WINDOWS TIPS AND TRICKS

How to Access Frequently Used Items in Windows 7 with Jump Lists?How to Access Frequently Used Items in Windows 7 with Jump Lists?ump list is a handy

2010-04-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

ump list is a handy way to have access to the recently as well as frequently used items on the computer. Jump Lists can be seen on the Taskbar and the Start menu when you right-click on an icon. Jump Lists function as small Start Menus which are application-specific. They can also be found on the icons of applications specifically pinned to the taskbar or the Start menu.

In the previous versions of Windows, it was not very easy and convenient to access frequently used websites, files etc through the jump list. . It allows you to get quick access to frequently used items in Windows 7.

Access Frequently Used Items In Windows 7 Using Jump lists

Jump List Feature for Internet Explorer

Right click a program icon on the Taskbar.

Click the first letter of an item to jump between them after you open the Windows 7 jump list.

Jump List Feature in the Start Menu

This feature makes helps you get easy access to the recently opened items on your computer.

How to Clear Jump List History

Right click on Start.

Select Properties.

Choose Start Menu tab

Uncheck the first or second or even both the boxes if you want under Privacy. This will clear the history of Start Menu or Taskbar items or both.

The improved feature helps you access frequently used items in Windows 7 in a better as well as easier way. It makes your navigation quicker.

Use Short Keys on the Keyboard to access frequently used items using Jump Lists

Windows 7 provides you with another method to access the Jump List feature. This method is by using the short keys on your keyboard. Windows 7 comes with a built-in shortcut key. This shortcut key can open up the Jump Lists for the earliest nine icons on the taskbar. So for the taskbar icon, use the shortcut key Win+Alt+1 to open the Jump List.

How to remove the text from the Desktop icon?

2010-04-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Desktop is the interface of Windows, which contain the icons, taskbar etc. that allow the user to interact with the computer to perform different operations. Usually the picture of icon represents its purpose so if you want your desktop looking very clean then you can remove the title under the desktop icons. May be you are thinking it is so easy, just go to rename option and set blank name or single spacebar entry but the problem is this, windows will not allow you to set blank name or name with single spacebar entry. Here interesting thing is this; window will allow you to use the ASCII code for a space, which is 0160.

First clear all the text from that icon

Now type the ASCII code, simply hold the Alt key, type the number 0160 from the number pad and release the Alt key then press Enter button to finish the process.

Before

After

But if you want to remove the text of multiple icons, then repeat the above process with adding one extra ASCII code for second icon, (for example for second icon you type the 0160 twice and for third icon type 0160 three times with Alt key and so on).

How to remove the text from the Desktop icon?

2010-04-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

First clear all the text from that icon

Now type the ASCII code, simply hold the Alt key, type the number 0160 from the number pad and release the Alt key then press Enter button to finish the process.

Before

After

How to Manage your Documents and Files with Libraries in Windows 7?

2010-04-26T03:15:00.000-07:00

How to Manage your Documents and Files with Libraries in Windows 7?

With the old editions of Windows like XP and Vista, it can be a tiresome job to manage documents, photos, music etc that are present in different directories on the hard drives. The new feature named Libraries in Windows 7 helps you to organize all your folders from different locations in the hard drives in a single place.

Follow the given steps to use default Libraries in Windows 7:
To access the Libraries in the computer, click on Start.

Click your user name to open your personal folder.

Click on Libraries in the left pane. You will be able to see the 4 default Libraries: Documents, Videos, Pictures and Music.

Libraries in Windows 7 reveal files stored in different hard drives of the computer. This is what a Music Library looks like.

You can make your own Library in addition to the ones that already exist.

How to Make Your Own Libraries in Windows 7:

Click on the New Libraries button in the left pane.

A new Library will come up simply like a new folder.

Label your new Library.

As you go into your new Library, you can add new files, documents, as well as new folders.

In order to add new folder locations to the Library, you just have to click on the hyperlink that displays the present number of locations.

Click the Add button to include other locations of your computer.

Right-click on the Library icon.

Select Properties and add a folder from there.

In addition to this, you can Right-click on a folder and include it in any library as you are navigating the explorer.

All this will make a little change to the user interface. It is very good feature and makes the navigation of folders and files very easy.

With the old editions of Windows like XP and Vista, it can be a tiresome job to manage documents, photos, music etc that are present in different directories on the hard drives. The new feature named Libraries in Windows 7 helps you to organize all your folders from different locations in the hard drives in a single place.

Follow the given steps to use default Libraries in Windows 7:

To access the Libraries in the computer, click on Start.

Click your user name to open your personal folder.

Click on Libraries in the left pane. You will be able to see the 4 default Libraries: Documents, Videos, Pictures and Music.

Libraries in Windows 7 reveal files stored in different hard drives of the computer. This is what a Music Library looks like.

You can make your own Library in addition to the ones that already exist.

How to Make Your Own Libraries in Windows 7:

Click on the New Libraries button in the left pane.

A new Library will come up simply like a new folder.

Label your new Library.

As you go into your new Library, you can add new files, documents, as well as new folders.

In order to add new folder locations to the Library, you just have to click on the hyperlink that displays the present number of locations.

Click the Add button to include other locations of your computer.

Right-click on the Library icon.

Select Properties and add a folder from there.

In addition to this, you can Right-click on a folder and include it in any library as you are navigating the explorer.

All this will make a little change to the user interface. It is very good feature and makes the navigation of folders and files very easy.

A Quick way to print a Document

2010-01-05T03:20:00.001-08:00

There are many ways to prints a document, but you can print a document quickly if you put a shortcut to the printer on your desktop and drag a document icon to it, no need to open file for printing just drag a file to printer icon and get your print.

3 stubborn PC problems you can fix

2010-01-05T03:15:00.000-08:00

Ever notice how each PC has a personality of its own? Or maybe even multiple personalities? In the course of a week, your computer may act friendly, moody, and sometimes downright mean.

However, don't take a hammer to your PC just yet. The following is a list of common symptoms and treatments to help even the most troublesome PCs. You don't even have to be a psychologist (at least not yet) to deal with your PC's neuroses.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista usually manage this automatically, but overall you'll find that these tips work for all versions of Windows, from Windows 95 to Windows 7.

1. You keep getting a "your system is running low on virtual memory" message

Perhaps you're more than familiar with this scenario: You're working on your PC and notice performance getting gradually slower and slower. Programs become harder to open and close. You wait forever for Web pages to be displayed. And then, you get some serious-sounding "virtual memory is too low" message, like the one in the following graphic.

Don't worry: This message isn't as scary as it sounds.

