How to ‘Unblock’ multiple files at a time with PowerShell

How to ‘Unblock’ multiple files at a time with PowerShell

2016-06-24 by Jason

If you have been frustrated by the warning message on Windows computers “This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer.”, you are not alone. The warning might pop up when you try to open a file that you downloaded from the Internet. It can cause a decent amount of frustration because of the way it is implemented.

If you right-click on a single file and choose Properties, you can see the Security section at the bottom of the window.

“This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer.”

You can check the box (in Windows 10) or click the Unblock button (in Windows 7/8) to unblock the file. However, if you have multiple files, you cannot select more than one and view the properties to unblock all of the files at once. Instead, you will have to check each file separately and unblock them one at a time. One tip was to always unblock a zip file before extracting it for this reason.

You can disable the setting through Group Policy by enabling the setting ‘Do not preserve zone information in file attachments’ found under User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Attachment Manager. I don’t recommend this as I prefer to keep security warnings in place. I previously dealt with this several years ago when a script had problems running a blocked file where the solution was to add a UNC path of the file to the Trusted Sites Intranet zone.

Microsoft has a command line utility called ‘streams’ that you can download and tell it to remove the NTFS-attached data stream that identifies a file as downloaded from the Internet. The command for this is streams -s -d [directory path]. Nirsoft also has a utility called Alternate Data Streams with similar functionality.

Rather than having to download a separate executable, there is native PowerShell functionality that will allow us to unblock multiple files at a time. The command is:

dir -Path [directory path] -Recurse | Unblock-File

This command will recurse through a directory and all sub-folders and unblock them. If you have a few files that you trust but were downloaded from the Internet, you can quickly get them all by sticking them in a folder and running that PowerShell command on them to have the stream property removed. It certainly beats the weird issues that can be caused by this setting and weird workarounds to zip the files up, unblock the zip and then extracting the files again.

Filed Under: Tech SolutionsTagged With: windows

How To View Full Size Instagram Photos And Profile Picture

Did you know that the pictures uploaded on Instagram profile are not shown in the original size? Yes, the pixels of the photos are reduced! That said, there’s a way to view full size Instagram photos which we have outlined in this article. Apart from that, if you are looking to view someone’s Instagram full size profile picture then we got you covered as well. You achieve that online from your PC, Mac, Android, iOS browser or using apps.

The images you see in your news feed or on your or someone else’s profile are resized. So, here we are with a method that will help you to view anyone’s full size Instagram photos which are otherwise scaled down.

You can skip to methods later in the article if you are only interested in viewing profile picture.

View Full Size Instagram Post Photos

Follow the steps mentioned below to view the uploaded photos in original size on Instagram.

1. Visit Instagram website from any browser. Log in using your credentials if not already done.

2. Now, go the profile of the user whose picture you want to see in full size. Click on the desired photo.

Note: You won’t be able to click on a photo from the news feed. So, make sure you are on the profile page.

3. After clicking on the photo, the URL in the address will have something like ?taken-by=gesturum at the end where gesturum is the username of the profile. So, in your case, it will be different. You need to remove this part and replace it with media/?size=l

For instance, if the original URL is –

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl-n_4Wn_ij/?taken-by=username

then it will become –

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl-n_4Wn_ij/media/?size=l

4. After modifying the URL hit Enter.

Woah! You will be redirected to the full-size version of the image. Apart from this, you can also view the medium size and thumbnail version of the photo as well.

In order to view medium or thumbnail version use media/?size=m and media/?size=t respectively. Here m stands for Medium and t stands for thumbnail of course.

If you wish you can also save the picture by right clicking and selecting Save Image As…

This was all about viewing anyone’s full-size photos on Instagram. We hope that you liked the trick and found it useful. As the above method will only allow you to see photos uploaded as posts in original size so now, let’s get to profile pictures.

See Instagram Profile Picture In Full Size

You cannot view someone’s profile picture in full size on Instagram. You can only see the cropped circular version. However, this is going to change for you after you go through the methods below. Not only view but you can also download the large-sized profile picture if desired.

