re-create the Show desktop icon

Per the article, create the shortcut manually on your management station using the following steps:
To re-create the Show desktop icon yourself, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type notepad in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Carefully copy and then paste the following text into the Notepad window:
   [Shell]
   Command=2
   IconFile=explorer.exe,3
   [Taskbar]
   Command=ToggleDesktop
3. On the File menu, click Save As, and then save the file to your desktop as "Show desktop.scf". The Show desktop icon is created on your desktop.
4. (optional) Click and then drag the Show desktop icon to your Quick Launch toolbar. 

source : https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/a06eafb1-51be-4e7a-a8a0-5cddbcc65804/create-show-desktop-in-gpp-shortcuts?forum=winserverGP

Automatically Map Network Drives on Domain Login for All Users, Certain Users, or Certain Groups

As always, use the following instructions at your own risk (and joy). Please submit any corrections or comments if you feel so moved.

Auto map network drives on login for all users

1. Save the following batch file to the domain controller's NETLOGON share as logon.bat:
   @echo off
   net use * /delete /yes
   net use x: \\server_name\shared_directory_name
2. Active Directory Users and Computers
3. Right click domain name at top left and click Properties > Group Policy > Edit > User Configuration > Windows Settings > Scripts (Logon/Logoff) > Logon > Add...
4. Enter path to logon.bat (e.g., \\ACME.local\sysvol\ACME.local\scripts\logon.bat) and click OK three times
5. Login from workstation. Drive x: should appear in My Computer.

Auto map network drives on login for certain users:

1. Save the following batch file to the domain controller's NETLOGON share as logon.bat:
   @echo off
   net use * /delete /yes
   net use x: \\file_server_name\shared_directory_name
2. Active Directory Users and Computers > Users > Double click user > Profile
3. Enter "logon.bat" (no quotes) in the "Logon script" box and click OK
4. Login from workstation as user modified in step 2. Drive x: should appear in My Computer.

Auto map network drives on login based on Group membership

1. Get KiXtart
2. Put WKIX32.EXE in both the domain controller's NETLOGON share and %SystemRoot% (normally C:\WINNT\).
3. Save the following script as map_drive.kx to the NETLOGON share (be sure to change the group as needed - here we've used Domain Users):
   use "*" /DELETE
   if ingroup("Domain Users")
   use x: "\\server_name\share_name"
   endif
4. Save the following batch file (which calls your KiXtart script) as login.bat to the domain controller's NETLOGON share:
   @echo off
   \\server_name\NETLOGON\WKIX32.EXE \\server_name\NETLOGON\map_drive.kx
5. Active Directory Users and Computers
6. Right click domain name at top left and click Properties > Group Policy > Edit > User Configuration > Windows Settings > Scripts (Logon/Logoff) > Logon > Add...
7. Enter path to login.bat (e.g., \\ACME.local\sysvol\ACME.local\scripts\login.bat) and click OK three times
8. Login from workstation as a user belonging to group designated in map_drive.kx. Drive x: should appear in My Computer.
9. If x: does not appear, check the permissions of NETLOGON, WKIX32.EXE, your script files, etc. Also, make sure that the user or group has the necessary permissions on the shared folder you are mapping.

More KiXtart Examples

1. Map drive if user is *not* a member of a certain group (in this case, "Students"):

   If InGroup("Students") = 0
      Use R: "\\server\records"
   EndIf
   

2. Using Boolean operators:

   If InGroup("Teachers") Or InGroup("Office") Or InGroup("PTA")
      Use G: "\\server\Grownup_Files"
   EndIf
   
   If InGroup("2008 Class") And InGroup("Honors")
      Use S: "\\server\smart_kids"
   EndIf
   

3. Using Select...EndSelect (stops processing on the first true Case)

   Select
      Case InGroup("Students")
         Use S: "\\server\student_storage"
      Case InGroup("Office")
         Use O: "\\server\office_docs"
         Use R: "\\server\records"
      Case InGroup("Teachers")
         Use O: "\\server\office_docs"
         Use S: "\\server\student_storage"
         Use T: "\\server\teaching_materials"
   EndSelect

   reference : http://tinyapps.org/docs/auto_map_network_drives.html

Install MySQL on Windows 7

Introduction

Download MySQL

Uninstall any previous versions through Control Panel prior to install.

MySQL is 'Open Source' software that is undergoing constant development.

At the time of writing this guide there are two later versions available

1. MySQL 5.5 is the current development release series

2. MySQL 5.1 is the current General Availability (Production) release series

I recommend you dowload the latest General Availability (GA) version as it has undergone extensive testing and is considered 'stable'.

To check which is the latest GA version click here - http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/choosing-version.html

The download you need for Windows is 'MSI Installer' for your system

mysql-essential-X.XX.XX-win32.msi - for 32 bit Windows OR

mysql-essential-X.XX.XX-winx64.msi - for 64 bit Windows

Download link - http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/#downloads

You must exit all other programs, in particular Anti Virus programs.

The install outlines here was on a 64bit system and is identical to 32 bit install.

Should you experience errors with the install - see NOTES below

Step 1

Navigate to the folder you downloaded to and click on install package.

Step 2

You may receive this security warning - click Run

Step 3

Click Next >

Step 4

You may select Typical if you are have a limited hard disk capacity.

I recommend Complete install.

Click Next >

Step 5

You are now ready to install - click Install

Step 6

Click Next >

Step 7

Click Next >

Step 8

Tick Configure the MySQL Server now

Registration is optional.

