Get the Most Out of Windows 7
These tips are provided as is with no warranty. Many tips
require editing the Windows registry. It is recommended you backup the registry before making any
changes.
General Facts for Windows 7
+ Windows 7 System Requirements
• 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
+ Add New User Account in Windows 7
To add a new user open Control Panel and under User Accounts and Family Safety.
Select Add or Remove User Accounts.
Select Create a new account.
Ttype in the name of the user and select the account type.
It is best to select a Standard User Account to prevent unauthorized system changes, delete other users important files, or change security settings.
+ Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
It is a good idea to create a system repair disk when you get a new computer with Windows 7 or upgrade from an earlier version of Windows. This will enable you to repair your computer or restore to an earlier time.
If you are having problems with your machine just pop in the recovery disc and boot from itthen select Windows Setup [EMS Enabled].
When the cd boots you will be presented with possible repair options.
Type system repair disc into the search box in the Start menu.
When the dialog box opens select the your Windows drive and click Create disc.
You will need a CD as the image is only 142mb.
+ Create an Image of Your Windows 7 installation
Creating an ISO image of your Windows 7 installation will allow you to restore your computer with little or no trouble. It is highly recommended your use this new feature.
Open Control Panel from your Start Menu.
Select Backup and Restore
Next click on the Create a System Image in the left hand pane.
Select a destination to save the image. You can choose an external drive, burn to multiple DVD’s, or store it on a network location.
After the process is complete you get the option to create a system repair disc which you should do and make sure to save it in a secure location.
If you haven't already done so.
+ Create a system restore point in Window 7
If you are going to install a new program or make many system wide changes you should consider first making a restore point.
Click Start
Right Click on Computer and select Properties.
Select System Protection in the left hand pane.
Click Create to create your new restore point.
When prompted for a name, Be descriptive so you will be able to easily identify later.
Click Create again, and the system will create the restore point.
+ Using System Restore in Windows 7
Click Start and type restore into the Start menu search box
You will see System Restore at the top of the start menu.
You will see a screen where you can choose to roll back the system to the last restore point. You can select the Recommended restore point, or you can choose a different restore point.
If you do choose a different restore point, you will see a list of restore points that you can choose from.
Select the one you wish to restore.
+ Use Small Icons on the Windows 7 Taskbar
Rright-click on the start menu orb button, choose Properties, then check the box for Use Small Icons on the Taskbar tab.
+ Show My Computer on the Windows 7 Desktop
To put the Computer icon on the Windows 7 desktop simply click the Start button, and then right-click on Computer,
Select the Show on Desktop item in the menu.
+ Customize the Look and Feel Of Windows 7
To change the appearance of your desktop theme right click an empty area on the desktop and select Personalize.
In the screen that opens you can go through and try out different ones from Aero Themes to High Contrast Themes.
There are several different default pictures to choose from. Click the Picture location drop down menu to explore different categories.
You can also create and save your own Windows 7 themes using your own images, colors and sounds.
+ Create Background Slide Show in Windows 7
To create your slideshow right-click on the desktop and click Properties.
Select Desktop Background located at the bottom right of the window.
Hold the Ctrl button on your keyboard to select each picture you would like to show on the desktop. Then choose the amount of time to to change the pictures, you can select from 10 seconds all the way up to a full day. Click the box next to Shuffle to vary them up even more.
Then simply set your new slideshow as your desktop background.
+ Using Libraries in Windows 7
Let's start by explaing what Libraries are. They are simply an indexed shortcut to files and folders scattered throughout your computer.
Windows 7 contains four predefined default Libraries: Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos.
You may add any folders you choose to your libraries. Simply right click the folder your wish to add and select or create a new library.
Please note: Only indexed files and folders are added to libraries.
+ Windows 7 Jump List
Jump Lists are a newfeature in Windows 7 that take you right to the documents, pictures, songs, or websites you use most often.
To open a Jump List, just right-click a program icon on the Windows 7 taskbar. You can also see Jump Lists for the programs on your Start menu – just click on the arrow next to the program name.
On the taskbar, Jump Lists appear for programs that you've pinned to the taskbar and programs that are currently running. On the Start menu, Jump Lists appear for programs that you've pinned to the Start menu and programs that you've opened recently. (Jump Lists don't appear in All Programs on the Start menu.)
Jump Lists can include recently opened items, frequently opened items, tasks, or websites, in addition to any items that you've pinned.
For example, if you pin an item to a program’s Jump List on the taskbar, the item also appears in that program's Jump List on the Start menu.
+ Resize Desktop Icons in Windows 7
Highlight your desktop icon or any windows icon in Windows Explorer and
hold down the Ctrl key, and scroll the mouse wheel. The icons will immediately resize bigger or smaller.
+ Change Winodws 7 Navigation View In Windows Explorer
In Windows 7 there are five locations shown by default. They are Favorites, Libraries, Computer, Network, and Homegroup. You can click through to each location in the navigation pane ,but some of us prefer to have quick access without several clicks.
Open Windows Explorer.
Select Organize then Folder and search options.
Under the General tab and the Navigation pane, Select Show all folders and Automatically expand to current folder.
Select Apply and Ok.
+ Change the Windows 7 Taskbar to XP/Vista Style
Right-click on any open area of the taskbar and choose Properties from the menu.
Make sure unlock task bar is de-selected. Tehn Select Properties.
From the Taskbar buttons drop-down menu choose Never combine, which will make every window show up as a separate button on the taskbar.
