Some Tips to Remember about Windows

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.

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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. 😉