Uncovering Windows 7's 'GodMode'
Summary
Windows enthusiasts are excited over the discovery of a hidden "GodMode" feature that lets users access all of the operating system's control panels from within a single folder.
Topics
Although its name suggests perhaps even grander capabilities, Windows enthusiasts are excited over the discovery of a hidden "GodMode" feature that lets users access all of the operating system's control panels from within a single folder.
To enter "GodMode," one need only create a new folder and then rename the folder to the following:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Users are able to have a single place to do everything from changing the look of the mouse pointer to making a new hard-drive partition.
The trick is also said to work in Windows Vista, although some are warning that although it works fine in 32-bit versions of Vista, it can cause 64-bit versions of that operating system to crash.
For more, read "Understanding Windows 7's 'GodMode'" from CNET News.
Just In
First, this is not an advertised feature of Windows 7; this is called a "hack", which you might know if you actually work with computers. Second, it says "may cause 64 bit versions of that operating system (Vista) to crash". Gee, we have here a hack and the warning that it may not work properly on certain versions of an earlier OS. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence would understand the caveats mentioned; you are either being intentionally obtuse or have no business being on a computer, much less commenting on an OS.
It's built into the OS, thus it's not a hack it's a backdoor provided by the vendor.
"which you might know if you actually work with computers"
"which you might know if you actually work with computers"
It's an Easter Egg.
Ed Bott said so on his own site..
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=2724
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=2724
It is, in reality, SANTA CLAUS!
No surprise there too.
But then again those that can, do. Those that can't, troll"
I guess you're one who "can't"
I guess you're one who "can't"
Not one, we already have two fanbois overreacting.
And we just started.
Update : Now there's 3 of them, two very annoyed overreacting windoze fanbois posted above and another one posted just below.
Check back often for updates. Updates now interrupted. Due to excessive fanboi demand this service needs to be restructured and scaled up. Please recheck in 4 hours.
And we just started.
Update : Now there's 3 of them, two very annoyed overreacting windoze fanbois posted above and another one posted just below.
Check back often for updates. Updates now interrupted. Due to excessive fanboi demand this service needs to be restructured and scaled up. Please recheck in 4 hours.
just trying to keep up with you.
and let him catch up with us. But we try not to tease people like him too much, it's bad for their developement!
and ended up with a mental idiot telling us what linux can't handle:
"updates now interrupted"..."due to excessive demand this service needs to be restructured and scaled up"..."please recheck in 4 hours"
Hmmm, sounds alot like linux, and their propeller head fanbois.
go figure
"updates now interrupted"..."due to excessive demand this service needs to be restructured and scaled up"..."please recheck in 4 hours"
Hmmm, sounds alot like linux, and their propeller head fanbois.
go figure
the mental institute where he is at somehow let him on the internet.
The MENTAL institution IS the Internet!
Its Linux users who usually overreact, let me prove my point.
Linux sucks, nobody cares about a stupid penguin system for geeks without a social life.
Thats what I think, said on all purpose, find your way.
Linux sucks, nobody cares about a stupid penguin system for geeks without a social life.
Thats what I think, said on all purpose, find your way.
Here, have some attention. Feel better?
:(){ :|:& };:
May cause certain variants of Unix/Bash to freeze
your system.
May cause certain variants of Unix/Bash to freeze
your system.
Such an exciting little command; so memorable, so much like the commands I type every single day...
So I ran it, and (surprise!) it was a fork bomb. But it didn't even come close to freezing my system. Can it be that Fedora has set the user resource limits correctly so that fork bombs just fizzle out, like that one did? Could be!
Honey, that anti-Linux script you're reading from is seriously out-of-date.
So I ran it, and (surprise!) it was a fork bomb. But it didn't even come close to freezing my system. Can it be that Fedora has set the user resource limits correctly so that fork bombs just fizzle out, like that one did? Could be!
Honey, that anti-Linux script you're reading from is seriously out-of-date.
The OP said "certain variants", your reply doesn't even come close to covering all of them.
I countered that FUD with a concrete fact. And a fact that I could test personally, no less.
Or maybe Honey would like to specify which "certain variants" he actually was talking about? Or perhaps you would, rtk? Can you name a single modern Linux distribution whose out-of-the-box reaction to Honey's fork-bomb is a system freeze?
Or maybe Honey would like to specify which "certain variants" he actually was talking about? Or perhaps you would, rtk? Can you name a single modern Linux distribution whose out-of-the-box reaction to Honey's fork-bomb is a system freeze?
