Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

If you need a real linux shell on your Windows 10 system follow these steps

1. Ensure "Windows-Subsystem for Linux" is active on your machine with the following cmd in a admin power shell

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

2. Restart your machine if asked

3. Download the linux distribution of your choice via wget 

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://aka.ms/wsl-ubuntu-1604 -OutFile Ubuntu.appx –UseBasicParsing

or within you browser  

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/debian/9msvkqc78pk6?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

or even from the MS App Store. 

You'll find a list of distributions here 

• Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
• Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
• OpenSUSE Leap 15
• OpenSUSE Leap 42
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15
• Kali Linux
• Debian GNU/Linux
• Fedora Remix for WSL
• Pengwin
• Pengwin Enterprise
• Alpine WSL

4. Install distribution with

Add-AppxPackage .\Ubuntu.Appx

5. If you now search for Ubuntu in your start menu, you'll find your ready to rock linux console in windows

Password after standby Windows

Well one of the things which are really bugging me when I run Windows as a HTPC OS is the default setting for wake up after standby. The default will lock your machine, which is totally useless for an HTPC. To get rid of this just:

• Go to the Power Options (or I guess Energy Options in Vista or Win7)
  
• Search within the list for standby
  
• Select "Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby"

et voila

Password expired Windows 7

The default setting in Windows 7 for your password policies is an expiry time about 42 days. If you want to get rid of this just do

• Start->lusrmgr.msc
• Select your user and check "Password never expires"