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home_server:mswindows_notes [2026-01-23 Fri wk04 11:15] – [Background] baumkphome_server:mswindows_notes [2026-04-27 Mon wk18 19:29] (current) – [MS Word] baumkp
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-=====MSWindows 10 - Software Install List=====+=====MSWindows 11 - Software Install List=====
 //**I do not use Windows much at home anymore.**//  I have highlighted the software I still use with a (**!**), and software I use on my Linux desktop **L**\\ //**I do not use Windows much at home anymore.**//  I have highlighted the software I still use with a (**!**), and software I use on my Linux desktop **L**\\
   *First up to make easier to load up system   *First up to make easier to load up system
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   *Productivity (Unless otherwise noted the software I use at work provided by work. I believe it to be appropriately licensed by work too.)   *Productivity (Unless otherwise noted the software I use at work provided by work. I believe it to be appropriately licensed by work too.)
       *ACadLT2017 - CAD - got rid of this subscription, just too expensive for my occasional use.       *ACadLT2017 - CAD - got rid of this subscription, just too expensive for my occasional use.
-      *ACAD 2022 - CAD software I use at work.+      *ACAD - CAD software I use at work, uses a network token system on the latest loaded version.
       *Navisworks - 3D productivity software, I started using the limited free, version at work, Freedom.  I now have the full version at work, Manage.       *Navisworks - 3D productivity software, I started using the limited free, version at work, Freedom.  I now have the full version at work, Manage.
       *Foxit Pro - a PDF reader and writer (**!**) I no longer use, there is no full Linux that I can use on my home machines.        *Foxit Pro - a PDF reader and writer (**!**) I no longer use, there is no full Linux that I can use on my home machines. 
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 Notes on licensed software: Notes on licensed software:
-  *Xplorer2 :- I am going back to using plan Windows Explorer.  The licensing requirements were a pain in the arse.  I appreciate that the author fairly and reasonably wants to make money from the product he has worked on, however I was primarily using this product at home on a few machines and on a work machine.  The author required that I have licenses on every machine.  This coupled with learning the interface that is not identical to vanilla Explorer made me give up on the software. Also, at home I now primarily use Linux desktop for which Xplorer2 does not function. I believe I had 2 for life licenses, although this was for 2 different versions of the application.  I suspect the author may have modified the "for life license"?  As of 2024 I have not used this product for circa 7 years.+  *Xplorer2 :- I have gone back to using plan Windows File Explorer.  TheXplorer2 licensing requirements were a pain in the arse.  I appreciate that the author fairly and reasonably wants to make money from the product he has worked on, however I was primarily using this product at home on a few machines and on a work machine.  The author required that I have licenses on every machine.  This coupled with learning the interface that is not identical to vanilla File Explorer made me give up on the software. Also, at home I now primarily use Linux desktop for which Xplorer2 does not function. I believe I had 2 for life licenses, although this was for 2 different versions of the application.  I suspect the author may have modified the "for life license"?  As of 2024 I have not used this product for circa 7 years.
   *Polyview :- Went the way of the Dodo.....  I had a license. I do not regret purchasing this license once off.  I got many years of use.  It worked really well at the time. I remember sending a query to the author concerning font comparability, circa 2008. He said the program was ANSI font only not compatible with the expanded font set, I forget what it is called now.   *Polyview :- Went the way of the Dodo.....  I had a license. I do not regret purchasing this license once off.  I got many years of use.  It worked really well at the time. I remember sending a query to the author concerning font comparability, circa 2008. He said the program was ANSI font only not compatible with the expanded font set, I forget what it is called now.
   *VueScan :- simply the best scanner program around, consistently well supported.  Multi platformed, Windows, Linux, perhaps Mac.   *VueScan :- simply the best scanner program around, consistently well supported.  Multi platformed, Windows, Linux, perhaps Mac.