Here are different methods depending on the device you wish to use.

PC/Mac Or Smartphone Browser

If you don’t want to install an additional app on your phone or wish to use a computer then go for this method.

1. Open Instagram website on your device web browser. I will be using Chrome browser for this guide.

There is no requirement to log into Instagram in order to view anyone’s profile picture. But you can if you want to.

2. You can navigate to the desired Instagram profile either by using their post on your news feed or by searching their name and get/copy their username.

3. Once you have the username of the desired Instagram user go the Instagram Profile Picture Downloader – online tool.

4.  On the tool’s website, type or paste the username of the person whose profile photo you wish to view/save that you got above in step 2 in the ‘Enter Instagram Username‘ text field and click Submit.

5. The tool will fetch the profile picture in high resolution from the username and show it you in a couple of seconds. After that, you will have options to View and Downloadthe Instagram profile picture in Full size.

Similarly, you can enter usernames of other desired profiles to view their original large size profile picture. The tool works perfectly for all the accounts – private included, whether you follow them or not.

Note: If you don’t get the profile picture then it was originally uploaded in low resolution(small size). In other terms, it simply means that the user has not uploaded a larger size image.

Android

1. Get the Instagram username of the desired person and download an app – Download Instant DP (Full HD) available on Google Play Store.

2. On opening the app you will see an input box to enter the Instagram username. Enter the username and tap on the search icon.

3. It will take a few seconds to fetch the users matching that username. Wait for it and select the desired person when it shows the related users.

4. To view the profile picture in full-size, tap on the profile picture thumbnail. In order to save it, you can use the download icon at the bottom right. Doing this will download the profile picture in the gallery inside its own album.

This app also shows you your search history which you can delete if you wish.

Also Read: 10 Best Truth Or Dare Apps

iPhone/iPad

The procedure is the same as Android app mentioned above and does not require any login.

iPhone/iPad users can download Qeek for Instagram app from this link to view the full-size profile picture. After the app is installed open it and type the username of the desired Instagram user whose profile picture you want to see and download. A drop-down list will appear, select the desired person.

After that, simply tap on the fetched profile photo or tap on Fullscreen.

This will show you the profile picture in high resolution. Thereafter you can even zoom the profile picture by up to 800%. The app doesn’t have any inbuilt download option but you can always open the profile picture in full size and take the screenshot.

It is also possible to visit the profile of Instagram user right from inside the app.

Wrap Up

These were several ways to view Instagram full-size photos – the size in which they were actually uploaded to Instagram. Be it normal posts or profile picture you can use them to satisfy your needs. On top of that, you have the luxury to do so on any device – Android, iPhone PC or Mac.

Do share it with your friends and help them to view original size photos too. If you face any issues then feel free to drop a line in the comments below.

Battlestar Galactica Viewing Order

The ultimate viewing order for Battlestar Galactica!

With so many off-shoots, extended episodes, webisodes, one-off movies and weird bits and pieces it's very hard for a new Battlestar Galactica fan to know exactly what order to watch everything in.

That's why, with the help of the kind folks at the Home Theater Forum, I decided to piece together a recommended viewing order for the entire series. But not just that, I've put together information on which versions of episodes you should watch and where you can find them, too. This really is the ultimate guide! (At least, it should be.)

I hope you find it useful, and if you do think I've missed something, please leave a comment and let me know!

Note: I heartily recommend watching the deleted scenes featured on your DVDs/Blurays after watching each episode. Some scenes (especially in Season 4, in my opinion) add a lot to the story and character's motivations. If you're ever confused as to why a character should suddenly do something, you may find your answer on the cutting room floor.