Alt + SysRq + REISUB takes care of it.
And no freeze on any Linux system.
And no freeze on any Linux system.
That solution is a bit too heavy-handed for my taste, particularly if the "bomb" is really no more than a damp squib.
You may boot your system, but no way can you keep
up with the pace in which this forkbomb spawns new
processes.
Stop lying.
up with the pace in which this forkbomb spawns new
processes.
Stop lying.
Just said
[1] 5712
And that was it. No response. Ate up the CPU
and completely froze up.
Hit by this and you have to reboot your boxen.
Bad. Bad Linux.
Not really. Point is the anti-Windows zealots
here immediately ceased on the "may crash Vista
x64" to somehow indict Windows.
All OSes have something which will crash them.
This forkbomb takes down Ubuntu - which haven't
set sensible constraints on number of processes
per user.
[1] 5712
And that was it. No response. Ate up the CPU
and completely froze up.
Hit by this and you have to reboot your boxen.
Bad. Bad Linux.
Not really. Point is the anti-Windows zealots
here immediately ceased on the "may crash Vista
x64" to somehow indict Windows.
All OSes have something which will crash them.
This forkbomb takes down Ubuntu - which haven't
set sensible constraints on number of processes
per user.
I've seen a fork-bomb take down a Solaris box in a similar fashion. So can you post the output of "ulimit -a" on your Ubuntu box, please?
core file size (blocks, -c) 0
data seg size (kbytes, -d) unlimited
scheduling priority (-e) 20
file size (blocks, -f) unlimited
pending signals (-i) 16382
max locked memory (kbytes, -l) 64
max memory size (kbytes, -m) unlimited
open files (-n) 1024
pipe size (512 bytes, -p) 8
POSIX message queues (bytes, -q) 819200
real-time priority (-r) 0
stack size (kbytes, -s) 8192
cpu time (seconds, -t) unlimited
max user processes (-u) unlimited
virtual memory (kbytes, -v) unlimited
file locks (-x) unlimited
This is a shiny new Ubuntu 9.10. Go figure.
As I said: When hacking around we can always find ways to make a system unstable or outright freeze up. It was childish (but all too predictable) of the anti-Windows-zealots to home in on the "may crash Vista x64".
data seg size (kbytes, -d) unlimited
scheduling priority (-e) 20
file size (blocks, -f) unlimited
pending signals (-i) 16382
max locked memory (kbytes, -l) 64
max memory size (kbytes, -m) unlimited
open files (-n) 1024
pipe size (512 bytes, -p) 8
POSIX message queues (bytes, -q) 819200
real-time priority (-r) 0
stack size (kbytes, -s) 8192
cpu time (seconds, -t) unlimited
max user processes (-u) unlimited
virtual memory (kbytes, -v) unlimited
file locks (-x) unlimited
This is a shiny new Ubuntu 9.10. Go figure.
As I said: When hacking around we can always find ways to make a system unstable or outright freeze up. It was childish (but all too predictable) of the anti-Windows-zealots to home in on the "may crash Vista x64".
Which hasn't been set. Fedora sets it to 1024, which contains the fork bomb quite nicely.
Well, that's easily fixed. I'll escalate that with Ubuntu. Thanks, Honey.
Well, that's easily fixed. I'll escalate that with Ubuntu. Thanks, Honey.
[My original message seems to have disappeared - I can't think of the decent reason why.]
A full explanation of fork-bombs (including Honeymonster's example) can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_bomb
They're not merely a UNIX/Linux problem, either. For example, here are two "batch file" fork bombs for Windows:
%0|%0
or:
:s
start %0
goto :s
Since we've already tested Fedora and Ubuntu, could someone report how either Vista or Windows7 react to these, please?
A full explanation of fork-bombs (including Honeymonster's example) can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_bomb
They're not merely a UNIX/Linux problem, either. For example, here are two "batch file" fork bombs for Windows:
%0|%0
or:
:s
start %0
goto :s
Since we've already tested Fedora and Ubuntu, could someone report how either Vista or Windows7 react to these, please?
I want my home PC to do what I tell it too, I
don't care if it crashes the system, it had better
try!
don't care if it crashes the system, it had better
try!
@zogg, I tried your post. It freezed my Win7. Nice infinite loop there.