Virtual memory low message

Virtual memory is the space your computer uses when it's short of RAM (Random Access Memory), which is the memory used when running programs like Microsoft Office Word or Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

So what can you do to correct this problem and prevent this message from coming up in the future? The following are some solutions to keep your computer from displaying the "virtual memory minimum is too low" message.

Solution 1: Bump up the virtual memory size on your computer

The first solution is to increase your computer's virtual memory settings. To do so, you first need to determine how much RAM you currently have.

Windows 7

On the Start menu, click Control Panel, then click System.
In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.
Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.
Clearing the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box
Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.
Click Custom size, type a new size in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

Note Increases in size usually don't require you to restart your computer for the changes to take effect, but if you decrease the size, you'll need to restart your computer. We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.

Solution 2: Add more RAM to your computer

If you keep getting that dreaded "Your system is running low on virtual memory" message—even after you increase your computer's virtual memory—then you may need to buy more memory for your computer. To really work well:

Windows 7 needs at least 1 GB of RAM to run. See more system requirements for Windows 7.
Windows Vista needs at least 512 MB of RAM to run, but for some applications (like gaming) 1 GB or more of RAM is recommended.
Windows XP needs a minimum of 256 MB of RAM.

The more RAM you have, the better.

Find out how much RAM you have in your computer

On the Start menu, click Control Panel, then click System.
Under System, next to Installed memory (RAM), you can see the amount of RAM your computer has.
Note In some cases, Windows reports both the amount of memory that's installed on your computer and the amount of memory that's usable. If you're using a 32-bit version of Windows, the amount of usable memory might be less than the total amount of memory installed.

If you're at work, contact your company's IT administrator before updating the memory on your computer. They may have some memory available and can help you install it.

If you do need to purchase some more memory, stop by your local computer shop. You can probably buy memory from them, and they'll probably install it for you. Or, you can buy memory online.

2. Your windows slide off the desktop—and you can't grab them

We're all familiar with moving program windows around the desktop. You can click-and-hold the window's title bar to move it around. But what do you do when you accidentally move a window's title bar off the desktop so you can't grab it anymore? The window is stuck in that inconvenient position.

Solution: Use your keyboard to help move your window

The trick to moving these stubborn program windows is to use your keyboard.

Use your keyboard to move a window:

Select the program window you're trying to move, and then press ALT+SPACEBAR on your keyboard. The program's shortcut menu is displayed.
Accessing shortcut menu
Click Move.
Use your LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, UP ARROW, or DOWN ARROW keys to move the window so you can see its title bar on your screen.
After you move the window where you want it, press ENTER.

3. Your taskbar has disappeared

The taskbar is that horizontal bar at the bottom or your computer screen that displays open programs on your desktop. The taskbar also contains the Start menu, which allows you to navigate to various programs installed on your computer. In many ways, it's your command central.

Thus, there's nothing more frustrating than going to start a program, only to find the taskbar gone. A computer without a taskbar will bring you to a grinding halt.

The good news is that the taskbar never disappears—it just hides. It may be hiding behind other open windows, or at the top or side of your screen. You can also (unintentionally) make the taskbar so thin that it seems invisible.

The following are possible reasons why your taskbar has vanished, as well as solutions to keep your taskbar from ever running away again.

Solution 1: Find your taskbar behind other windows

If you don't see your taskbar, minimize all windows on your desktop. See if your taskbar is hiding behind your open windows.
Finding your taskbar behind maximized windows
Set your taskbar so it's always on top of all desktop windows:
1. Right-click the taskbar, and click Properties.
2. Select the Lock the taskbar check box.
3. Make sure the Auto-hide the taskbar check box is not selected.

Locking and keeping the taskbar on top

Now your taskbar will always be visible, no matter how many windows you have open. Locking your taskbar also keeps you from accidentally moving it around.

Solution 2: Find your taskbar elsewhere on your screen

If you have tried minimizing all windows on your desktop and you still don't see your taskbar—perhaps it has been moved. Maybe you've moved it yourself by accident. Or, perhaps someone's playing a practical joke on you. Regardless, the following will help you get your taskbar back to its proper size.

As you did in the previous steps, minimize all windows on your desktop. If you don't see your taskbar at the bottom of the screen, perhaps it's hanging out to the side or at the top of your desktop.
Finding a hidden taskbar
Click-and-drag your taskbar back to the bottom of your screen.
Right-click the taskbar, and then click Properties.
Click to select the Lock the taskbar check box.

Solution 3: Thicken your taskbar

You can make your taskbar a thin line—so skinny it's hard to see. To see if you've done this unintentionally, perform the following:

Minimize all windows on your desktop. Look at each side of your screen. If you see a thin strip, that's the taskbar.
Finding a thin taskbar
Point your mouse at the strip. It changes into a double-sided arrow
Click-and-drag the mouse toward the center of the screen to thicken your taskbar.
After you thicken the taskbar, you can drag it back to the bottom of the screen by following the steps in "Solution 2" above.

Where to find more help

This article covers three common PC problems. But if you're still unable to find the solution to your particular PC problems, check out the Microsoft support page. There, you'll find various self-support and assisted support solutions. You'll find answers to cure even the most disturbed computer.

5 good computing habits

2010-01-05T03:14:00.000-08:00

Working off a slow, disorganized computer can be frustrating—and it happens to the best of us. This article is designed to give you some easy-to-follow guidelines on how to keep your computer on the right track using tools in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

1. Organize your folders

We all know how easy it is to dump files into the wrong folder when we're in a hurry. But one way to make sure you'll keep your files organized is to remove the clutter with a filing system that makes sense for the way you use your computer. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Start clean
Begin by deciding which files you no longer need on your hard drive.
Think it through
Take the time to plan the best way to organize your files. How do you spend your time on the computer and what do you create? Do you work with photos and image editing software, surf the Web, write short stories, research school projects, or play games? The folders you create in Documents (called “My Documents” in Windows XP) can be easily tailored to show you just the kind of data about your files that you need to track.
Use subfolders
After you have an idea of the kinds of items you produce and want to save, create folders and subfolders to store your files. Be sure to use logical, easy-to-understand names. For example, within Documents, you might create additional folders called Projects, HR Benefits, and Career. Then, within the Projects folder, you could create subfolders for each different project.
Clean your files periodically
After you have set up your file system, inspect and clean it regularly. Routine maintenance tasks such as deleting old or duplicate files and folders and making sure that important files are in the right folders can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Windows Tip

To create a new subfolder with Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, simply right-click anywhere in the folder, select New, and then select Folder. Type the name for the new folder and press Enter. In Windows 7, you can also click New Folder at the top of any Documents Library folder to automatically create a new folder. For more tips about creating a well-organized filing system, see 7 tips to manage your files better.