Let's begin:

The Miniseries

• Night 1
• Night 2

Season 1

• 1.01 33
• 1.02 Water
• 1.03 Bastille Day
• 1.04 Act of Contrition
• 1.05 You Can't Go Home Again
• 1.06 Litmus
• 1.07 Six Degrees of Separation
• 1.08 Flesh and Bone
• 1.09 Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down
• 1.10 The Hand of God
• 1.11 Colonial Day
• 1.12 Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I
• 1.13 Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II

Season 2

• 2.01 Scattered
• 2.02 Valley of Darkness
• 2.03 Fragged
• 2.04 Resistance
• 2.05 The Farm
• 2.06 Home, Part I
• 2.07 Home, Part II
• 2.08 Final Cut
• 2.09 Flight of the Phoenix
• 2.10 Pegasus (56 minute extended version)
• 2.11 Resurrection Ship, Part I
• 2.12 Resurrection Ship, Part II
• 2.13 Epiphanies
• 2.14 Black Market
• 2.15 Scar
• 2.16 Sacrifice
• 2.17 The Captain's Hand

Razor (101 minute extended version - not the 81 minute broadcast version)
TV movie. If you have this on DVD or Bluray, you have the extended version.

Important note: This was originally broadcast just before Season 4, but chronologically it fits here, telling more of the Pegasus's story. Some people argue it's better to watch after Season 3, as originally broadcast, but it makes most sense to watch it here.

The reason that the placement of Razor is a hotly contested issue among BSG fans is because of a bit of dialogue at the very end (in the last 10 minutes) which sets the tone for Season 4 (barely even a spoiler). Everything else in this TV movie is not a spoiler.

So why place it here, and not where it was originally broadcast, if there's any sort of issue? Because, chronologically, the story is set here, and by the time you reach the end of Season 3, the story on the Pegasus will feel like ancient history. Indeed, that was the complaint echoed around the internet from fans after Razor originally aired -- it had nothing to do with what was going on in the story at that time.

As a result of this, most fans agree it's better to watch Razor here. In doing so, you'll appreciate the story more and it will have greater emotionally resonance. In short: I highly recommend that you follow my advice and watch it here.

There is one small caveat, however: In order to deal with the above dialogue issue, and so not to unintentionally alter the tone of Season 3, I have two, very specific instructions that I recommend that you follow for your absolute optimum enjoyment.

I will try not to spoil anything with these instructions, so pay attention. You need to press MUTE on your TV (and/or turn off any subtitles) in the following moments. These moments occur in the last 10 minutes of the story, so you can relax and enjoy the first 90 mins before you need to worry.

Press MUTE when:

1. The hybrid touches Shaw. (You can unmute as soon as the hybrid lets go.)

and shortly afterwards:

2. When Red One contacts Pegasus. (You will literally hear the dialogue, "This is Red One come in" and see Pegasus respond -- mute before Red One can give their message to Pegasus.) You can unmute when you see Red One on your screen -- actually before that, but there's no other visual clue I can give you.

3. When Starbuck is talking to Lee, mute after Lee says, "Well, ever think you might deserve it?". You can unmute when she turns to leave.

That's it! That's all you have to worry about. A couple of very small moments, and even if you don't unmute it, it's not a huge spoiler, it just unintentionally alters the tone of Season 3 if you don't, so do try your best to follow my instructions.

• Optional: Razor Flashbacks
  
  Note: This was billed as a "seven episode web series", but really they are just deleted scenes from the shorter broadcast version of Razor. In fact, most of these scenes are now reintegrated into the extended version of Razor (the one on DVD and Bluray), making what's left even more unessential.
  
  They are mentioned here only for the sake of completeness, and because they're often a source of confusion. Don't worry, they are far from necessary. The only "episodes" not reintegrated are 1, 2 and some parts of 7, so they're the only ones to note.
  
  All 7 of these "episodes" were originally released online before Razor was broadcast, and I'd recommend watching 1 and 2 beforehand, and 7 afterwards. They don't really add much to the story, though.


• 2.18 Downloaded
• 2.19 Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I
• 2.20 Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II

The Resistance

A 10 episode web-based series bridging seasons 2 and 3. (25 mins.)

