Windows 7 Tips and Tricks

User Control

For some reason, that I haven't been able to fathom, Microsoft insists that you confirm you are the machine administrator when you try to save/paste files to specific locations, or install applications. This is especially annoying when you're the one who purchased the computer. Put an end to the confirmation messages by changing a User Control Setting.

• Start Button>>Control Panel>>User Accounts>>User Accounts>>Change User Account Control settings:
• Drag the notification bar to 'Never notify.'

Hint: You may need to reboot, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

Office Updates

Microsoft used to let you know in the Help menu not only which version of Office you had installed, but the Service Pack (SP) as well. Here's another head scratcher as to why that very important information is not readily available any more. To find your SP information:

• Start Button>>Control Panel>>Programs>>View installed updates
• Browse to the application section, for example Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010, and look for Service Pack 1 (SP1) or current SP value.

Modify the Power Button Default

This is particularly useful for laptop users, or anyone who doesn't necessarily want the default of 'Shut Down' when pressing the computer's power button.

• Right-click the Start button>>Start Menu tab>> Power button action

Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a Windows free utility that allows you to grab screenshots of your screen or specific areas of the screen. You may either save those as a graphics file, or simply paste the screenshot into a document or e-mail. This is particularly useful for error messages you want to send to your IT person.

• Start Button>>All Programs>>Accessories>>Snipping Tool.

Hint: Right-click that Snipping Tool and choose either 'Pin to Taskbar,' or 'Pin to Start Menu' for quick access.

Aero Shake

This is a strange one, but fun to know. If you have several windows open, on one or more monitors, you can quickly minimize all but the active window by doing the following. I'm not kidding here.

• Hold down the SHIFT key, click on the title bar of the only window you want to look at and shake your mouse back and forth. Do the same thing to restore the windows that you just minimized.

Working with Multiple Monitors

Here is a feature you may be interested in using, or it may answer the question: 'How did that just happen?' This feature moves the active window to another monitor via keyboard controls.

• Click in the window you want to move to another monitor. Depress the Windows key and the SHIFT key at the same time, and tap the right or left arrow keys on the keyboard.

Personal note: I stopped at three monitors, as that's as many as I feel comfortable controlling and staying accurate with.

Checkboxes in Windows Explorer

Rather than holding the CTRL or SHIFT keys when selecting multiple files, make selection easier by adding checkboxes to the file list.

• Right-click the Start Button>>Windows Explorer>>Organize>>Folder and Search Options>>View tab>>
• Turn on 'Use check boxes to select items.'

Hint: View all checkboxes by clicking the checkbox next to the Name field in the folder/file list.

Boost Your Context Menu Items

• On the windows desktop, right-click a Word file (for example). You'll see about 14 standard menu items in the context menu. Hold down the SHIFT key and right-click the file for additional context menu items.

This doesn't apply within applications, only in the Windows Desktop or Windows folders. Icon type will also drive the available menu items.

Preview Various File Types

• Rather than having to start and exit an application, simply select the file or video in a Windows Explorer folder and Press ALT + P.

Hint: ALT + P is a 'toggle'. Use it to show and hide the Preview Pane.

Add a Frequently Used Folder to Favorites

Use this to avoid typing a path, browsing to, or 'drilling' to commonly used folders.

• Navigate to the folder. From the Organize list, choose Layout>>Navigation Pane.
• Single click the folder>>Right-click the Favorites icon in the Navigation Pane>>Add current location to Favorites.

Conclusion

Windows 7 is an exceptionally robust Operating System with many more features than meets the eye. After you've reviewed and implemented some from this column you'll most likely want to learn more. A simple Internet search produces pages and pages of tips. Take full advantage of Windows 7 for a more productive, and pleasant working experience.

While many users have moved to Windows 7, the Operating System holds a plethora of features that are not readily found. The following is only a smattering of available features. Take a few minutes to test them and determine which may be most beneficial to you.

System Information

Knowing the basic specs of your Windows 7 install can be critical when considering upgrades, software purchases, or when you are in need of tech support.

