Windows Vista Secrets Part One

Digital Studio | Guides | 20/04/2009 16:20pm
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One of the great strengths of Windows Vista is its flexibility, but because it can do so much, you may miss out on time-saving features, useful utilities and other goodies because you just don’t know they’re there. As we’ll discover over the next three web pages, it’s easy to eliminate irritations, speed up everyday tasks and prevent the kids from seeing things they shouldn’t – if you know where to look.

Whether you want your PC to start more quickly, to squeeze more power from your laptop battery, or just make your PC a more pleasant tool to use, you’ll find the answers in our selection of Windows Vista secrets.

Bypass the log-on screen

If you’re the only person who uses your computer, it’s easy to get shot of the log-on screen when Windows Vista loads. You’ll need to be an administrator to do this one: click Start and type netplwiz in the Start Search box, press Enter and clear the Users must enter a username and password to use this computer box. When you click OK, you’ll be asked to enter your password and then confirm it. Once you’ve done that, Windows Vista will log you in automatically the next time you start your PC.

Change the Start Menu

You don’t need to stick with the default options if you don’t want to. Right-click the Taskbar, click Properties > Start Menu and then click Customize. This enables you to add and remove items (including bringing back the old Run command) or change how they are displayed, so for example you can display the Pictures link as a menu that shows the contents of Pictures when you click it.

Check boxes to select files

In addition to keyboard shortcuts – Shift-clicking to select a group of files and Ctrl-clicking to select individual files – Windows Vista has secret check boxes to use when selecting things. In Windows Explorer, bring up the menu bar by pressing Alt then go to Tools > Folder Options > View. In Advanced Settings, tick Use check boxes to select items then click OK. When you return to Windows Explorer, hovering the mouse over a file or folder reveals a check box to the left of its name.

Create quick shortcuts

Do you find yourself using the same folders or Control Panel features again and again? Drag their icon from the left of the Address Bar and drop it over the Desktop or the Quick Launch bar.

Sort out start-up items

Can’t stop programs from launching every time you boot? Here’s how to banish them…

1 LAUNCH MSCONFIG It couldn’t be easier to see what programs run every time you switch on your PC. Click Start, and in the Start Search box, type msconfig. Press Enter and OK the User Account Control dialogue that pops up.

2 EXAMINE STARTUPS If you click the Startup tab, you’ll see a list of every program that runs at system startup – it’s often surprising to see how many programs there really are. Media players in particular are persistent offenders.

3 BLOCK IT To prevent a program from launching at startup, without having to actually uninstall it, simply clear the box next to it. Click OK and the changes will take effect the next time you restart your computer.

Part One? Part Two?Part Three

This entry was posted on Monday, April 20th, 2009 at 4:20 pm and is filed under Guides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.