|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
. | ||
Back in Windows XP, when I
would take a screen shot of something I had to relay on a 3rd party software
to snip only the portion of the screen shot that I would actually like to
use. By using Vista's built-in Snipping Tool (home basic edition excluded),
this can quickly and easily be accomplished without the use of a 3rd party
application. Here's how to find the Snipping Tool:
If you would like to assign a shortcut key to the Snipping Tool, here's how:
Note: You can make the shortcut key anything that you would like. Just be sure that you make it something that you will easily remember. [Top] |
||||||||||||
|
You'll notice that each
built-in application in Vista doesn't include the text menu bar at the top
(File, Edit, View...etc.). I suppose this was excluded in an effort to
streamline the Vista interface a bit more. However, if you would like to see
the text menu again, you can press the ALT key on your keyboard and it will
pop right up. [Top] |
||||||||||||
Windows Vista has a handy way
of selecting items. This feature is not turned on by default. If you would
like to see how it works, here's how:
From now on, you will be able to use check boxes to select multiple items without having to use your CTRL or SHIFT keys on your keyboard. [Top] |
||||||||||||
If you make an editing error
within a file and have already saved the file. You used to have to re-edit
all of the work you've done to restore that file. Windows Vista uses a
technology called "Shadow Copy" that allows you to restore a file to a
previous version with a click of the mouse. Here's how:
Note: Once the file has been restored, all previous versions of this file will be removed. [Top] |
||||||||||||
|
I know most of you will relate
to this. So, you're sitting enjoying a song on your computer with the sound
turned way up. Then all of the sudden, a loud CHIME of an incoming mail
message rings through loud and clear. Pretty annoying huh?! Well, in Vista you can adjust the sound volume in each individual application. Here's how it's done:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
To get a good idea of your
device capabilities within Vista. You can run a small diagnostics utility
that will measure your individual devices performance. Each device will be
assigned a number. The higher the number, the better its performance rating.
Here's how to use this program:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
After Vista is installed, you
may notice your hard drive blinking like crazy. This would be an indication
that the Instant Search feature is actively indexing the data on all
installed drives. After the indexer is finished, you shouldn't notice
anything abnormal as it is designed to keep everything indexed behind the
scenes. However, there are those that do not intend to use the search
feature and would like to recover a little system performance by disabling
this feature. Here's how to disable it:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
Bad memory modules can create
many system errors and possibly rebooting issues. If you need to rule out
possible bad memory modules in your troubleshooting efforts. This tool
should save you some time. Here's how to use it:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
Using Virtual PC is a great
alternative for dual booting. As many people now know, if you have XP and
Vista in a dual boot scenario, each time that you boot in to XP (unless it
is encrypted or hidden), XP will clear out all of Vista's restore points.
Having XP or Vista in a Virtual PC environment is a quick and easy method to
use both operating systems on one physical computer system. You can switch
between multiple operating systems just like when you switch between
applications on your computer. One single mouse click is all it takes! Best
of all, the download for Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 is free. For more
information and the free download, click the link below: Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 [Top] |
||||||||||||
If for what-ever reason you
would like to disable the Windows Vista sidebar, here's how you can
accomplish this:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
This popular feature of Windows
Vista is extremely handy. However, if there are a huge amount of files on
your hard drive the search process can be a little sluggish. In order to
speed up the process without taking away from its usefulness. You can limit
the results that will be displayed. Here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
If you would like to disable
the UAC feature, here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
If you would like to speed up
Vista's performance and don't care to have the following two features,
here's how you can recover some resources: Disable the Transparent Glass Effect:
Disable Windows Minimize/Maximize Animation:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
Introduction: Once you've installed Vista, it is very important to the security of your network that you create individual user accounts so that you can control the permissions of these different users. Not creating user accounts will open up your network to viral pests and can compromise your personal and confidential data. How to create a user account:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
If you enjoy having a bunch of
stuff on your desktop but it seems to be getting a little crowded, even for
you <smile>. How would you like to install four desktops that are controlled
by toggling a small 3D cube? And for free? Yes, you can download this free
program and find out more information by clicking the link below: Yod'm 3D (Stands for: Yet another desktop manager) Works in: Windows 2000/XP/Vista DirectX 9 required [Top] |
||||||||||||
|
If you are opening a program
that you would like to "Run as Administrator" from the Search in the Start
Menu. This can easily be done by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER all at the
same time. When the program that you're requesting opens, it will open in an
elevated state. Or, you can right click any application and select "Run as Administrator" from the resulting menu. [Top] |
||||||||||||
If you would like to change the
Vista background from the default one that came with your system, here is
how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
Microsoft's new Aero & flip 3D
features that come with Premium, Business and Ultimate editions is a great
new look. However, if you don't have the latest and greatest graphics card
it can be annoyingly slow. If you would like to turn this feature off,
here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
If you're tired of seeing
windows zoom in and out every time you switch between applications but you
would like to keep the Aero feature in tact, it is simple to turn off only
windows animation. Here's how:
Now, when you switch between applications using the ALT and TAB keys, they will instantly switch. [Top] |
||||||||||||
The UAC was created to protect
users from any malicious attempts to alter the Vista operating system.