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 ===xplorer2=== ===xplorer2===
-xplorer2 is a nice Windows Explorer replacement with many extra features. I used for a number of years, but again the licensing requirement just became more than they were worth for me.\\  I purchased a copy for personal home use and another copy for work use.  The license is tied to a particular computer on to which the software is installed and authorised for use.  I have a number of computers at home, and generally only one at work. It was basically required that I have a license for every computer at home, I could not justify the expense and inconvenience associated with swapping active license on machines at home. I asked to install the license on more than one machine and the response was basically one license one machine!\\  Basically the built in version of Explorer in Windows meets 95+% of my daily needs.\\ +xplorer2 is a nice Windows File Explorer replacement with many extra features. I used for a number of years, but again the licensing requirement just became more than they were worth for me.\\  I purchased a copy for personal home use and another copy for work use.  The license is tied to a particular computer on to which the software is installed and authorised for use.  I have a number of computers at home, and generally only one at work. It was basically required that I have a license for every computer at home, I could not justify the expense and inconvenience associated with swapping active license on machines at home. I asked to install the license on more than one machine and the response was basically one license one machine!\\  Basically the built in version of File Explorer in Windows meets 95+% of my daily needs.\\ 
-An additional problem with using xplorer2 was that I got use to using it and when I went back to standard explorer it was uncomfortable to use.   As this software is basically on every Windows machine this happened often. So I have simply stopped using xplorer2 at work and at home, it is simply not worth the trouble, particularly with the restrictive license requirements.\\+An additional problem with using xplorer2 was that I got use to using it and when I went back to standard File Explorer it was uncomfortable to use.   As this software is basically on every Windows machine this happened often. So I have simply stopped using xplorer2 at work and at home, it is simply not worth the trouble, particularly with the restrictive license requirements.\\
 Ultimately the software owner has the right to limit their software to 1 machine per license, however I have the similar right to decided this means the software it too expensive and inconvenient for me to justify to use. For this type of software I want a license that gives me unfettered home use on at least 2 machines and perhaps all home personal use machines, with a separate license for work use. Ultimately the software owner has the right to limit their software to 1 machine per license, however I have the similar right to decided this means the software it too expensive and inconvenient for me to justify to use. For this type of software I want a license that gives me unfettered home use on at least 2 machines and perhaps all home personal use machines, with a separate license for work use.
  
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 In Linux symlinks seem to be more robust (mind you just about everything seems more robust...)  Symlinks to files are used as a control mechanism.  Hard links are frequently used as a backup technique to minimise real backup space used. In Linux symlinks seem to be more robust (mind you just about everything seems more robust...)  Symlinks to files are used as a control mechanism.  Hard links are frequently used as a backup technique to minimise real backup space used.
 +
 +=====Windows file manager webDAV Nextcloud setup=====
 +Map a network drive using:
 +''%%https://cloud.kptree.net/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/%%''
  
 ====Windows Symlink equivalent command - mklink==== ====Windows Symlink equivalent command - mklink====
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 For Windows 10 you need to move over the task bar program until the small program window appears, this also bring to foreground the main window too. Then right click on the small program window to get the move and maximise options. For Windows 10 you need to move over the task bar program until the small program window appears, this also bring to foreground the main window too. Then right click on the small program window to get the move and maximise options.
 +
 +=====Windows 11 Multitasking / Screen Control=====
 +  - Powertools Screen control key set: windows + shift + `
 +  - Multitasking setting (windows + i then select multitasking (under system))
 +    -  Snap Windows options
 +    - Alt Tab options
 +
 +=====Windows 11 File Explorer options=====
 +  - Powertools Screen control key set: windows + shift + `
 +  - For developers (windows + i then select for developers (under system))
 +
  
 ======MSExcel Tips====== ======MSExcel Tips======
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 ======MS Word====== ======MS Word======
  
 +One of the biggest problems with MSWord, like almost all USA software is seemingly hard defaults to the inch system and US paper system.  I do not like using this system and prefer the metric system and ISO A series paper size.  I wish there was some way to isolate of other wise remove the USA measurement system and paper sizes.
 =====TOC (Table of Content Switches===== =====TOC (Table of Content Switches=====
   *[[https://www.bettersolutions.com/word/fields/toc-field.htm|TOC [switches]]]   *[[https://www.bettersolutions.com/word/fields/toc-field.htm|TOC [switches]]]
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     *-3, Sets the lineweight to "DEFAULT."  Where "DEFAULT" is controlled by the LWDEFAULT system variable.     *-3, Sets the lineweight to "DEFAULT."  Where "DEFAULT" is controlled by the LWDEFAULT system variable.
     * Other valid values entered in hundredths of millimeters, from 0 to 2540 hundredths of millimeters.     * Other valid values entered in hundredths of millimeters, from 0 to 2540 hundredths of millimeters.
 +
 +====XREF Layer control====
 +
 +Issue: Changes to an External Reference (Xref) do not show up when reloading the Xref in AutoCAD products. Such changes include:
 +  *Layer line type.
 +  *Layer line thickness.
 +  *Layer color.
 +  *Layer transparency.
 +  *Elements added or deleted.
 +  *Additionally, the Xref may update in the base drawing without issue when a different layer with the same properties is chosen.
 +
 +Causes:
 +  *The ''VISRETAIN'' system variable is set to 0.
 +  *The ''VISRETAIN'' system variable is set to 1 and the VISRETAINMODE system variable is set to 0.
 +  *''XREFOVERRIDE'' is set to 1.
 +  *Corrupted file.
 +  *Corrupted AutoCAD profile.