This should be included on your DVDs/Blurays.

Season 3

• 3.01 Occupation
• 3.02 Precipice
• 3.03 Exodus, Part I
• 3.04 Exodus, Part II
• 3.05 Collaborators
• 3.06 Torn
• 3.07 A Measure of Salvation
• 3.08 Hero
• 3.09 Unfinished Business (70 minute extended version - Note: Not included on Region 2 DVDs, but is included on all Blu-ray releases.)
• 3.10 The Passage
• 3.11 The Eye of Jupiter
• 3.12 Rapture
• 3.13 Taking a Break From All Your Worries
• 3.14 The Woman King
• 3.15 A Day in the Life
• 3.16 Dirty Hands
• 3.17 Maelstrom
• 3.18 The Son Also Rises
• 3.19 Crossroads, Part I
• 3.20 Crossroads, Part II

Razor: Yes, this again. (Well this is where Razor was originally broadcast, after all.) Remember the last 10 minutes where I told you to MUTE two small moments? Well, guess what, now is when you get to go back and hear what was said. Watch the last 10 minutes of Razor here.

Season 4

• 4.01 He That Believeth In Me
• 4.02 Six of One
• 4.03 The Ties That Bind
• 4.04 Escape Velocity
• 4.05 The Road Less Traveled
• 4.06 Faith
• 4.07 Guess What's Coming to Dinner?
• 4.08 Sine Qua Non
• 4.09 The Hub
• 4.10 Revelations

Season 4 Continued (aka "Season 4.5" or "The Final Season")

• 4.11 Sometimes a Great Notion

The Face of the Enemy

A 10 episode web-based series (although it plays together like an intense mini-episode). (36 mins.)

These episodes have not been included on any DVD or Blu-ray releases -- except for the Japanese Blu-ray release of Season 4. A real pain.

They are not presently available anywhere else in the world to my knowledge, but I highly recommended you do your best to find them. Not only were they hugely enjoyable, but they explain a few important things that set up the next episode.

Update: You can watch the entire webseries online here. (Thanks to an anonymous reader for the tipoff.)

• 4.12 A Disquiet Follows My Soul (53 minute extended version - only on Bluray releases)
• 4.13 The Oath
• 4.14 Blood on the Scales
• 4.15 No Exit

The Plan (DVD/Bluray movie)
A stand-alone movie that shows (approximately) the first two seasons from the Cylons' perspective. (You finally get to see "The Plan", mentioned all those times in the opening sequence!) Although The Plan was originally released after the show had finished, it is generally agreed that it should be watched here, so that everything is all tied up when you do reach the end.

• 4.16 Deadlock
• 4.17 Someone to Watch Over Me
• 4.18 Islanded In a Stream of Stars (62 minute extended version - only on BluRay releases and Region 1 DVDs)
• 4.19 Daybreak (150 minute extended version - only on BluRay releases and Region 1 DVDs)

The Plan : This is where this DVD/Bluray movie was originally released (after the show had finished). It seems universally agreed that it's preferable to watch this after No Exit, instead of after you've finished the entire series, but there's no harm in waiting until now.

Caprica
An entire TV series set 58 years before the events of Battlestar Galactica, and revealing the events surrounding the creation of the Cylons. (Although it's worth noting that you don't have to have seen BSG to watch Caprica... and some people have decided to watch this series first, even though it was produced after BSG had finished.)

• 1.01 Pilot
• 1.02 Rebirth
• 1.03 Reins of a Waterfall
• 1.04 Gravedancing
• 1.05 There Is Another Sky
• 1.06 Know Thy Enemy
• 1.07 The Imperfections of Memory
• 1.08 Ghosts in the Machine
• 1.09 End of the Line
• 1.10 Unvanquished
• 1.11 Retribution
• 1.12 Things We Lock Away
• 1.13 False Labor
• 1.14 Blowback
• 1.15 The Dirteaters
• 1.16 The Heavens Will Rise
• 1.17 Here Be Dragons
• 1.18 Apotheosis

Blood and Chrome
This was potentially a whole new show at one stage, but it appears to be now just a stand-alone TV movie. The story follows the exploits of a young William Adama during the First Cylon War, and is considered a sequel to Caprica and a prequel to Battlestar Galactica.