Windows 7 screen with New Folder command circled and New Folder ready to be named

2. Clean up your hard disk

Now that you've organized your files and folders, and cleaned up your desktop, you can organize the data itself. Windows includes two utilities—Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter—that help you free up more space on your hard drive and help your computer work more efficiently.

Disk Cleanup compresses your old files so you can free up storage space.
Disk Defragmenter scans your hard drive and consolidates files that may be scattered across the disk.
Not sure how often to run these utilities? It's really up to you—some people like to run both weekly, others prefer monthly, and a few only run them every few months. It's not a bad idea to do both at least once a month. Windows Vista users take note: Disk Defragmenter is automatically scheduled to run once a week (Sunday at 4 a.m.). You can change the scheduled time for this feature or turn it off, if you prefer.
To find both programs in Windows Vista and Windows XP, click Start, point to All Programs, then point to Accessories, and then choose System Tools.

3. Use System Restore

System Restore is one of those programs that can be a life-saver when you've been the unfortunate recipient of unstable software, a badly timed power outage, or a damaging thunderstorm. System Restore records important documents, settings, and preferences on your computer. If the unthinkable happens and your computer files are damaged or inaccessible, you can use System Restore to restore your computer back the same state it was in before the data was lost.

System Restore creates restore points daily, and whenever you install device drivers, automatic updates, and some applications. Still, it's a good idea to get into the habit of creating a system checkpoint (called a restore point) whether you're about to install new software or take any action you suspect might make your computer unstable. That way, if there's any conflict at all, you can restore your computer to the point just before you began the installation.

Windows 7

Click Start . In the search box, type system restore. Under Programs, click System Restore. Follow the directions in the wizard to restore your computer to the point you want.
First page of the Windows 7 System Restore Wizard

Windows Vista and Windows XP

Click Start, and choose All Programs.
Point to Accessories, then point to System Tools, and then choose System Restore.
When the program begins, choose Create a restore point and click Next.
Enter a description of the restore point and click Create. After a few seconds, the program will tell you the date, time, and description of the new restore point.
Click Close.
System Restore screen with a restore point created for a specific date before data was lost

4. Keep Windows and Office up-to-date

Computer programs are continually improved based on customer feedback and continuing product testing. As problems are resolved, you should benefit from those improvements. By checking Microsoft Update regularly, you can make sure you've got the most recent Windows and Office improvements available to you.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista users don't need to sign up for Microsoft Update: an account is automatically created for you during the registration process and Windows Update is automatically installed on your computer with default settings that you can change later if you wish.

If you're using Windows XP, you have to visit Microsoft Update to start the update process. If it's your first time to visit Microsoft Update, you might need to sign up for the service.

Use Microsoft Update to install the update process for all Microsoft products on your XP-based computer

After you've visited the Microsoft Update site, you should also configure your Windows XP-based computer to receive critical updates automatically. This free service is called Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows Vista and Automatic Updates in Windows XP.

Learn how to turn automatic updating on in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP

Windows 7

Windows Vista

Windows XP

Important If you do not select the automatic updating option we recommend, you must download and install every critical update. If you download the updates, but forget to install them, your computer will not be protected with all the latest enhancements.

5. Run antivirus software AND a spyware detection and removal tool

Updating your Windows software is just the first step in keeping your computer safe. Next, you'll want to download and install antivirus software and keep it up-to-date. Your computer may have come with a free trial of antivirus software, but if you don't renew your subscription, you won't be protected from all the latest threats.

If your computer seems sluggish or if you begin to see lots of pop-up advertisements, even when you're not surfing the Web, your computer may be infected with spyware, adware, or other unwanted software. Learn more about spyware and what it can do to your computer.

8 ways to help maintain your computer and devices at work

2010-01-05T03:11:00.000-08:00

You most likely couldn't do your job without your computer and mobile devices. Everyday you use them to work on files, connect with people, and access resources. Keeping them running smoothly is important to working effectively.

So how do you start?

At work your computer and devices are part of a larger network. Keeping them running means you have to work closely with your corporate IT department. Working with them will save you time, save your company money, and help keep the network secure. This article includes tips and best practices for working with your corporate IT department to keep your computer and devices up-to-date and functioning properly.

Who owns the computer?

You use a computer at work, you may take it home, and you might even have a picture of your kids on the computer desktop. The computer, though, isn't yours. It's important to realize that your company owns that computer. They have the right to install patches and updates on a regular basis. By doing so, they can make sure your computer and the network run as smoothly as possible.

"It's common for IT departments to get complaints about patches being put on computers," said Jim DuBois, a general manager for IT at Microsoft. "But it is the best way for companies to make sure the network and computers remain secure."

To further protect their computers, many companies even prevent users from making changes to the settings or software installed on the computer.

Best practices for maintaining your computer

Use these best practices to help maintain and protect the computer you use at work. You should contact your IT department to determine their specific policies.

Install all updates required by your IT department. Not installing updates as required by your IT department can expose your company to viruses and other security risks. Some companies even prevent computers from accessing the network if patches aren't installed after a set date. Also, find out whether the IT department wants you to install updates on Microsoft Update . If they do, make it a habit of checking Microsoft Update regularly. You'll save yourself the hassle of the IT department forcing you to install updates when it's not convenient for you.
Install only licensed programs. Make sure that you or your company have a license for any software you install on your work computer. Your company can get sued for having software without a license installed on its computers. For example, installing a program your friend bought could present some problems. Software that you've bought a license for is probably fine, but double-check the license to make sure. Sometimes, software bought for home use can not be installed at work as well.
Don't install different versions of software. Even if you prefer the version of software you use at home rather than work, don't install it on your work computer. You could have incompatibility problems with the software your co-workers are using and with your specific line of business applications. Your IT department may also not be able to make any required updates or provide technical support.
Let IT know when hardware isn't working. Fixing a broken computer yourself could just cause more problems. Your fixes, for example, could make the computer incompatible with the corporate network. Most IT departments have a helpdesk or technical assistance program designed for this type of work. The IT department may have already seen the same problem and have a known fix. Helping your IT department track common computer problems can also help them decide which brand and make of computer to order in the future.
Let IT know when you need something. Giving the IT department reasonable requests and adequate time for planning can help them respond to your needs. Otherwise, you may end up with computer software or hardware you didn't want, which can hinder how effective you are at work.
Don't download programs from Internet sites you don't trust. By downloading programs that may not be secure, you put all the computers on the network at risk.
Be aware of suspicious e-mails. A virus introduced though e-mail may be disguised as a downloadable file. If an e-mail you receive is from someone you don't know, contains strange text, or otherwise looks suspicious, contact your IT department. If you open it, you could potentially cause problems for you and you co-workers. If it does contain a virus, the IT department can ask other employees in the organization to look for similar e-mails.
Use online support resources. Many IT departments have created online internal help sites that could provide an answer to your computer problem. Each day, Help desks typically receive many questions that are already answered at these sites. For help effectively using Microsoft products, you can also use the following resources:

Buying pocket PCs and Smartphones to use at work

If you work on the road, your company may provide you with a Windows phone to stay in touch with the office. If you buy your own, though, check with the IT department to see whether they have a list of recommended devices. There are many options for devices and data and voice plans. Your IT department may have brands, models, and plans that they already support. Buying those will make it easier to connect to the network and get support if you need it.

