The Windows 7 launch is just around the corner (we should know, we are attending the launch) but many tech-savvy computer users are already experiencing the joys of Microsoft’s newest release by way of their Windows 7 Release Candidate beta registrations.
Users of Windows XP who held back from upgrading their systems to Vista will have a little bit of a shock when they come to upgrade their systems to Windows 7, mostly because there isn’t a natural upgrade process between the two systems. Coupled with numerous cosmetic changes and a complete graphic overhaul, many people will be swimming in a Windows sea without any sight of land.
That’s where we come in! Today we will list 14 simple tips and tricks you can use on your Windows 7 installation, stopping you from sinking under the torrent of all the new features that comes with it.
1. Natively Burn Disc Images
If you have an ISO disc image that you wish to burn, simply double-click the file, choose the disk drive that you will be burning it from and the inbuilt Windows 7 tools will take care of the rest.
2. Adjust Your Screen Calibration To View Text And Images Clearer
Windows 7 comes with a really neat built in calibration tool for your monitor allowing you to choose how text and images are rendered by your system. To take advantage of this, simply hold the Windows Key and type “DCCW”.
3. Lock Your Screen With A Single Click
Locking the screen on a Windows installation is as easy as holding the Windows Key + L. There is an easy way to lock the screen with a single click, using a custom shortcut and a line of text. To set this up, right click on your desktop, select New –> Shortcut. Here you need to enter following text in the “Type The Location Of The Item”:
rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation
Give the shortcut a name and click Finish. Drag the newly created shortcut to the taskbar and “Pin” the item, giving it a custom icon should you wish.
4. Open Another Instance Of The First Program Running In Your Taskbar
If you are a website coder or someone who needs to open multiple instances of the same program you can achieve this by making sure you have the program you wish to open again as your first taskbar item and then pressing the Windows Key + 1.
5. Create A System Repair Disc
One of the main problems with my Windows XP discs were that they were never bootable. This meant you had to find alternative ways to access the repair mode using the XP disc. Windows 7 allows you to create a system repair disc to allow you to boot when all other options don’t work.
To use this, click Start –> Maintenance –> Create A System Repair Disc.
6. Install Fonts By Double Clicking Them
No more copy and pasting or dragging fonts into your system folders.
7. Switch Windows Between Monitors Using Your Keyboard
If you have more than one monitor connected to your computer, Windows 7 allows you to shift windows from one monitor to the other using Windows Key + SHIFT + Left Or Right Arrow Key.
8. Minimise An Active Window Using Windows Key + Down Arrow
9. Set Your Systems Time Zone From The Command Line
With Windows 7 comes the ability to use the inbuilt time TzUtil utility that allows you to set a systems time zone using different scripted commands.
To set the time zone to GMT use: tzutil /s “gmt standard time”
To list the possible time zones use: tzutil /l
To view the current time zone: tzutil /g
10. Combine Taskbar Icons
If you run Windows 7 on a netbook and screen real-estate is a precious commodity, you can combine icons on your taskbar by right-clicking the taskbar, selecting Properties and then Taskbar, ticking the Combine When Taskbar Is Full option.
11. Minimize Everything Except The Current Window
This is as simple as holding the Windows Key + Home.
12. Find Out Why You Can’t Delete Or Edit A File
More of a feature than a tip, Windows 7 will tell you exactly why you can’t delete or move a file whilst it’s in use.
13. Shutdown The Computer Using The Keyboard
The Windows 7 changed this shortcut for Vista and Windows 7 users as it used to HIbernate the computer when doing this inside XP. To shutdown hold Windows Key + Right + Enter.
14. Auto Arrange Desktop Icons Without Right Clicking The Desktop
If you had a messy desktop and you wanted to auto arrange the icons using Windows XP or Vista, you would right click the desktop and select Auto Arrange. Windows 7 allows you to hold F5 for a limited amount of time before doing this for you.
Conclusion
These are just 14 tips that I have accumulated since using Windows 7, I learnt most of the from the following websites:
It’s a good idea to read the above websites and get to learn about all Windows 7 has to offer.