After disappearing off the radar for a long time (possibly indicating that it wasn't up to the standards set by BSG), the story was finally been release for viewing on Machninima.com in 10 episodes. Then it was released on DVD/Bluray as a movie in a rated and unrated form. 

I've been told there are no BSG spoilers, so you can watch this anytime you want.

And so ends the incredible saga of the reboot of Battlestar Galactica, I hope you've enjoyed the journey.

Further reading
Well not quite "reading", but if you're a fan you may enjoy the following:

Ron Moore's Battlestar Galactica podcast is nothing short of incredible, and highly recommended for fans and wannabe TV writers. As he goes through each episode, I believe you can watch the show and listen to his comments without fear of spoilers.

You can download and read (see, there is some reading) the show's original "Bible" (contains major spoilers, natch).

And for some amusement, I recommend reading the original reaction to the show on the Home Theater Forum (no real spoilers). Next time you see some fans getting bent out of shape over something they haven't watched yet, remember this! :)

INTERNET How To Find Unprotected Website Directories & Get “Interesting” Files

-inurl(html|htm|php) intitle:”index of” +”last modified” +”parent directory” +description +size

Windows 10 Emoji Keyboard Shortcut

Press WinKey + period (.) or WinKey + semicolon (;) to make the menu pop up. You can also press Tab/Shift+Tab to switch categories, and switch skin colors with the button on the top right of the panel.

Get Client's IP Address from Javascript...and more

Obtaining Visitor's IP Address in Javascript

This API permits you to set the Javascript Variable of your choice with the public IP address
of the system making the call.

The call returns a piece of Javascript Code with the IP address of the caller in either IPv4 or IPv6 format, depending on your request's protocol.

The Variable Name is defined through the 'var' parameter.

Syntax :

<script type="text/javascript" src="https://l2.io/ip.js?var=myip"></script>

Set javascript variable "myip" to client's IP address
IPv4 32-bit (four-byte) format, e.g. myip = "195.80.156.70";
IPv6 128-bit format, e.g. myip = "2a00:1b11:115:102:195:80:156:70";

If your script only supports IPv4 answers, you may want to use the following call instead :

Syntax : 

<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.l2.io/ip.js?var=myip"></script>

Set javascript variable "myip" to client's IP address
IPv4 32-bit (four-byte) format, e.g. myip = "195.80.156.70";

The following lines could be inserted into your HTML page.

<script type="text/javascript">  var userip;</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://l2.io/ip.js?var=userip"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">  document.write("Your IP is :", userip);</script>

Syntax : 

<script type="text/javascript" src="https://l2.io/ip.js"></script>

Display Client's IP address in your HTML page using javascript
--> document.write('x.x.x.x');

Notepad++ remove duplicates, remove blank lines and sort data in one operation

Notepad++ with the TextFX plugin makes it quick and easy to remove duplicates, remove blank lines and sort data in one operation. This is a typical case where Excel does the job, but as I always have Notepad++ open it is fast and easy to get the results I want in just a few seconds.

Remove duplicates, remove blank lines and sort data in one operation

1. Paste the text into Notepad++ (CTRL+V). As you can see, there were 473 lines and half of them were blank.

2. Mark all the text (CTRL+A). Click TextFX → Click TextFX Tools → Check +Sort outputs only UNIQUE (at column) lines (if not already checked).

3. Click TextFX → Click TextFX Tools → Click Sort lines case insensitive (at column)

4. Duplicates and blank lines have been removed and the data has been sorted alphabetically. (The first line that may appear empty contains a space, which is regarded as a character and is included in the list of unique data.)

This is a handy feature somewhat hidden away in the menu, and it has saved me a lot of time already.