5 ways to speed up your PC

2010-01-05T03:10:00.000-08:00

By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain your computer and keep it running smoothly. This article discusses how to use the tools available in Windows 7, Vista, and XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to more efficiently maintain your computer and safeguard your privacy when you're online.

1. Free up disk space

The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete, and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.

Use Disk Cleanup to:

Remove temporary Internet files.
Remove downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets).
Empty the Recycle Bin.
Remove Windows temporary files such as error reports.
Remove optional Windows components that you don't use.
Remove installed programs that you no longer use.
Remove unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.

Tip: Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.

Use Disk Cleanup

Window 7

Windows Vista

Windows XP

2. Speed up access to data

Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk when the file is opened to piece it back together. The response time can be significantly longer.

Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. With your files stored neatly end-to-end, without fragmentation, reading and writing to the disk speeds up.

When to run Disk Defragmenter
In addition to running Disk Defragmenter at regular intervals—monthly is optimal—there are other times you should run it too, such as when:

You add a large number of files.
Your free disk space totals 15 percent or less.
You install new programs or a new version of Windows.

Use Disk Defragmenter

Window 7

Windows Vista

Windows XP

3. Detect and repair disk errors

In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.

As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult, or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors, and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.

If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.

Run the Error Checking utility:

Close all open files.
Click Start, and then click My Computer.
In the My Computer window, right-click the hard disk you want to search for bad sectors, and then click Properties.
In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab.
Click the Check Now button.
In the Check Disk dialog box (called Error-checking in Windows 7), select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box, and then click Start.
Example of Check Disk Local Disk dialog box
If bad sectors are found, choose to fix them.

Tip: Only select the "Automatically fix file system errors" check box if you think that your disk contains bad sectors.

4. Protect your computer against spyware

Spyware collects personal information without letting you know and without asking for permission. From the Web sites you visit to usernames and passwords, spyware can put you and your confidential information at risk. In addition to privacy concerns, spyware can hamper your computer's performance. To combat spyware, you might want to consider using Microsoft Windows Defender, which is included in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, and is available as a free download for Microsoft XP SP2. Alternatively, there are other free anti-spyware software programs available.

5. Learn all about ReadyBoost

If you're using Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you can use ReadyBoost to speed up your system. A new concept in adding memory to a system, it allows you to use non-volatile flash memory—like a USB flash drive or a memory card—to improve performance without having to add additional memory.

Tired of chasing your mouse? Use keyboard shortcuts

2009-10-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

The mouse, one of the greatest advances in computing history, provides you with an intuitive point-and-click method for using your computer. Depending on the type of work you're doing, however, sometimes using a mouse actually slows you down. If you are a good typist, taking your hands away from the keyboard to move the mouse can use up a few seconds. Over the course of a full day, you could save several minutes by using keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse.

You can use your keyboard instead of your mouse to do these three tasks:

•	Start a program
•	Navigate menus
•	Minimize, maximize, and close windows

Start a program using a keyboard shortcut

The Start menu is great for finding programs, but its multiple levels of folders can be time consuming to navigate. If there is a program you start frequently, you should set a keyboard shortcut for it so that you can start the program without taking your hands off the keyboard.

To set a keyboard shortcut to start a program

1.	Click the Start menu, and then click All Programs. Right-click the program that you want to start with a keyboard shortcut, and then click Properties.
2.	Click in the Shortcut key box. Now press the letter on your keyboard that you want to use to start the program. Make it easy to remember—for example, press I for Microsoft Internet Explorer. Note: You can use either uppercase or lowercase letters when creating your keyboard shortcuts—and when accessing them later. In the Shortcut key box, Microsoft Windows XP automatically adds Ctrl + Alt + before the key you pressed. When you want to start the program, hold down both the CTRL and ALT keys simultaneously, while also pressing the letter you chose. This way, your program won't start every time you type that letter.
3.	Click OK.
4.	Now test your shortcut. Hold down the CTRL and ALT keys, and then press the letter you chose. If you find it difficult to hold down two keys at once, read Turn on the Sticky Keys feature. Your program should start.

When your friends see you start up programs without touching your mouse, they just might think you have a psychic connection with your computer!

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Navigate menus using the keyboard

You can speed up tasks in almost any program by choosing menu items using your keyboard instead of your mouse. This operation is particularly handy when you're performing repetitive tasks.

To control menus using your keyboard

With your program open, press the ALT key. Notice that one letter on each menu name is now underlined. To open the menu, press the underlined key. For example, in Internet Explorer, the View menu name shows the V underlined after you press the ALT key. To open the View menu, press the ALT key, and then press V.

Now, each menu item will show one letter underlined. To access or activate the menu item you want, simply press the underlined key. For example, in Internet Explorer, after you open the View menu, the Privacy Report menu item shows the V underlined. Instead of clicking Privacy Report with your mouse, you can just press the V key.

You can also choose menu commands by pressing key sequences quickly, without waiting for the menus to open. For example, to quickly view a Web page's privacy report in Internet Explorer, press ALT, V, V. Similarly, to save a Web page in Internet Explorer, you would normally click the File menu, and then click Save As. To choose the same commands using your keyboard, press ALT, F, A.

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Control windows using your keyboard

If you like to keep four or five windows open while you work (or play) on your computer, you'll appreciate knowing these keyboard shortcuts. You can quickly switch between your Web browser, e-mail, instant message windows, and other programs without taking your hands off the keyboard.

Action	Shortcut
Minimize a window to your taskbar	ALT, SPACEBAR, N
Maximize a window so it takes up your whole desktop	ALT, SPACEBAR, X
Restore a window so it's visible but doesn't take up your whole desktop	ALT, SPACEBAR, R
Close a window	ALT+F4
Switch to the last window you had open	ALT+TAB
Switch to any window	Hold down the ALT key, and press TAB until the window you want is active

Programs often start up in a "restored" state, where the window takes up only part of the screen. To maximize the window so that it takes up the entire screen, press the ALT key, press the SPACEBAR, and then press X. This will feel natural after you do it a few times, and you will feel much more efficient while using your computer.