First it printed the command a couple of times in the command prompt then opens a couple of cmd windows again, and the last has a couple of texts in command prompt stating, "The process tried to write to nonexistent pipe".
Then just before freezing a msgbox pops:
cmd.exe Application Error
red(X) The application was unable to start correctly (0xC0000142). Click OK to close the application.
but unable to click OK and respond as the system already freezed. And I need to restart, not possible with ctrl alt del, only by power switch.
Win 7 64bit
First it printed the command a couple of times in the command prompt then opens a couple of cmd windows again, and the last has a couple of texts in command prompt stating, "The process tried to write to nonexistent pipe".
Then just before freezing a msgbox pops:
cmd.exe Application Error
red(X) The application was unable to start correctly (0xC0000142). Click OK to close the application.
but unable to click OK and respond as the system already freezed. And I need to restart, not possible with ctrl alt del, only by power switch.
Win 7 64bit
But not Fedora. At least the Linux kernel has a mechanism for containing them, though. (Even if some distros don't enable it.)
Thanks for clearing that up, Martmarty.
Thanks for clearing that up, Martmarty.
It'll kill Mandriva 2010, too. So the point is Linux gives you the power to do ANYTHING to your system. MS is "safe" because 99% of the power to control everything is removed from even the admin user?
MS is like gun control. Linux is freedom. In freedom you have the freedom to even win the Darwin award!
http://www.darwinawards.com/
MS is like gun control. Linux is freedom. In freedom you have the freedom to even win the Darwin award!
http://www.darwinawards.com/
# Default limit for number of user's processes to prevent
# accidental fork bombs.
Note the word "accidental"? Anyone wanting to unleash a fork-bomb deliberately would just remove the limit again.
# accidental fork bombs.
Note the word "accidental"? Anyone wanting to unleash a fork-bomb deliberately would just remove the limit again.
no freeze on any Linux system.
Alt + SysRq + REISUB takes care of it.
Alt + SysRq + REISUB takes care of it.
That will kill anything, not just the forkbomb.
But I suppose that's the Linux way? Just reboot?
But I suppose that's the Linux way? Just reboot?
and the 3 Finger Salute ("Thank you, Mr. Gates, may I have another?") which we do so often.
so don't apologize...those of us that are socially integrated understand that every party has at least that one person that isn't quite all there.
For PCs that are never exposed to the internet. Security on those machines just gets in the way.
Though now I am a Mac person, in a past life worked corporate IT and at
that time a major Windows fanboy, this 'GodMode' sounds interesting.
I'll pass it along to my Windows friends. That technique, hack, may be of
benefit for them.
that time a major Windows fanboy, this 'GodMode' sounds interesting.
I'll pass it along to my Windows friends. That technique, hack, may be of
benefit for them.
"back door" or "easter egg" is more appropriate.
I imagine MS would consider it an "undocumented" mode/feature that is liable/likely to go away.
Creating a special name to access a hidden feature IS NOT HACKING. Nothing in the OS is modified. The folder name is sophisticated enough to not be accidental.
I imagine MS would consider it an "undocumented" mode/feature that is liable/likely to go away.
Creating a special name to access a hidden feature IS NOT HACKING. Nothing in the OS is modified. The folder name is sophisticated enough to not be accidental.
.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} id that isn't accidental. You can put any valid folder name in front and have the same effect.
I always wonder how people find this stuff?
I always wonder how people find this stuff?
There have been other easter eggs in previous MS products, though this is the first I've heard of that actually is of use. Just google Windows Easter Egg for full details how to find them all.
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
The "title.wma" file hidden in
C:/WINDOWS/system32/oobe/images/title.wma
sounds like some guys in Redmond spent a lot of time with Pee Wee Herman and Elvis Crespo.
C:/WINDOWS/system32/oobe/images/title.wma
sounds like some guys in Redmond spent a lot of time with Pee Wee Herman and Elvis Crespo.
Every OS has little nuggets tucked away. You just have to know where to find them or spend time really learning your OS of choice to discover them or wait for others to do the work then complain.
You can find these using search.
You can access this by going to the control panels / managment consoles directly.
You can find these using the command line. Just search for .CPL and .MSC files.
Evey managment object in any OS has a file or folder where it is located.
If you want that stuff on your desktop, then find it and put it there.
This is nothing new. It is just creating a short folder to known already used stuff.
This has been around since Windows 95.
If you have an old copy still running live on in a VM just do a search for tips.txt.
