windows starts, and a junk file remover - which removes unnecessary clutter from your hard drive.

I can think of many, many more programs that would be suitable for this list, but to write them all here would prove both boring for me and you, the reader. Please bear in mind that these are the best free programs available in my opinion - this is not a form of factual league table or similar.

Registry Cleaner

Freeware Registry Software VS Commercial Registry Software

We can compare both freeware and commercial registry cleaner, highlight the differences between them and how you can use them to your advantage.

Advantages of freeware:

Pros #1 - No Cost. You need not pay any money to use them.

Pros #2 - Can combine many cleaners for best errors detection and result.

Pros #3 - Only some of the software will provide certain protection of known ActiveX Errors.

Pros #4 - Only some will comes with automatic archive as well as full archive for the Windows registry.

Disadvantage of freeware:

Cons #1 - Not effective when using them alone, must combine few for best result.

Cons #2 - Require human intervention most of the time, not recommended to auto repair with freeware cleaner.

Cons #3 - Most the freeware cleaner does not provide backup functionality, you need to use regedit and do manual backup.

Cons #4 - No support or limited support from freeware vendors.

Cons#5 - Detect slower, scanning feature not optimize to the maximum..

Cons #6 - Not updated all the time.

Advantage of Commercial software:

Pros #1 - Detect more errors and scan faster, easier to repair even with only one software.

Pros #2 - Auto-backup before cleaning, easily to restore when ever the Windows behave abnormally.

Pros #3 - More advance tools to speed up Windows.

Pros #4 - Some of the software will allow schedule scan and automatic repair, enhance user experience and maintain your computer automatically.

Pros #5 - Better support from the vendors.

Pros #6 - Provide protection against known ActiveX problems.

Pros #7 - Always up to date following the update of the operating system.

Disadvantage of Commercial software:

Cons #1 - Not free, and some cost a lot.

Cons #2 - Does not guarantee to worth the price unless recommended by reviews.

Cons #3 - Some required monthly recurring charges while most required yearly charges.

Hope the list of pros and cons help you determine when to use freeware registry cleaner and when to use commercial software, you can find the best registry repair software here or visit the registry cleaner review, although there are no strict rules but you can use them as guidelines for your advantage.

-R.v.KirubaKaran