Simplify using your mouse: change double-click to single-click

2009-10-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

When you browse the Web with Microsoft Internet Explorer, links open with a single click. Yet, when you browse My Computer or My Documents, a single click lets you select a file or folder, but you have to double-click to open it.

If you'd rather single-click to open files and folders, you can change the setting on your mouse (don't worry, this process doesn't require any double clicks).

To change the settings on your mouse

Click Start, and then click My Computer.

Click Tools, and then click Folder Options.

Click Single-click to open an item. Then, click OK.

Now you can navigate folders and open files with a single rather than a double click. If you need to select a file, simply hold your mouse over the file for a few seconds without clicking

Set your windows so they all have the same view

2009-10-04T14:14:00.002-07:00

Microsoft Windows XP lets you show the contents of folders in a variety of ways, such as a simple or detailed list of the files, or as thumbnail images. Each folder in My Computer or My Documents can have its own view. That’s useful for folders like My Music or My Pictures, because you can look at your digital photos in Thumbnails or Filmstrip view, and see your song titles in Tiles view. But changing the view for every folder can be time-consuming.

If you prefer to have all your folder contents displayed in a particular way, you can save yourself some time by changing the view for all the folders on your computer at once.

To set your windows so they all have the same view

1.	Click Start, and then click My Documents.
2.	Click the Views button, and then click the view you want to apply to all folders. Note: For more information about views, read Specify how folders open.
3.	Click Tools, and then click Folder Options.
4.	Click the View tab, and then click Apply to All Folders.
5.	Click Yes.
6.	Click OK.

The next time you open a folder, it will be displayed using the view you chose. To restore your original folder settings, repeat steps 1-3. Then, in step 4, click Reset All Folders.

Use a Web graphic for your desktop background

2009-10-04T14:14:00.001-07:00

The Web has many beautiful pictures. If you find a picture you particularly like, such as the following image of the puppy, you can make it your desktop background, so that you can see it whenever you use your computer.

To use a Web graphic for your desktop background

Use Microsoft Internet Explorer to open the Web page with the picture you like.

Right-click the picture, and then click Set as Background.

Microsoft Windows XP displays the picture as your desktop background. For best results, use large pictures that are wider than they are tall.

Speed up menu display

2009-10-04T14:13:00.002-07:00

Microsoft Windows XP uses many visual effects to provide a rich, friendly interface. One of these settings allows menus to fade into view when you open them. This visual effect is so smooth that you may never have noticed it; however, the effect does cause menus to take a little longer to appear.

On a fast computer, this shouldn't be an issue. But on a computer that isn’t responding as quickly as you'd like, you can make menus display faster.

To speed up menu display

1.	Click Start. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2.	Click the Advanced tab. In the Performance area, click Settings.
3.	On the Visual Effects tab in the Performance Options dialog box, clear the Fade or slide menus into view check box.
4.	Click OK.
5.	In the System Properties dialog box, click OK.

Now when you click a menu, it will appear almost instantly

Instantly activate a screen saver

2009-10-04T14:13:00.001-07:00

Screen savers were originally intended to prevent monitor burn-in, which could occur if a single image was displayed most of the time. Over time, that image would essentially become etched into the display, making the monitor harder to use. Monitor technology has improved over the years, and screen savers have become more a form of entertainment than a way to avoid burn-in.

Screen savers can be used to display your favorite photos or other images you'd like to see. Sometimes you might want to immediately start your screen saver like you would any other program, without waiting several minutes for it to start automatically.

To add a shortcut to your desktop that you can double-click to instantly start your screen saver

1.	Click the Start button, and then click Search.
2.	In the Search Results window, click All files and folders.
3.	In the All or part of the file name box, type .scr. Then, click Search*.
4.	You will see a list of screen savers in the search results. Pick the screen saver you want. You can preview it by double-clicking it. To add a shortcut to your desktop, right-click the file, click Send To, and then click Desktop.

Now you can instantly start your screen saver by double-clicking the icon on your desktop.

Manually put your computer into hibernation

2009-10-04T14:12:00.002-07:00

When you use a laptop computer, you probably try to keep your battery power usage to a minimum. You may also want to cut down on the energy consumption of your desktop computer. One way to save power is to turn the computer off when you're not using it. If you’d like to save power but do not want to wait for Windows to shut down and restart, you can use the Microsoft Windows XP hibernation capability. Hibernation saves your open windows to your computer's hard disk and shuts the computer down within a few seconds. The next time you start your computer, all of your windows open exactly where you left them.

Hibernation is an alternative to the standby capability and saves your programs and shuts your computer down completely. Hibernation uses no power, and it takes your computer just several seconds to recover from hibernation when you want to use it again. Standby reduces power usage when your computer is not in use by turning off the parts of your computer that use the most energy. Standby uses more power than hibernation, but it takes less time to start a computer from standby than from hibernation.

Note: You can learn more about the standby option in your computer's power management settings in Configure Windows XP power management.

To put your computer into hibernation

Click Start, and then click Turn Off Computer.

Click Hibernate. If Hibernate is not an option, read Configure Windows XP power management for instructions on how to enable hibernation.

Your computer goes into hibernation—a state in which it consumes no power. To wake your computer from hibernation, press the power button. If you like using hibernation, you can configure your computer's power button to automatically put your computer into hibernation.

Unlock toolbars to work with them

2009-10-04T14:12:00.001-07:00

A toolbar is a collection of buttons or icons—usually displayed across the top of the screen—that represents the different tasks you can do within a program. For example, in Microsoft Internet Explorer, there is a toolbar for the standard Internet Explorer command buttons, one for entering an Internet address, and one for quick links you can set up.

When you open a toolbar, it will appear in a particular spot on the screen. If you want to change the location of the toolbar you can move it by dragging it to the new location. You can also resize the toolbar by dragging its edge. If you find a toolbar that cannot be moved or resized, the toolbar may be locked.

To unlock a toolbar

1.	Make sure you have only one window open for the program. (You can look at the taskbar at the bottom of your screen to verify this.) Then, right-click the toolbar.
2.	If Lock the Toolbars appears on the shortcut menu and is selected (a check mark appears to the left of it), click Lock the Toolbars to unlock the toolbar. If you see Lock the Toolbars, but no check mark appears to the left of it, the toolbar is already unlocked.

Note: If Lock the Toolbars does not appear on the shortcut menu, you may not be able to move or resize the toolbar.

If you are able move the toolbar, once you’ve moved the toolbar to the location where you want it, select Lock the Toolbars so that it isn’t inadvertently moved. To make sure the change is permanent, lock the toolbar, exit the program, and then reopen it. The toolbar should be locked.

Add familiar icons back to your desktop

2009-10-04T14:11:00.001-07:00

When you first got your computer, it probably had shortcuts for My Computer, My Documents, My Network Places, and the Recycle Bin on the desktop. If you or someone else removed any of those shortcuts and you’d like to get them back, you can easily restore them.