However, the constant prompts asking if you would like to do 'this' or
'that' can become annoying after awhile. If you would like to turn the UAC
feature off, be sure that you have a capable anti-virus and firewall
installed on your system. There are many free alternatives that provide
excellent protection. I recommend using
Zone Alarm as your firewall and
AVG-Free as your
anti-virus. It is also recommended that you have a good anti-spyware program
installed too. You can use
AdAware as a good freeware alternative. Be sure to keep these programs
up-to-date and use them regularly when having the UAC disabled. Here's how
to disable the UAC:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
If you would like to change
your time format to International time, here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
To access Vista's System
Restore feature:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
By default, Vista will have the
'Sleep' mode as its power option. I believe the reason for this is because
Vista wakes up much faster when put to 'sleep' rather than having to boot a
system back up. This allows people to resume working much more quickly. I
would still recommend rebooting the system every couple of days. If you would like to change the power setting from 'Sleep' to 'Shutdown', the change can be made in Power Options. Here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
If you would like to increase
the security of your Windows Vista account. You can enable the Account
Lockout Policy in Group Policy. Once this feature is enabled, a person that
attempts to guess your password a certain number of times will automatically
be locked out of the system for a preset time period. During this "lockout"
period, the system will not respond at all. Here is how to configure this
feature:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
I have been trying to stop the
Task Scheduler from running in Vista. It seems that all of the buttons to
disable this feature are grayed out. I was able to stop the service from
running in XP but I can't seem to stop it in Vista. can you help? Yes, but you will need to disable this feature within the Windows registry. here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
Metadata is defined as: Metadata is actually data about data. It generally describes when, how and who created a piece of data. It also can include information such as when the file was last accessed or modified. A Metadata generating algorithm can be produced by the software maker to collect any specifics about the data. In Windows Vista, metadata is used to describe files for faster keyword searching. However, using certain private metadata to describe employees or customers can result in embarrassing and harmful situations. For instance, let's say you use a metadata keyword phrase to describe "Slow Paying" customers. When searching a particular company using this keyword phrase and you then print and send the document, this keyword search tag could still be (unknowingly) attached to the printed document and could result in a damaged business relationship. Since there is no current way of incorporating some sort of metadata management for who can see this private information, it is at least possible to remove such information from any file. Here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
By default, the blinking cursor
in Windows Vista is very thin. So thin that it can be difficult to find at
times. If you'd like fatten up the cursor a little to make it easier to
find, here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
If you have nothing better to
do today and you would like to have your Shift key on your keyboard control
the speed of your Windows animation, here's how this is done: Warning: Prior to editing the Windows Registry, be sure to either make a backup copy or create a restore point.
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
When tweaking Vista, at some
point you will probably run in to a situation where you need to modify, move
or even delete a system file. In Vista, system files are protected by the
TrustedInstaller service and Windows File Protection by default. Below, I
will show you how you can take ownership of system files and grant yourself
the necessary permissions so that you can get your task done. Warning: Modifying, moving or deleting system files on Vista can have adverse effects on your operating system and in some cases render the system inoperable. Be sure that you know what you are doing prior to proceeding with these instructions.
You should receive a message that states your user name now has ownership of the file. However, you still lack the permissions to modify the file so lets continue.
At this point, you have taken ownership of the file and you have the necessary permissions to modify, move or delete the file. If any of the above instructions did not complete successfully, you can try executing the commands in safe mode. [Top] |
||||||||||||
If the constant clicking sound
as you navigate windows explorer is annoying you. It is simple to disable
it. Here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
The following tip shows you how
you can manually check your hard disk for errors:
Note: Depending on the size of the disk you are checking, this could take some time to complete. [Top] |
||||||||||||
By default, Vista adds a text
shadow effect under each icon. If you're using a background that would look
better with this feature turned off, here's how:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
Winkey + G: This command will
cycle through the Gadgets. Winkey + U: This command activates the Ease of Use Center. WinKey + X: This command cycles through the Mobility Center. Winkey + Tab: This command activates Flip 3-D. [Top] |
||||||||||||
You can speed up the
performance of your Serial ATA (SATA) drive by enabling the write caching
feature in Vista. Even though Vista has built-in support for SATA drives,
this feature is turned off by default. Here is how you can enable this
feature:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
Your new Flip 3D shortcut will now reside on your desktop. If you would like to change the default icon to the Flip 3D icon, here's how:
Many users like to have the Flip 3D shortcut in their Quick Launch Bar. To place the shortcut in the Quick Launch Bar, simply right click the Flip 3D desktop shortcut and select "Add to Quick Launch" from the resulting menu. Alternately, you can drag and drop the icon on to the Quick Launch Bar. [Top] |
||||||||||||
If you're a person constantly
on the go and you need to access your files while traveling; Vista's Sync
Center can help. By utilizing this feature, you can ensure that you have the
latest contact information, business files, phone directory...or anything
else that you may need onboard with you while you're away from the office
computer. Sync Center will even overwrite the older versions to the newest.
Sync Center will sync many different devices, which include; PDA's (personal
digital assistants), mobile phones, video players and of course, mobile
computers. The manufacture of the device will need to have provided support
for Sync Center for this feature to work. Here's how to use Sync Center:
[Top] |
||||||||||||
|
Create Desktop Shutdown/Lock/Restart/Hibernate Shortcut Icons |
||||||||||||
I get quite a few questions
from people asking how they can create a shortcut icon on their desktop to
force their system to either hibernate, sleep, lock or even restart. So
instead of having many different tips for each task, I've combined them all
in to one tip. Here's how it's done:
Note: If you do not like the look of the "default" icon that Vista has given it, you can change the icon to a different one. Here's how:
Your Desktop shortcut icon
will now revert to the selected system icon. [Top] |
||||||||||||
|