You will still see pinned icons on the taskbar but these can be removed simply by right-clicking and choosing Unpin from taskbar..
+ Logon to Windows 7 Automatically
Click Start and type control userpasswords2 into the search box.
Uncheck the box that says Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer then hit Apply. You’ll see a username and password box. Enter in the appropriate information here and hit OK.
If your user account doesn't have a password simply leave those fields blank and select OK.
+ Change the way UAC alerts you in Windows 7
The most annoying feature of Windows Vista was UAC (user account control). Windows 7 now has options to change the way UAC alerts a user to actions taken.
To manage UAC notification settings go to Start \ Getting Started \ Change UAC settings.
Use the sliders to set your personal preference for UAC alerts.
Select OK.
+ Disable Click Sound Windows Explorer
Click Start and type sounds in the search box.
When the sound dialog box opens browse through the list and select Start Navigation.
Use the drop down menu and select None.
Select Apply and click OK.
+ Add the Quick Launch Bar back to Windows 7
Right-click on an open area of the taskbar, and de-select Lock the Taskbar. Select Toolbars --> New Toolbar from the menu.
Paste the following line into the location bar below New Tool Bar - Choose Folder.
%appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch. Then choose Select Folder.
Your Quick Launch Bar will be to far to the right at this point so you'll need to move it.
Click on the dotted lines and then drag the toolbar all the way to the left.
Text labels will show by default, so right-click on the dotted lines and uncheck Show Text as well as Show Title from the menu if you prefer not to have them.
Adjust your regualr taskbar the same way.
Performance Tips for Windows 7
+ Disable Windows 7 Aero Theme
The Aero Feature requires high processing power and an above average video card.
If you experience performance issues or just prefer to disable Aero,
Right click on the Desktop and Select Personalize.
Under Basic Themes select the theme you wish to use.
If you wish you can customize the theme further by selecting your own background images, sounds and colors.
+ Disable Screen Dimming in Windows 7
By default Windows 7 and Vista dimms your screen when UAC is engaged.
This is one of the most annoying features there is,
Click Start and Type UAC into the search box.
Drag the slider down until you see Do not dim the desktop.
Please Note: This setting is a potential security risk.
+ Disable Highlight Newly Installed Programs
Right-click on the start Menu Button and choose Properties.
Select Customize.
Scroll and un-check Highlight newly Installed Programs.
+ Disable Or Change Power Settings in Windows 7
Open Control Panel and Select Power Options.
Select High Performance and Change Power Settings.
Select the settings you prefer and save changes.
+ Disable Error Reporting in Windows 7
Click Start and type in problem reporting settings into the search box,
Choose how to report problems item in the list.
Select Never Check for Solutions.
Select OK.
+ Customize the Windows 7 Start Menu
Right-click on the Start button and select Properties, and under the Start Menu tab click on Customize.
Scroll the list and select the objects you would like to add.
+ Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 7
click on the Organize button in any folder, and then select Folder and Search Options from the menu.
Click the View tab, and select Show hidden files and folders.
+ Open a Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows 7
Click Start and type CMD in the search box. Do NOT hit enter but instead, Ctrl+Shift + Enter, UAC will prompt for your approval.
+ Enable the Run Command on Windows 7
Enable the run command by right-clicking on the Start Button
Select Properties.
Click Customize.
Scroll the list of available options and select Run Command.
+ Enable the Administrator Account in Windows 7
Open a command prompt in administrator mode by right-clicking and choosing Run as administrator.
Type the following command:
net user administrator /active:yes
You will see a message that the command completed successfully.
Log out, and you’ll now see the Administrator account as a choice.
It is recomended you only use this account for troubleshooting purposes. Running your computer as administrator is a security risk.
+ Enable File Checkbox Selection in Windows 7
To enable check box selection of multiple files in Windows 7
Click on the Start button and type Folder Options into the search box and hit Enter.
In the Folder Options window click on the View tab, scroll under Advanced Settings and check the box next to Use check boxes to select items, the click Apply and Ok.
If you wish to apply this option to all folders Select the apply to all folders options as well.
+ Control System Restore in Windows 7
By default Windows takes a large chunk of your hard drive space for System Restore files. This is un-necessary and a waste of hard drive space. Reclaim your space and set Windows System restore to use a smaller amount of disk space.
Click on the Start Button
Type backup and restore in the search box and hit Enter.
Under the Backup section click on Manage Space.
In the Manage Windows Backup disk space screen click on View Backups under the Data file backup section.
Here you can manually delete any backup files you choose.
Now use the back button and select Change Settings.
Select Keep only the latest system image and minimize space used by backup then click Ok.
+ Extended SendTo Menu in Windows 7
By default Windows shows very little in the Send To Menu. Windows 7 has an extended SendTo menu using a shortcut key combination.
Hold down the Shift key while right-clicking on the file icon, and then try the Send To menu. You will now see many more options.
You can also add any option to the Send To Menu by type the following into the location bar:
shell:sendto
And then drag shortcuts to your preferred folders into this folder.
+ Using Windows 7 Compatibility Mode
Vista was a nitemare for older programs. Windows 7 seems to do a much better job of allowing older programs to run. If your having trouble with a particular program or need a program to always run in Administrator mode follow the instructions below.
Open Windows Explorer.
Locate and Browse the Program Folder of the program you want to set the modes for.
Right Click the program.exe and select the Compatibility Tab.
Select the options you desire.
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