To restore you icons

1.	Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
2.	In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop.
3.	In the Desktop icons area in the Desktop Items dialog box, select the desktop icons that you want to appear on your desktop.
4.	Click OK.
5.	Click OK again.

The icons you selected will be displayed on your desktop. You can also add shortcuts to your desktop or clean up unused icons on your desktop.

Change the default folder opened in Windows Explorer

2009-10-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

Microsoft Windows Explorer, which is accessible through the Start menu, is the tool you use to look through the files and drives on your computer.

When you start Windows Explorer from the Start menu, it opens your My Documents folder by default. However, a My Documents shortcut already exists on your Start menu. You can put the Windows Explorer shortcut to better use by changing it to display all top-level drives and folders on your system. This change will give you a broad, overall view of all your folders and files.

To change how Windows Explorer opens

Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, right-click Windows Explorer, and then click Properties.

The Target box currently shows %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
At the end of the line, type the characters /n, /e, /select, C:\
The line should now read %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\
Be sure you insert blank spaces in the correct locations. Then, click OK.

Now, when you open Windows Explorer, it will display all of your folders and drives, not just your My Documents folder.

Schedule a weekly defragmentation

2009-10-04T14:09:00.002-07:00

If it seems like your computer has gotten slower since you bought it, it probably has. One of the biggest factors that slows down your computer’s performance is fragmentation, a situation that occurs over time, in which files on your hard drive become divided into small pieces. Your computer must read a file to open, save, or close it. So when it reads each piece of a fragmented file separately, the effect is that the file can seem “slow” when you’re working with it.

Defragmenting your hard drive is the process of putting all the scattered pieces of files back together. Microsoft Windows XP includes a tool that will defragment your hard drive for you. To keep your system performing well, it’s a good idea to have Windows XP automatically defragment your hard drive every week.

To schedule a weekly defragmentation

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	Click Performance and Maintenance.
3.	Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Scheduled Tasks.
4.	In the Scheduled Tasks window, double-click Add Scheduled Task.
5.	In the Scheduled Task Wizard, click Next.
6.	Click Browse.
7.	In the File name box, type %systemroot%\system32\defrag.exe, and then click Open.
8.	Under Perform this task, click Weekly. Then, click Next.
9.	Set the time and day of the week you would like to defragment your hard drive. For best results, choose a time when your computer will be on but you will be away from it. Click Next.
10.	Type your password in both the Enter the password and Confirm password boxes. Then, click Next.
11.	Select the Open advanced properties for this task when I click Finish check box, and then click Finish.
12.	In the Run box, add C: to the existing command. Make sure you include a space before the “C:”. Then, click OK.
13.	In the Set Account Information dialog box, type your password in both the Password and Confirm password boxes. Then, click OK.

Windows XP will defragment your hard drive at the time you have scheduled. During defragmentation, a black window will open. If you happen to be working at your computer when the window opens, you can ignore it. The window will automatically disappear when defragmentation is complete. You can use other programs during defragmentation, but you may prefer to schedule defragmentation at a time when you won’t be using your computer.

Defragmentation works best when you have plenty of free space on your hard drive. For instructions on how to clear free space, read Maintenance tasks that improve performance.

Set up your computer so that only authorized people can use it

2009-10-04T14:09:00.001-07:00

When several people use a single computer, it’s convenient to set up a user account for each person to keep everyone’s setup preferences and documents separate. If someone wants to use your computer briefly he or she can use the Guest user account. By default in Microsoft Window XP, this account is disabled, which means that only specifically authorized users can access your computer.

If you have enabled your Guest account, you should disable the Guest account (once your guest has finished using your computer) to improve your computer’s security.

To disable the Guest account

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	Under Pick a Category, click User Accounts.
3.	Under or pick an account to change, click Guest.
4.	On the What do you want to change about the guest account? page, click Turn off the guest account.

Now the Guest account is disabled. As an added safety precaution, and to prevent users without user accounts from logging on, it’s a good idea to add passwords to every account on your computer.

Move your taskbar to a new spot

2009-10-04T14:08:00.002-07:00

By default, the Microsoft Windows XP taskbar, which shows buttons for each of your open windows, sits at the bottom of your screen. That’s fine if you don’t open many windows. If you have more than six or seven windows open at a time, however, the taskbar can become extremely crowded. To make more room for windows, move your taskbar to the right or left side of the screen, where it will be displayed vertically, giving you room for more than a dozen windows.

Tip: If you have a widescreen monitor, placing your taskbar on the right or left side of the screen can make much more efficient use of screen space.

To move your taskbar

1.	Right-click your taskbar. If there is a check mark beside Lock the Taskbar on the shortcut menu, click Lock the Taskbar to unlock it.
2.	Drag your taskbar to the left, right, or top of your screen. To drag the taskbar, click and hold the mouse button over the taskbar. Then, while holding down the mouse button, drag the taskbar to its new location. When the taskbar is in place, release the mouse button.
3.	Move the pointer over an edge of the taskbar until the pointer changes to a double-headed arrow. Click the mouse button, and drag the edge of the taskbar to widen it. When you can read the window titles, release the mouse button.
4.	Finally, to prevent your taskbar from being accidentally moved, right-click your taskbar, and click Lock the Taskbar on the shortcut menu.

Display the Quick Launch bar

2009-10-04T14:08:00.001-07:00

The Quick Launch bar is a list of shortcuts to your favorite programs. You can use the Quick Launch bar to open programs with a single click, without having to go through the Start menu. Microsoft Windows XP displays the Quick Launch bar by default, so it might already be part of your taskbar. Look for the Quick Launch bar directly to the right of your Start button.

If you have disabled your Quick Launch bar, you can display it by right-clicking your taskbar, clicking Toolbars, and then clicking Quick Launch.

Windows XP displays the Quick Launch bar, which by default shows shortcuts for opening Microsoft Internet Explorer and for displaying your desktop. Other programs might add a shortcut to the Quick Launch bar, too.

To start a program, just click the shortcut.

With the Quick Launch bar displayed on your taskbar, your favorite programs are just a click away.

Add a shortcut to your desktop

2009-10-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

You can create shortcuts on your desktop that enable you to open your favorite files and folders by simply double-clicking your mouse.

To add a shortcut from a file to your desktop

Browse through your My Documents folder, and find the file that you want to create a shortcut to.

Right-click the file that you want to be able to open from your desktop, click Send To, and then click Desktop.

You’ll see the shortcut on your desktop.

Note: The shortcut icon has an arrow in the lower-left corner to indicate that it’s a shortcut rather than the actual file. You can open a shortcut just like you would any other file by double-clicking it. However, if you delete the shortcut, you won’t remove the file itself.

