Tips to Get the Most out of Windows 7

Still using Windows 7? Don’t feel bad. This operating system is actually a pretty efficient one, much easier to use than earlier Microsoft Windows products. And with just a few tips, you can make Windows 7 a far more powerful and effective operating system.

Access videos from your Start menu: You most likely know you can access your pictures and music from the Start menu in Windows 7. What you possibly don’t know is that you can customize it to enable you to access your videos as well. To achieve this you must first right-click on the Start button and then click “Properties.” Then navigate to the Start Menu tab and click “Customize.” Once the dialogue box pops up, scroll to the bottom and locate the videos section. Select “Display as a link” and click “OK” and “OK” again.

Modify your Shut Down button: You are aware that your computer’s Shut Down button turns off your computer. However, what if you rarely shut down your computer? A little known fact: you can personalize your Shut Down button so that when you press it, it performs another action, everything from restarting your computer to putting it in sleep mode. To perform this, right-click the Start button and select “Properties.” On the Start Menu tab, select the “Power button action” drop-down menu. You can then select what action you would like the power button to take as a default.

Add some privacy to your online searching: When you search Internet Explorer, your computer will automatically display the latest searches that you have performed. Maybe you would like to not have this information available to other users. Fortunately, you can customize Windows 7 to make this happen. You can switch off the “recent searches” feature from the Start menu. Once you pull up the Start menu’s search box, type GPEDIT.MSC and press “Enter.” This will set the Group Policy Editor in motion. Find the “User configuration” option. Then choose “Administrative Templates,” “Windows Components,” and “Windows Explorer.” Once you are here, you can double-click “Turn off display of recent search entries in the Windows Explorer search box.” Then select “Enabled” from the screen which comes up next. Then click “OK.” You will now experience greater privacy when searching the Internet.


Leave a comment!

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Struggling with unpredictable and costly IT? Grab a FREE copy of Managed IT Services: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Implementing the Right Solution for Your Business and learn how managed IT services can optimize your IT infrastructure and ensure predictable IT costs.Download it today for FREE
+
ClickCease

Schedule
a 12 Minute Call