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Some Tips to Remember about Windows


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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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Windows

How Important It Is To Allow Windows Updates To Install Automatically

windows updates

Surely there isn’t a computer user around the globe who hasn’t encountered a windows update pop-up. We’ve all come across it unless you’ve always been a Mac user. Mostly people ignore these updates and think of them as something not too important. Eventually after having denied an update request for the umpteenth time, users resolve is to disable the automatic updates feature and instead handle updates manually.

But, these updates aren’t unimportant, one major reason is the security issue that it can cause if ignored, and surely no one  would like their computer to be an easy target for hackers; that’s not all and there is more to it than security.

windows updates

Therefore, we’ll discuss the factors which will enlighten you regarding how important it is to allow windows updates to install automatically?

Following are the factors which explain the importance of automatic updates:

1. Security Updates

Microsoft keeps improving any bugs and issues reported in its operating system. Therefore, patches are routinely released to fix these issues. After a patch is publicly released it becomes apparent where the loophole is; in such a circumstance quick action must be taken before hackers can make their move to unfairly benefit from the problem. If during this time you keep your updates on manual installation, then you’re providing hackers a golden chance to create a huge issue for yourself. Thence, automatic updates are important and essential, so that hackers can be prevented from harming your computer. Also, Microsoft adds malware definitions to Windows defender and Microsoft essentials; so if a virus hits your system, you’d surely want it to be detected before it infects and corrupt your system.

2. General Updates and Bug fixes

Whilst the most important part of Windows updates is related to security, there are also general issues of Windows operating system which are required to be fixed. Updates are also made to resolve bugs, windows has a complex coding and possibility of several bugs is always there. Therefore, these bug fixes can help in removing annoying issues and aid in stabilizing the operating system; as speed can also be affected by bugs and not necessarily by a virus or malicious file.

3. New Feature updates

Windows updates also introduce new features at times alongside the bug fixes and security patches. For instance, Internet Explorer is updated. However, we know that users rarely prefer using Internet Explorer, still these updates can come handy in times of dire need. Also, when support and patches for an older version are ceased, then the unfixed loopholes can pose a threat to your computer; just as it was mentioned earlier, security problems are identified on the regular basis in various parts of the Windows operating system, including ActiveX and .NET Framework, alongside the main platform.

Final Verdict

All in all, I’d conclude this by suggesting to enable auto updates. Previously people had faced issues with auto updates, like blue screen error or simply disliked it because by the time one came back from a short break, the windows update auto rebooted a computer within ten minutes and therefore, all important work on one’s PC used to vanish into thin air unsaved; this made them stop it altogether, but well gone are the days when that happened, and now that you are aware of its importance, you shan’t delay updates to refrain from being reminded by the continuous pop-ups. How important it is to allow automatic updates can also be defined by the fact that auto updates can no longer be disabled now; in windows 8 and above, windows updates may be delayed for almost 3 days before they finally install, but disabling them isn’t a choice.

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Send Text Messages from Windows 10 Through Cortana

Send Text Messages from Windows 10 Through Cortana

Microsoft has a cool feature up its sleeves! A feature that will allow users to send text messages from Windows 10 through Cortana, will be released soon by Microsoft. This is a good news for Windows users who find it inconvenient to switch between their mobile phone and desktop while at work. But this new feature integrated in Cortana will make it easier for users to tackle their calls and texts from their desktop.

Those who aren’t using Windows 10 on their desktop or mobile phone device, might not be familiar with the name. Cortana is a virtual assistant, similar to Siri which was introduced by Apple. Now with Windows 10, Microsoft has introduced Cortana as a personal assistant for their users. And alongside the several tasks that “she” performs for you, one of it is this new feature of text messaging from Windows 10.

Send Text Messages from Windows 10 Through Cortana

How to send text messages from windows 10 through Cortana?

Well, there are two ways to send text messages from Windows 10; whenever you receive a message from someone or wish to send a new message, you can either type your message or simply use voice input to reply back from Cortana’s desktop app. The message will be then transferred to your mobile phone where it will be saved as part of the conversation. Alongside this Cortana also informs you of a missed call, which you can either ignore or reply to by a text message. This works by using your Microsoft account on Desktop and mobile, and syncs them both. If you have multiple computers then the missed call alerts feature can be disabled as well.

Windows 10 Text Messaging

When Cortana Windows Text Messaging will be available?

Cortana windows text messaging feature currently works on Desktop with build 10565. However, two of the new Windows 10 mobile phones which were recently launched running build 10549 do not support windows text messaging through Cortana.  For this, users who are currently using Windows mobile build 10549 will need to wait until Windows 10 mobile build 10565 is released, so it is expected that by December this feature will be available for Windows users. Another question is, whether this feature will work solely with Windows 10 mobile phones, or will it also work on Cortana for Android and iOS? However, that only time will tell!

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Windows

How Windows 10 Helps Increase Your Business Productivity

Windows 10

The launch of Windows 10 was marked with pomp, online and in the media, especially on the implications it had for home users. However, the new operating system does have a suite of unique tools to offer businesses looking to increase their productivity. In this post, we see what upgrading from your current Windows version (Windows 7 or Windows 8) to Windows 10 means for you, your business and employees.

windows10-for-business

Increased Security

A user with a Microsoft Windows 10 device enrolls in your business system as a factor, such as a smartphone. So long as the user is close to your system, they can sign into it without requiring your password. A second security factor is a pin number or a biometric scanner for fingerprint or retina scanning. This multi-factored system allows your user to log into the system from any device or computer safely and securely.

The Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Windows 10 solution separates your business data from personal data. Business and sensitive corporate materials are automatically encrypted using BitLocker. This encryption happens as soon as you create or receive files concerning your business. You have the option of defining what you consider business and what is personal, and Window 10 automatically protects and secures these vital data on your company network.

Increased Efficiency

mproved-efficiency.

For starters, Windows 10 does not require a learning curve. The operating system is firmly based on the familiar Start menu and Desktop of Windows 7. Also, the enhanced Start menu offers single click access to some of the most used files and functions on your computer. You can also setup virtual desktops easily and quickly, and switch between them depending on what aspect of your business you are working on. With separate desktops, you can enter the necessary workspace and quickly access the relevant files and programs without closing and opening numerous applications, folders and files.

Work Anywhere

virtual-work-anywhere

Microsoft’s Universal Apps model means that you can now use the same application to keep track of your office inventory from home, on the road or anywhere in the world. You can do all these without downloading different systems and integrating numerous applications of various platforms. Your database software is available to you on any device that runs Windows 10. You can now use your corporate email program, word processor or any other program from the same page on whichever Windows 10 device. This capability offers you functionality without downloading different versions for each platform of the same software. The result is fewer overhead costs and easier fixes and updates.

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