For more information about shortcuts, read Working with icons and shortcuts.

Time zones, Daylight Saving Time, and e-mail

2009-10-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Time zones and Daylight Saving Time (DST) are sometimes confusing. If you travel between time zones, do you set your clock forward or back? If a friend sends you an e-mail at noon, whose time zone is reflected in Microsoft Outlook—yours or your friend’s? What day should you change your clock for daylight-saving time, and do you move forward or back an hour?

Fortunately, Microsoft Windows XP helps you answer these questions by automatically translating times from other computers into your local time zone. Windows XP can also automatically adjust your clock for DST. Traveling between time zones is easy because you can select the new time zone, and Windows XP sets your clock correctly.

Your computer keeps track of time using Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Your computer automatically adjusts the time on your system clock, in incoming e-mail messages, in the Event Viewer administrative tool, and elsewhere to the correct time zone. It is important for you to set your time zone correctly and to update it when you travel. If your time zone isn't kept up to date—even if your clock is set correctly on your computer—the time stamps on e-mail messages you send will be wrong.

For example, if you are in the Eastern United States time zone (GMT-5), and a friend in the Pacific United States time zone (GMT-8) sends you an e-mail at 8:00 A.M. (your friend’s time), Outlook converts the time to 11:00 A.M. to reflect your local time zone. Similarly, if you monitor events on remote computers in other time zones, Event Viewer always displays those event dates and times in your local time zone.

How to change the time zone

To change the time zone and enable automatic adjustment for DST

1.	Right-click your system clock, and then click Adjust Date/Time.
2.	Click the Time Zone tab. Click the list, and then click on your time zone.
3.	Select the Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes check box, if your region uses daylight-saving time.
4.	Click OK.

Now, all references to time reflect your new time zone. This includes the times shown for incoming e-mail messages, event times in Event Viewer, and when scheduled tasks run.

Note: If you use Event Viewer, DST can cause unexpected behavior because Event Viewer changes the displayed time (and possibly the date) for events that have already occurred. For example, if an event occurred at 6:00 P.M. in standard time, after you move into DST, that event appears as if it had occurred at 7:00 P.M.

Create a personal screen saver using your photos

2009-10-04T14:05:00.002-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

If you like using a screen saver and have digital photos on your computer, you can easily make your own screen saver using the pictures that you have stored on your PC. You can set up your screen saver in Microsoft Windows XP to display a slide show of some or all of your pictures when you’re not using your computer.

To set up a My Pictures slide show

Right-click on the desktop, and then click Properties.

In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Screen Saver tab. Then, click the Screen saver list, and click My Pictures Slideshow.

Click OK.

The next time your screen saver starts, you’ll see a slide show of all the pictures in your My Pictures folder. If you want to see your pictures right away, follow these instructions to add a shortcut to your desktop that immediately starts the slide show.

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

2009-10-04T14:05:00.001-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

Microsoft Windows XP includes the On-Screen Keyboard for those who prefer using a mouse or other pointing device (rather than a physical keyboard) to enter text. Different typing modes allow you to select a key by clicking, hovering over a key for a specific number of seconds, or using a joystick. You can start the On-Screen Keyboard using the Start menu. If you use the On-Screen Keyboard regularly, add a shortcut to your desktop to make it easier to open.

Start the On-Screen Keyboard using the Start menu

To launch the On-Screen Keyboard

Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Accessibility, and then On-Screen Keyboard.

The On-Screen Keyboard and On-Screen Keyboard dialog box appear. Click OK.

You can now use the On-Screen Keyboard by clicking the buttons with your mouse. To hold down the SHIFT, CTRL, or ALT keys, just click them once, and the keys will stay pressed until you click the next key.

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Create a desktop shortcut for the On-Screen Keyboard

To make a shortcut on your desktop to launch the On-Screen Keyboard

Right-click your desktop, point to New, and click Shortcut.

In the location field, type osk. Then click Next.

Type On-Screen Keyboard. Then, click Finish.

That's it! The shortcut to the On-Screen Keyboard utility is on your desktop.

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How to change the typing mode

On-Screen Keyboard has three different modes:

•	Clicking mode. This is the default mode in which you use a mouse or other pointing device to click keys.
•	Hovering mode. You use a mouse or joystick to point to a key for a predefined period of time, and the selected character is typed automatically.
•	Scanning mode. On-Screen Keyboard continually scans the keyboard and highlights areas where you can type keyboard characters by pressing a keyboard shortcut or by using a switch-input device.

To change typing mode

Click the Settings menu, and then click Typing Mode.

In the Typing Mode dialog box, click your preferred method of selecting keys. Then, click OK.

The On-Screen Keyboard simplifies text entry for users who prefer using a pointing device. For more information about Windows XP accessibility features, read Set up accessibility features.

Create a keyboard shortcut to open a folder

2009-10-04T14:04:00.002-07:00

Do you have a folder that you'd like to be able to open quickly and easily whenever you want? If you create a keyboard shortcut for that folder, you can open it anytime by pressing a key combination, no matter which other programs you have open.

To create a keyboard shortcut to open a folder

1.	Click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
2.	In Windows Explorer (the program that appears when you open folders such as My Computer, My Documents, My Pictures, or My Music), right-click the folder to which you want instant access, click Send To, and then click Desktop.
3.	On your desktop, right-click the new shortcut, and then click Properties.
4.	On the Shortcut tab, click in the Shortcut key box. Now press the letter on your keyboard that you want to use to open the folder. Note: In the Shortcut key box, Microsoft Windows XP automatically adds CTRL+ALT before the key you press, because to use the shortcut to open a folder, you have to hold down both the CTRL and ALT keys simultaneously, while pressing the letter you chose. This way, your folder won't open every time you type that letter.
5.	Click OK.
6.	Now test your shortcut. Hold down the CTRL and ALT keys, and then press the letter you chose.

This tip can be applied to folders, programs, and text file shortcuts that are placed on the desktop. For more keyboard shortcuts, read Tired of chasing your mouse? Use keyboard shortcuts.

Display the volume control icon in the taskbar

2009-10-04T14:04:00.001-07:00

If you’re listening to music on your computer, and you want a quick way to turn the volume up or down, you can create a shortcut icon for your volume control and put it in the taskbar. That way it’s always right at your fingertips. Otherwise, you’ll need to go into the Sounds and Audio Devices category in your Control Panel whenever you want to adjust the volume.

To add the volume control icon to your taskbar

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	Click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.
3.	Under Pick a task, click Change the speaker settings.
4.	In the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties box, click the Volume tab, and select the Place volume icon in the taskbar check box. Then, click OK.