Click Finish

Step 9

Click Next >

Step 10

Your will only see this screen if you have previously installed or patrially installed this version of MySQL

If not previously installed go to Step 11

Select Reconfigure Instance then click Next >

Step 11

Select Detailed Configuration then click Next >

Step 12

Select Developer Machine then click Next >

Step 13

Select Non-Transactional Database Only then click Next >

Step 14

Select Decision Support (DSS)/OLAP then click Next >

Step 15

Select both (default) options: Enable TCP/IP Networking and Enable Strict Mode then click Next >

Step 16

Select (Default) Standard Character Set then click Next >

Step 17

Select both options: Install As Windows Service and Include Bin Directory in Windows Path then click Next >

Note: if you have installed an earlier version of MySQL the default Service Name: MySQL will not be available as it is already in use.

You MUST uninstall previous version to use the default Service Name

Step 18

If you have a previous install you must enter Current root password - if no previous install you will not see this

Enter New root password and Confirm

Make sure you record the Root Password

Note: The default username is root.

It is recommended to change this setting up PHPMyAdmin or MySQL Command Line Client (advanced)

Click Next >

Step 19

Click Execute to configure your database server.

NOTES

Should you receive any error messages when installing then cancel the install

Go to 'Control Panel' and remove MySQL

Before reinstalling shut down & restart then close all programs, including Anti Virus and reinstall.

If problem persists, more likely with 64 bit install, try downloading the current development release and installing.

Help can also be found at http://www.mysql.com/

NOTE: This drove me nuts for a while creating all sorts of errors in php code I was using

For some reason Microsoft thought we all required Military grade security and enabled 'Strict Mode' by default in MySQL.

This would only be required by securty & government agencies, eg my ISP disable on their server.

You can surf around on Google to read up on it & the various complex methods to disable it or keep reading.

To disable Strict Mode the easy way

Open your my.ini file

located at C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.5\my.ini in your text editor (eg notepad)

Use control F (push Ctrl & F keys on keyboard together) and search for 'Strict'

locate this

# Set the SQL mode to strict
sql-mode="STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER,NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"

Change to this

# Set the SQL mode to strict
#sql-mode="STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER,NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"

or you can delete these lines altogether

# Set the SQL mode to strict
sql-mode="STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER,NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"

by placing the hash (#) in front it disables Strict Mode

I recommend the (#) method so the lines are still there if you ever need enable 'Strict Mode' again (if you become a high security programmer!)

Then simply save the file in it's original location (eg click File then 'Save').

Mission Complete!!!

The next logical step is to install phpMyAdmin as a graphical front end - see link below.

source : http://www.landpro.com.au/Windows_7_Install_MySQL.php

Install IIS 7.5 PHP & FastCGI for PHP on Windows 7

Why install IIS?

Obviously you want to design web sites on your local computer and test them before uploading to your web server.

Why install FastCGI and not ISAPI?

Up until php version 5.3 most web developers using php installed ISAPI
From php version 5.3 on ISAPI is not longer supported.
The alternative is to use FastCGI
Although there are many web sites complaining about this change ISAPI works well for a website with 0-20 users,
however FastCGI runs much faster under a heavy user load and equally as well with smaller loads.

This guide has been updated and rewritten as the easiest way to successfully Configure IIS 7.5 to work with FastCGI and PHP on Windows 7 is to use

Microsoft Web Platform Installer 2.0 from http://www.microsoft.com/web/Downloads/platform.aspx

Why?

The installer does all the hard work

No more downloading PHP then configuring the php.ini file

No more going into your Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager and adding a Handler Mapping FastCGI Module

No more going into your System Properties and setting up your Environmental Variables

No more spending endless hours surfing around looking for solutions that help you get it all working (it rarely happens first time)

Microsoft have done all the hard time consuming work for a change - miracles do happen.

NOTE: This install was completed on Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit and works for 32 bit systems.

STEP 1

Open the site and click on Download It Now

Download it to your chosen folder

Step 2

Open the folder you downloaded to & double click wpilauncher

Step 3

Click Run

Step 4

Wait

Step 5

Select to programs you wish to install

In this case click on Web Platform in left column

Go to Frameworks and Runtimes then click Customize

 

Step 6

Now just tick the boxes under PHP

Click Install

Step 7

Now wait while Web Platform Installation downloads, installs & configures your files

Step 8

Success! - click Finish

Step 9

Now to check the install - go Start then Run

If Run does not appear on menu simply type Run in 'Search progams and files' box

Step 10

Type cmd

Step 11

The screen below appears - after C:\Users\User> type cd c:\PHP

Hit 'Enter' on keyboard

Step 12

After c:\PHP> type PHP -info

Hit 'Enter' on keyboard

Watch the screen

Step 13

The screen below is the bottom of the file

Step 14

Next test

Open Notepad and type <?php phpinfo();?>

Step 15

Save (using Save As...) the file in C:\inetpub\wwwroot as info.php

Step 16

Save php.info file here

Step 17

Close open folders

Open browser and type http://localhost/info.php

The file below should come up on the screen.

Success!

Note: This screen can provide a lot of information about your setup that may come in handy in the future.

Congratulations! - you have now Installed, Configured & Tested IIS 7.5 & PHP & FastCGI

The next step is using databases such as MySQL and Interfacing it with PHPMyAdmin, links below

NOTE: This installation does NOT enable mcrypt by default - see link below

In PHPMyAdmin you will receive the following

PHPMyAdmin Error "Cannot load mcrypt extension. Please check your PHP configuration"

source : http://www.landpro.com.au/Windows_7_Install_IIS_7_&_PHP_&_FastCGI.php

show hidden file and folder in windows server 2008

-> Mycomputer 
-> click tap organize 
-> select folder and search option 
-> click on the "view" tab and check "show hidden files and folders" that should then show the folder you are looking for. Hope this helps.