Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Window 7 Tips
Window 7 Tips
Window 7 Tips
2010-10-18
Added 7/23/10
Windows7 Pro
Windows7 Home
Added 10/21/09
These are the following common locations I where like to delete unnecessary files.
This can speed up the operating system and help reduce the time it takes to run
virus scans as well as defrag the computer.
1. This contains the files that are downloaded when you update the Microsoft
files. Once they are updated, you don't need the files any longer.
2. Start the Windows Explorer
3. Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
4. Press Ctrl-A to highlight everything in the right hand panel and press Shift-
Delete.
For IE 8
1. Tools
2. Internet Options
3. Under Browsing History - Delete button
4. I typically only delete Temporary Internet files and History. I usually leave
Cookies since they often contain information for web sites I frequent that i
don't want to enter in every time.
Firefox
1. Tools
2. Clear Recent History (Ctrl-Shift-Del)
3. Click on Details
4. Select the Time range to clear
5. Check only those items you want to clear
6. Click on the Clear Now button
Google Chrome
There are other programs like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom which cache the
thumbnails of the graphic files you edit. This may speed up the program somewhat,
but over time I've seen it add gigs of extra files that you may want to clean on a
regular basis. See each individual program for the specifics on where those files are
kept and the easiest way to delete them.
Added 10/16/09
Normally the Action Center will show message alerts for things like Windows Update,
Internet Security Settings, Network Firewall, User Account Control and Virus
Protection.
If you want to turn these alerts off:
Resource Monitor
Added 6/19/09
Added 10/19/09
You can use Problem Steps Recorder to automatically capture the steps you take on
a computer, including a text description of where you clicked and a picture of the
screen during each click (called a screen shot). Once you capture these steps, you
can save them to a file that can be used by a support professional or someone else
helping you with a computer problem.
1. To start the Problem Steps Recorder, click on the Start button and type in
PSR then press the Enter key
2. Click Start Record
3. Go through all the steps to reproduce the problem
4. Click on Stop Record
5. The program will then create a zip file.
6. Save and send this file to your support person so they can view the steps
taken. Screenshots along with the description of the steps will be included.
Updated 10/16/09
Windows 7 now supports browser-style resizing control of text and icons on the
Desktop too?! Just hold CTRL, and scroll the mouse wheel
Added 6/7/09
Automatically Logging On
Added 10/16/09
If you are the only user on the computer and are not worried about someone else
having access to it, you can configure Windows7 to automatically log you on.
Added 10/16/09
If you are getting an error message when trying to install Google Chrome with
Windows7, a simple Registry edit may solve the problem
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\S
etup\State
3. Rename the key ImageState to ImageState1 ( I prefer to rename a key rather
than delete it when possible just in case you may want it back again at some
point)
Added 6/7/09
You can quickly maximize a window by simply dragging it to the top of the screen or
double clicking on it's border at the top.
To move a window to a different monitor, even if maximized, you can simply drag it
to the other monitor. You don't need to make it smaller first.
Added 6/7/09
If you want to minimize all the one particular window, have that be the active window
and just shake it with the mouse. Your other windows will be minimized. Shake it
again and they will return to the size and location they were before
Added 6/7/09
From the Taskbar, Windows 7 has a quick way to access files you have recently
used in a program. Simply right click on the program's icon in the taskbar. A list of
recently used files will be shown.
You can do the same for web sites you have visted. Right click on the IE icon and a
list of recent sites will be shown.
The Windows Explorer will show recent folders you have accessed
Changing the Explorer from Libraries to Computer View
Added 6/7/09
Normally when you click on a shortcut to the Windows Explorer, the default view is to
show the Libraries view.
If you want to change that to show the Computer view, simply change the target to:
%windir%\explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
If you have the Windows Explorer pinned to the Taskbar, and want to change it's
view:
Added 6/7/09
There are several ways to quickly show and access the desktop.
1. Press the Win+Spacebar keys. Let up on the spacebar but hold the Windows key
down. When you let up on the Windows key, you will return to the previous open
application
2. Next to where the time and date are shown on the system tray, there is a small
rectangular box. Clicking on this once will show the desktop. Clicking on it again will
return you to your previous open application
Added 6/7/09
On a laptop, normally you need to remember the special keys necessary to change
your display to an external projector, or to have both the laptop and projector at the
same time.
To make that much easier, with Windows7, simply press the Windows key + P.
This will bring up a display where you can select Computer only, Duplicate, or
Projector Only
Added 6/7/09
1. If you have something like a desktop and don't need hibernation enabled, you can
turn this off
2. Start / CMD
3. This will open a command prompt
4. Type in powercfg -h off
Added 6/7/09
1. Normally I don't really care to have the windows animate when they are opened or
closed. It seems to make things slower.
2. To turn this off, right click on My Computer
3. Select Properties
4. On the left side, click on Advanced system settings
5. In the performance section, click on the Settings button
6. Uncheck Animate windows when minimizing or maximizing
Added 6/7/09
1. By default, Windows7 is configured to turn off the display after 10 minutes and put
the computer to sleep after 30 minutes
2. To change that, go to Control Panel / Power Options
3. Click on Change plan settings
4. From here you can change them to whatever you like
Added 6/7/09
If you want to change the User Account Control setting for when to be notified about
changes to your computer:
Added 6/709
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what files are selected in the Explorer
when you want to copy, move or delete files. To make the selection more obvious:
Added 6/709
When using programs like the Windows Explorer, the top menu is not displayed by
default. To change that:
Added 6/709
Added 6/7/09
Added 6/7/09
If the option to pin to the taskbar does now show up when you right click on an icon,
perhaps you also have the shortcut arrow display turned off. To enable it again
1. Run Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ lnkfile
3. Createt a new String Value with the name IsShortcut
4. Reboot the computer
Added 5/6/09
Added 5/6/09
If you have another software program that lets you view the contents of an ISO file
(like WinZip), right click on the file and select Open with Windows Disk Image Burner
Added 5/6/09
If you have changed your User Account Control settings to Never notify, by default
Gadgets will not be displayed on the desktop.
Fortunately a simple registry change will solve the problem
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \
CurrentVersion \ Sidebar \ Settings
3. Right-click on the right panel and create a new DWORD (32-Bit) Value named
AllowElevatedProcess.
4. Double click on this and give it a value of 1
Added 5/6/09
The new Windows Calculator, while it has a much nicer interface, also has greater
functionality.
Standard
Scientific
Programmer
Statistics
Unit Conversions
Date Calculation
Mortgage
Vehicle Leasing
Fuel Economy
Added 5/6/09
If you want to have empty drives (like empty multiple-card reader drives), show up
grayed out in the Windows Explorer
Sticky Notes
Added 5/6/09
You can now leave sticky notes as reminders directly on your desktop.