We know that not every software is designed according to individual needs.

So Why not set it up exactly how you like it!

These are some of the most common tips of windows, but most of still don’t understand that using these, can save us a lot of time. And all these are the handy hints to make computing little easier and smoother.

OK! Let me show you some..

1. Customize your Start menu

Make your start menu for quick access to Drives in My Computer, Folders in My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music or to see options in control panel or other Network connections.

Right-click on an empty space on the task bar, and then click on Properties

* Click on the Start Menu tab. Click the active Customize button
* If you’re using the Classic Start Menu, select Expand Control Panel and Expand Network Connections

* If you’re using the Standard Start Menu, in the Control Panel section select Display as a menu.
* Under the Network Connections section, select Link to Network Connections folder to quickly access Network Connections folder.

* Click OK, then OK again to effect the changes

You will find plenty of other options here to check.

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2. Turn off Personalized Menus (in Classic Start Menu)
[This works only if you are using Classic Start menu in your windows]

It is annoying when users couldn’t find the menu entry they wanted just because of a small scrolling arrow at the bottom of the menu. You have to place your cursor over it to scroll to bottom.

To turn it off if you’re using the Classic Start menu:

* Right-click on the Start button and click on Properties

* Click Customize

* Scroll to the bottom of the Advanced Start menu options box and uncheck “Use Personalized Menus” and click OK

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3. Stop Security Center pinching you!

Security Center, which was introduced with Service Pack 2 and is still present in Service Pack 3, likes to pop up all the time that your system is insecure, especially if you’ve got Automatic Updates or Firewall turned off, or in absence of any antivirus.

To make it silent:

* Open Control Panel then Security Center

* On the left-hand side of the application click the link that says Change the way Security Center alerts me

* Uncheck the item(s) you want to disable — either Firewall, Automatic Updates, Virus Protection — then click OK

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4. Use proper Search

By default, Windows XP hides some formats of files from its search. It also uses a stupid-looking dog called the “Good for nothing–Search Companion”. That you’ll want to get rid of.

Open Windows Explorer, and hit F3 to open the search panel.

* Click the Change preferences link, and then click the Without an animated screen character link

* Click Change preferences again, then click Change files and folders search behavior link and select the Advanced option, then click OK

* Expand the “More advanced options” section by clicking on it, and make sure Search system folders, Search hidden files and folders and Search subfolders is selected to get the best possible search results.

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5. Install TweakUI, See the Hidden Options

A must have tweaking utility for windows. I think No Windows XP user should be without TweakUI.

—–Click Here to read about Tweak UI.

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6. No to all!

When moving files, Windows XP will give four options:
Yes,
Yes to All,
No
Cancel.

Sometimes though, you want a “No to All” ..? Right-— to enable this, just hold down SHIFT key while clicking No.

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7. Auto-tile applications vertically or horizontally

If you want to easily set up windows so they tile vertically or horizontally, hold down the CTRL key, click on the applications you want to tile in the task bar, and right click.

If you’re in Windows XP, you can choose “Tile Horizontally” or “Tile Vertically”In Vista it’s known as “Show Windows Stacked” and “Show Windows Side By Side”.

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8. See all options in right click menu!

To get expanded start menu to see all extra options when right clicking on a file, hold down SHIFT first.

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9. Turn off security warning when running files

[Do this at your own risk, or if you trust the publisher of the "unknown program"]

If you download an executable or file that’s seen as a security risk,Windows asks for your confirmation before running, saying “Publisher could not be verified”

Here’s how to disable this annoying feature:

* Click the Start button, then click Run — if you’re using Vista, just click the Windows button
* Type gpedit.msc and hit enter
* The Group Policy editor has now loaded. On the left, expand User Configuration
* Expand Administrative Templates
* Expand Windows Components
* Click on Attachment Manager
* Double c
lick Inclusion list for low file types, and set the radio button to Enabled. In the field that appears below, enter the filetypes causing you issues, separated by semicolons.

For example: .exe;.doc;.ppt;.xls.

* Click OK when you’re done
* Restart your machine for it to take effect

If you would prefer to leave the feature on, but just unblock one file:

* Simply Right click the file and click on Properties
* Click on the Unblock button and click OK

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10. Reduce crash recovery time

When a Blue-screen of Death or System crash happens, System Hangs up, and you have to restart it manually… right?

But you can set it to Restart system automatically, if any of those events occur.

So you can restart your things quickly.

* In the Control Panel, open System.
(If you’re using Vista, you have one more step: on the left hand side of the pane that opens, click the Advanced system settings link.)