 +  ***Changes are being made in paper space**
 +
 +''VISRETAIN''
 +^Value ^Descritption ^
 +|0 |The layer table, as stored in the reference drawing (xref), takes precedence. Changes made to xref-dependent layers in the current drawing are valid in the current session only and are not saved with the drawing. When the current drawing is reopened, the layer table is reloaded from the reference drawing, and the current drawing reflects all of those layer property settings.|
 +|1 |Xref-dependent layer changes made in the current drawing take precedence. Layer settings are saved with the current drawing's layer table and persist from session to session. **(default)**|
 +
 +''VISRETAINMODE''
 +
 +Controls the behavior of the VISRETAIN system variable when it's set to 1.
 +
 +Use this system variable in conjunction with the VISRETAIN system variable to control which xref layer properties that you want to automatically sync on reload.
 +
 +Note: Xref layer properties with overrides are not synced when the xref is reloaded. To clear any overrides, use the shortcut menu option, Reset Xref Layer Properties For, on the Layer Properties Manager.
 +
 +^Value ^Description ^
 +|0 |No settings are synchronized. You will have the same experience when you set VISRETAIN to 1 in AutoCAD 2017 or earlier.  **(default)**|
 +|1 |On/Off synchronized. |
 +|2 |Freeze/Thaw synchronized. |
 +|4 |Lock/Unlock synchronized. |
 +|8 |Plot/No Plot synchronized. |
 +|16 |Color synchronized. |
 +|32 |Linetype synchronized. |
 +|64 |Lineweight synchronized. |
 +|128 |Transparency synchronized. |
 +|256 |Plot style synchronized. |
 +|512 |New VP Freeze synchronized. |
 +|1024 |Description synchronized. |
 +To specify more than one layer property to sync, enter the sum of the bitcode values. For example, a value of 3 specifies that both the On/Off (1) and Freeze/Thaw (2) layer properties will automatically sync when the xref is reloaded.
 +
 +''XREFOVERRIDE''
 +
 +Controls the display of object properties on referenced layers.
 +
 +The XREFOVERRIDE system variable affects display and plotting, and works in conjunction with the VISRETAIN system variable. If you want the xref layers to retain their original layer settings, it is recommended to set VISRETAIN and XREFOVERRIDE system variables to 0.
 +
 +^Value ^Description ^
 +|0 |When the properties of the objects (such as color, linetype, lineweight, transparency, or plot style) on the external reference drawing are set to ByLayer, any changes to the xref layer properties are displayed in the current drawing (legacy behavior) **(default)**|
 +|1 |When the visual properties of the objects on the external reference drawing are not set to ByLayer, objects on xref layers are treated as if their properties are set to ByLayer and every external reference layer can have its own set of layer overrides |
 +
 +Note: The XREFOVERRIDE system variable only applies to DWG xrefs, not to other references such as underlays.
 +
 +**References**
 +  *Autodesk:
 +    *[[https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Modified-xref-layers-are-not-updating-with-Reload.html?msockid=3252c0c437986e992b7dd21936096f31|Modified Xref layers do not update in the host drawing when the Xref is reloaded in AutoCAD products]]
 +    *[[https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-897B1672-4E09-42E0-B857-A9D1F96ED671|VISRETAIN (System Variable)]]
 +    *[[https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-46480687-6DFF-499E-B7C0-E741AEA11D00|VISRETAINMODE (System Variable)]]
 +    *[[https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-131E3BBB-A28A-40BC-BDC5-A4486C1E2DBE|XREFOVERRIDE (System Variable)]]
 +    *[[https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-DEB2A4C9-8C16-4EC9-8392-1BF8ED2A383A|Layer Settings Dialog Box (Layer Properties Manager)]] LAYER (Command) {{:home_server:guid-17e48045-1f9a-4b8d-b2de-01b2b8da4c4e.png?24|}}: Layer Settings {{:home_server:guid-742d2bd9-aa09-4ec4-8860-86a56e7bea7a.png?24|}}
 +    *[[https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-B297EBD9-D68C-47E1-87CE-1B3798496599|Layer Properties Manager]] LAYER (Command) {{:home_server:guid-17e48045-1f9a-4b8d-b2de-01b2b8da4c4e.png?24|}}
 +  *[[https://www.howtoautocad.com/visretain-xrefs-not-saving-layer-states|VISRETAIN - Xrefs not saving layer states]]
 ======Accessibility Contract Checker====== ======Accessibility Contract Checker======
 Form versus function, unfortunately the moronic types seem to favour form over function.  Contrast of text is particularly important to allow easier reading. Form versus function, unfortunately the moronic types seem to favour form over function.  Contrast of text is particularly important to allow easier reading.