• Start Button>>type the word: system in the 'Search programs and files' field>>Do not press Enter.
• Click System or System information in the Start menu.

Hint (quick shortcut key): Depress the Windows key on your keyboard and tap the Pause/Break key above your 10 key pad.

User Control

For some reason, that I haven't been able to fathom, Microsoft insists that you confirm you are the machine administrator when you try to save/paste files to specific locations, or install applications. This is especially annoying when you're the one who purchased the computer. Put an end to the confirmation messages by changing a User Control Setting.

• Start Button>>Control Panel>>User Accounts>>User Accounts>>Change User Account Control settings:
• Drag the notification bar to 'Never notify.'

Hint: You may need to reboot, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

Office Updates

Microsoft used to let you know in the Help menu not only which version of Office you had installed, but the Service Pack (SP) as well. Here's another head scratcher as to why that very important information is not readily available any more. To find your SP information:

• Start Button>>Control Panel>>Programs>>View installed updates
• Browse to the application section, for example Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010, and look for Service Pack 1 (SP1) or current SP value.

Modify the Power Button Default

This is particularly useful for laptop users, or anyone who doesn't necessarily want the default of 'Shut Down' when pressing the computer's power button.

• Right-click the Start button>>Start Menu tab>> Power button action

Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a Windows free utility that allows you to grab screenshots of your screen or specific areas of the screen. You may either save those as a graphics file, or simply paste the screenshot into a document or e-mail. This is particularly useful for error messages you want to send to your IT person.

• Start Button>>All Programs>>Accessories>>Snipping Tool.

Hint: Right-click that Snipping Tool and choose either 'Pin to Taskbar,' or 'Pin to Start Menu' for quick access.

Aero Shake

This is a strange one, but fun to know. If you have several windows open, on one or more monitors, you can quickly minimize all but the active window by doing the following. I'm not kidding here.

• Hold down the SHIFT key, click on the title bar of the only window you want to look at and shake your mouse back and forth. Do the same thing to restore the windows that you just minimized.

Working with Multiple Monitors

Here is a feature you may be interested in using, or it may answer the question: 'How did that just happen?' This feature moves the active window to another monitor via keyboard controls.

• Click in the window you want to move to another monitor. Depress the Windows key and the SHIFT key at the same time, and tap the right or left arrow keys on the keyboard.

Personal note: I stopped at three monitors, as that's as many as I feel comfortable controlling and staying accurate with.

Checkboxes in Windows Explorer

Rather than holding the CTRL or SHIFT keys when selecting multiple files, make selection easier by adding checkboxes to the file list.

• Right-click the Start Button>>Windows Explorer>>Organize>>Folder and Search Options>>View tab>>
• Turn on 'Use check boxes to select items.'

Hint: View all checkboxes by clicking the checkbox next to the Name field in the folder/file list.

Boost Your Context Menu Items

• On the windows desktop, right-click a Word file (for example). You'll see about 14 standard menu items in the context menu. Hold down the SHIFT key and right-click the file for additional context menu items.

This doesn't apply within applications, only in the Windows Desktop or Windows folders. Icon type will also drive the available menu items.

Preview Various File Types

• Rather than having to start and exit an application, simply select the file or video in a Windows Explorer folder and Press ALT + P.

Hint: ALT + P is a 'toggle'. Use it to show and hide the Preview Pane.

Add a Frequently Used Folder to Favorites

Use this to avoid typing a path, browsing to, or 'drilling' to commonly used folders.

• Navigate to the folder. From the Organize list, choose Layout>>Navigation Pane.
• Single click the folder>>Right-click the Favorites icon in the Navigation Pane>>Add current location to Favorites.

Conclusion

Windows 7 is an exceptionally robust Operating System with many more features than meets the eye. After you've reviewed and implemented some from this column you'll most likely want to learn more. A simple Internet search produces pages and pages of tips. Take full advantage of Windows 7 for a more productive, and pleasant working experience.