* Click the Advanced tab, and in the Startup and Recovery section click the Settings button.
* Deselect Write an event to the system log.
* Uncheck “Send an administrator alert”.
* Check “Automatically restart”
* Set Write debugging information to “None” from drop-down box.
* Click OK, then OK again.

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11. Faster Opening of My Computer

1. Open My Computer
2. Click “Tools” from menu bar above.
3. Select “Folder Options”.
4. Goto “View” Tab.
5. Under Advance Settings Hierarchy, Uncheck “Automatically search for network folders and printers”

This will save few seconds loading and searching for network folders/printers that are shared over local network, while opening My computer.

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12. Time to Learn some Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts can make using your PC a lot quicker.

Below are some of the most common but essentials Keyboard shortcuts for Windows.

UNIVERSAL SHORTCUTS
Windows Key	Opens Start menu. You can also use CTRL + ESC
Windows Key + R	Open Run dialog
Windows Key + E	Open Windows Explorer
Windows Key + D	Show desktop
Windows Key + L	Lock computer
Windows Key + PAUSE or BREAK	Load system properties
Windows Key + B	Make the system tray active. Use Enter to simulate a double click, or use the arrow keys to select the icons
Windows Key + TAB	Windows XP: Cycle forward through applications in the taskbar Windows Vista: Cycle forward through Flip 3D Windows Key + T cycles the taskbar forward in Vista
Windows Key + SHIFT + TAB	Windows XP: Cycle backward through applications in the taskbar Windows Vista: Cycle backward through Flip 3D Windows Key + SHIFT + T cycles the taskbar backward in Vista
ALT + TAB	Cycle forward in task switcher
ALT + SHIFT +TAB	Cycle backward in task switcher
CTRL + ALT +DEL	Bring up the Windows Security dialog, allowing you to log out, change password, lock the computer, shutdown or run the Task Manager
CTRL + SHIFT +ESC	Load the Task Manager
PrintScreen Key	Take a screenshot, and copy it to the clipboard. To retrieve it, you’ll need to paste it into an imaging program like Paint and save t.
ALT+ PrintScreen Key	Take a screenshot of the active window only.

WINDOWS VISTA ONLY
Windows Key + any number	Hotkeys for the appropriate entry in the QuickLaunch bar. For example, Windows Key + 1 will execute the first shortcut, Windows Key + 2 the second, and so on.

FILE OPERATIONS IN WINDOWS EXPLORER
CTRL + C	Copy the file
CTRL + X	Cut the file
CTRL + V	Paste the file. If you previously performed the copy shortcut, the file will be copied to the chosen location. If you previously performed the cut shortcut, the file will be moved to the chosen location
CTRL + Z	Undo the previous file operation
Holding CTRL when click dragging a file	Upon release of mouse button, force the file to copy to the new location
Holding ALT when click dragging a file	Upon release of mouse button, create a shortcut to the file in the new location
Holding SHIFT when click dragging a file	Upon release of mouse button, force the file to move to the new location
ALT + ENTER or ALT + double left click on icons	Load the properties dialog
SHIFT + DEL	Delete file immediately, without sending it to the Recycle Bin.
SHIFT + arrow keys, or HOME/END	Group select/deselect multiple sequential files
CTRL + left click	Select/deselect multiple specific files
F2	Rename file
F3	Open search Explorer bar
F4	Go to address bar
F5	Refresh contents
Numpad *	Expand entire selected folder tree
CTRL+ A	Select all files in current window
Right Key or numpad+	Expand current folder
Left Key or numpad -	Collapse current folder
BACKSPACE	Go up to parent folder

SHORTCUTS WITH TEXT
CTRL + Left Key or Right Key	Place the cursor at the beginning or the end of the current word.
CTRL + END	Send the cursor to the end of the document
CTRL + HOME	Send the cursor to the beginning of the document
Double click	Quick select the clicked word
Triple click	Quick select the clicked paragraph
SHIFT + arrows, HOME, END, PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN	Select text

NAVIGATION WITHOUT A MOUSE
SHIFT + F10	Same as right clicking a file
TAB	Navigate menu elements forward
SHIFT + TAB	Navigate menu elements backward
ALT + F4	Close the current application
ALT + SPACEBAR	Display application system menu
ALT + Underlined letter in menu	Open that menu
SPACEBAR	If a checkbox or radio box is selected, activates this. If a button is selected, clicks it
ENTER	Click the default button (usually OK)
ESC	Equivalent to clicking the CANCELbutton

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These were very few from the HUGE list of tips of using Windows.

….Hope you liked it. :p

If you have anything new to share, you can reply in the comments.

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