Or just go to the support article here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/135893
[Special Folders]
You can put the contents of Control Panel or other special folders on your Start menu (or in any folder). Create a folder by clicking New on the File menu, and then clicking Folder. Then, paste in the appropriate name as shown below:
For Use This Name
----------------------------------------------
Control Panel Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
Dial Up Network Dial Up Net.{992CFFA0-F557-101A-88EC-00DD010CCC48}
Printers Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
Getting at these nuggets are documented, some are not. People are always looking for the so called 'Easter Eggs' in software or discovering new ways of doing just about anything.
Spending anytime on sites lke LifeHacker...
http://lifehacker.com/5386953/lifehackers-complete-guide-to-windows-7
or
Windows Super Site http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_pcsafeguard.asp..
Would give you more tips than you could or woudl ever use or need.
There is nothing G.O.D about any of this and you acn name the folder whatever you like.
If you are not in the local administrators group (by default you woudl be on a new installation), most of these will not work for you, unless you have a seperate account in the local administrators group that you can elevate to.
This provides you no more or no less access to stuff on your computer than you would normally have. The G.O.D. in the title is just click bait.
I have used this trick for years without any issues.
Just becasue the someone casued their system to puke using some trick that they obviously did not understand or implement properly or follow the provided instruction and heed the warnings, does not make it bad, wrong or inconsistant. It just means the person who did it should not have anyway, because if they had the skills (search using you search engine of choice), they woudl have already known what they needed to know to do this sort of thing and anything else for that matter.
You can find these using search.
You can access this by going to the control panels / managment consoles directly.
You can find these using the command line. Just search for .CPL and .MSC files.
Evey managment object in any OS has a file or folder where it is located.
If you want that stuff on your desktop, then find it and put it there.
This is nothing new. It is just creating a short folder to known already used stuff.
This has been around since Windows 95.
If you have an old copy still running live on in a VM just do a search for tips.txt.
Or just go to the support article here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/135893
[Special Folders]
You can put the contents of Control Panel or other special folders on your Start menu (or in any folder). Create a folder by clicking New on the File menu, and then clicking Folder. Then, paste in the appropriate name as shown below:
For Use This Name
----------------------------------------------
Control Panel Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
Dial Up Network Dial Up Net.{992CFFA0-F557-101A-88EC-00DD010CCC48}
Printers Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
Getting at these nuggets are documented, some are not. People are always looking for the so called 'Easter Eggs' in software or discovering new ways of doing just about anything.
Spending anytime on sites lke LifeHacker...
http://lifehacker.com/5386953/lifehackers-complete-guide-to-windows-7
or
Windows Super Site http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_pcsafeguard.asp..
Would give you more tips than you could or woudl ever use or need.
There is nothing G.O.D about any of this and you acn name the folder whatever you like.
If you are not in the local administrators group (by default you woudl be on a new installation), most of these will not work for you, unless you have a seperate account in the local administrators group that you can elevate to.
This provides you no more or no less access to stuff on your computer than you would normally have. The G.O.D. in the title is just click bait.
I have used this trick for years without any issues.
Just becasue the someone casued their system to puke using some trick that they obviously did not understand or implement properly or follow the provided instruction and heed the warnings, does not make it bad, wrong or inconsistant. It just means the person who did it should not have anyway, because if they had the skills (search using you search engine of choice), they woudl have already known what they needed to know to do this sort of thing and anything else for that matter.
You got that right!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/437967.stm
Sci/Tech
Windows 'back door' security alert
http://news.cnet.com/2100-1001-214387.html
Windows "back door" raises flags
http://gizmodo.com/5409420/microsoft-denies-programming-nsa+accessible-backdoors-into-windows-7
Microsoft Denies Programming NSA-Accessible Backdoors Into Windows 7
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/437967.stm
Sci/Tech
Windows 'back door' security alert
http://news.cnet.com/2100-1001-214387.html
Windows "back door" raises flags
http://gizmodo.com/5409420/microsoft-denies-programming-nsa+accessible-backdoors-into-windows-7
Microsoft Denies Programming NSA-Accessible Backdoors Into Windows 7
Hardly what I would call a God Mode. There are some interesting nuggets in this panel, but a lot of it is just controls that you can get to from the default control panel. So far I only found a couple that are not in the standard control, and even then they are interesting, but hardly anything to write home about.
This blog is perfect for anyone who want to know about this subject. Who knows how much its almost hard to argue with you. We are expecting the same best efforts from you later on as well.
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