Windows, Chrome, and PuTTY Tips - Halt Reboots, Enable Menus, Tabbed Windows

Reader Tips: Enhancing Your Digital Experience

Each week, we review and publish useful suggestions submitted by our readers. This installment focuses on preventing unwanted Windows reboots during updates, activating Unity menus within the Chrome browser, and integrating tabs directly into your PuTTY sessions.

Stopping Automatic Windows Reboots After Updates

A common frustration is the unexpected reboot that often follows Windows updates. Fortunately, there's a method to temporarily disable this automatic restarting.

This can be achieved through the Registry Editor. Navigating to the correct key allows users to gain control over the reboot process, ensuring work isn't interrupted.

Enabling Unity Menus in Google Chrome

For those utilizing Unity web games, Chrome offers a feature to enable Unity menus. This enhancement provides a more streamlined and integrated gaming experience.

Accessing this functionality involves entering a specific command in the Chrome address bar. This unlocks the full potential of Unity games played within the browser.

Adding Tabs to Your PuTTY Interface

The PuTTY terminal emulator is a popular choice for remote access. Improving its usability can be achieved by adding tab support.

While not natively included, tab functionality can be implemented through third-party tools or modifications. This allows for managing multiple connections within a single PuTTY window, boosting efficiency.

These tips represent just a small selection of the helpful advice shared by our community. We encourage readers to continue submitting their own discoveries and solutions.

One-Click Reboot and Halt Functionality with Batch Files

A user named Dave was pleased with a previously shared tip regarding halting reboots. Consequently, he developed a batch file designed to postpone updates until the subsequent system startup.

The Problem of Interruptive Updates

One frequently frustrating aspect of Windows Update, and similar systems, is the timing of restart notifications. These prompts often appear when numerous applications are open, requiring users to save their work, close programs, and initiate a reboot.

Recalling the previous workflow after such an interruption can prove challenging.

The Solution: A Convenient Batch File

This solution, initially featured on HTG, offers a streamlined approach. Create a new batch file containing the following commands:

net stop "automatic updates" 

pause

Save the file under a memorable name, such as GOAWAY.bat. A single click will then disable the update service.

It’s important to note that the service will automatically reactivate upon the next system boot, ideally at a more opportune moment.

Desktop Shortcut and Icon Customization

For easy access, create a desktop shortcut to the batch file. Consider changing the shortcut’s icon to a “NOT” symbol (a red circle with a slash) or an unhappy face for quick identification.

Additional Considerations

We appreciate Dave for sharing this helpful solution! For users with larger monitors and available taskbar space, pinning the shortcut directly to the taskbar could be a beneficial option if frequent, forced reboots are a significant inconvenience.

This method provides a simple way to temporarily defer updates, allowing for greater control over system restarts.

Enabling Unity Menus within Google Chrome

For Google Chrome users on Ubuntu Linux, a useful enhancement involves integrating Unity menu support. This functionality is accessible through Chrome’s experimental features.

Accessing Experimental Features

To enable this integration, navigate to about:flags within the Chrome address bar. A specific setting, labeled "Experimental GNOME menu bar support," needs to be located and activated.

Following the activation of this setting, a restart of the Chrome browser is required. The changes to the menu structure will then be immediately apparent.

The about:flags and about:config menus within Chrome often contain hidden functionalities and customizations.

Utilizing Tabbed PuTTY

For those who frequently use PuTTY, a tool called PuTTYTabManager can significantly improve workflow efficiency.

PuTTYTabManager Functionality

PuTTYTabManager acts as a graphical user interface (GUI) wrapper for PuTTY. It allows users to open and manage multiple PuTTY sessions concurrently.

This is particularly beneficial when needing to establish connections to several servers via SSH or telnet, streamlining the process for advanced PuTTY users.

In addition to PuTTYTabManager, Putty Connection Manager is another client worth exploring for managing PuTTY connections.

Share Your Tips

Do you have a helpful tip you’d like to share? Submit your suggestions to tips@howtogeek.com for potential inclusion on the website.