Now when you want to adjust the volume, you can just click the speaker icon in the taskbar and move the slider.

Note: You might need to click on the left-facing arrow button (<) on the taskbar to display the audio icon.

To learn how to organize this section of your taskbar, read Organize your notification area.

Add a picture to a folder

2009-10-04T14:03:00.001-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

Microsoft Windows XP usually shows icons for folders like My Music and My Pictures. If a folder contains pictures, Windows XP displays random thumbnails from within the folder. You can replace these icons with custom pictures to make browsing your files more fun, and to make it easier for children to find and open files.

Note: Your picture is visible only when you're browsing folders with the Thumbnails view. To access the Thumbnails view, click Thumbnails on the View menu.

To add a picture to a folder

1.	In Windows Explorer (the program that appears when you open folders such as My Computer, My Documents, My Pictures, or My Music), right-click the folder you want to add a picture to, and then click Properties.
2.	In the Properties dialog box, click the Customize tab. If there is no Customize tab, you cannot add a picture to that folder. You can add pictures to other folders, however.
3.	On the Customize tab, click Choose Picture.
4.	In the Browse dialog box, click the picture you want to use, and then click Open.
5.	Click OK.

When you view the folder using Thumbnails view, Windows displays a thumbnail of the picture you selected.

Change the picture on your Welcome screen

2009-10-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

By default, each user account in Microsoft Windows XP has a standard picture (such as a chess set, a dog, or an astronaut) associated with it. If you'd like to make the picture more personal, you can add your own image for each account. Changing pictures is fun, and it makes it easier for young children to use your computer.

To change the picture on the Welcome screen

1.	Log on to your computer as an administrator.
2.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3.	Under Pick a category, click User Accounts.
4.	Under or pick an account to change, click the account you want to choose a picture for.
5.	Under What do you want to change..., click Change the picture.
6.	Click Browse for more pictures.
7.	Click the picture you want to display for that account, and then click Open.

Windows XP displays the picture on the Welcome screen for the account you selected. To choose pictures for other accounts, return to step 3.

Turn on the StickyKeys feature

2009-10-04T14:01:00.002-07:00

Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time by putting files or commands you use often right at your fingertips. Some keyboard shortcuts, however, require you to hold down three keys at a time. If you want to use a keyboard shortcut but find it difficult to hold down two or three keys at the same time, StickyKeys makes it easy. When a shortcut requires a key combination, the StickyKeys feature in Microsoft Windows XP lets you press a key, such as SHIFT, CTRL, or ALT, and keep it active until another key is pressed. StickyKeys is also helpful when you want to type uppercase letters without holding down SHIFT while you press each letter key.

To activate StickyKeys

Press the SHIFT key five times. A dialog box opens with instructions on how to set up the StickyKeys feature.

Click OK.

An icon (a group of squares) appears in the notification area.

With StickyKeys enabled, you can press and release the SHIFT, CTRL, ALT, or Windows logo key, and Windows XP will hold the key down for you until you press the next key. For example, to type a capital A, you could press and release SHIFT, and then press and release the A key.

To turn off StickyKeys, press the SHIFT key five times, and then click Cancel in the StickyKeys dialog box.

Sort programs on your All Programs menu alphabetically

2009-10-04T14:01:00.001-07:00

Finding programs on your All Programs menu can become difficult if you have a lot of programs installed. When you install new programs, Microsoft Windows XP adds each new item to the end of the All Programs menu. You can, however, quickly sort the items on your All Programs menu in alphabetical order.

To sort items on your All Programs menu alphabetically

Click Start, click All Programs, and then right-click any folder or icon.

On the shortcut menu, click Sort by Name.

That's it—your programs are instantly alphabetized. Enjoy your newly organized All Programs menu.

This same tip works for your Favorites menu in Internet Explorer. In both cases, you'll probably need to go back periodically and sort the lists again, because Windows XP doesn't automatically keep the list in alphabetical order.

Install Windows XP Home Edition Backup software

2009-10-04T14:00:00.002-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

Computers, like any appliance, can break down or fail. To protect your important files from computer failure, you should make backup copies of your files. Each edition of Microsoft Windows XP—except Windows XP Home Edition—includes Windows Backup, a program that helps you save your files to an external disk. If you use Windows XP Home Edition, you can manually install Windows Backup.

To manually install Windows Backup

1.	Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD drive. If Windows XP Setup does not appear after several seconds, open My Computer, right-click your CD drive, and then click AutoPlay.
2.	In the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP window, click Perform additional tasks.
3.	Click Browse this CD.
4.	Double-click VALUEADD, double-click MSFT, and then double-click NTBACKUP to open the \VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP folder.
5.	In the NTBACKUP folder, double-click NTBACKUP.
6.	After setup is complete, click Finish.

You can now start Windows Backup by clicking Start, pointing to All Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking Backup. For more information about protecting your files from computer failure, read Back up your files.

Adjust the vertical space between icons

2009-10-04T14:00:00.001-07:00

If you add shortcuts to your desktop to launch programs or to open folders, your desktop could quickly become filled with icons. If you'd like more icons to fit on your desktop, you can adjust the spacing between them so that they sit closer together.

To adjust the vertical space between icons

1.	Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
2.	In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Appearance tab. Then, click Advanced.
3.	Click the Item list, and then click Icon Spacing (Vertical).
4.	In the Size box, decrease the number to move icons closer together, or increase the number to add space between icons. (The smaller the number, the less space there will be between the icons. Conversely, the larger the number, the greater the space will be between the icons.)
5.	Click OK.
6.	To change the spacing for your existing desktop icons to the spacing you specified in step 4, right-click your desktop, click Arrange Icons By on the shortcut menu, and then click Align to Grid.
7.	Next, right-click your desktop, click Arrange Icons By on the shortcut menu, and then click Auto Arrange.

Microsoft Windows XP arranges your desktop using the new icon spacing you specified. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to return your desktop settings to their original state.

On a monitor with 800 × 600 resolution, changing the default icon spacing from 43 to 39 squeezes eight icons into each column, up from the original seven icons.

Help save energy and the environment by putting your monitor to sleep

2009-10-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

You can save electricity and reduce your impact on the environment by activating your monitor’s sleep feature in Microsoft Windows XP. Activating sleep settings on just one computer may prevent considerable CO2 emissions each year. Letting your monitor sleep allows it to go into a low-power mode when you’re not using it. To wake your monitor, you simply touch your mouse or keyboard.

To set Windows XP to automatically turn your monitor off when your computer isn’t being used

1.	Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
2.	In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Screen Saver tab. Then, click the Power button.
3.	In the Power Options Properties dialog box, click the Turn off monitor list, and select a time to automatically turn off your monitor. Five minutes is a realistic setting. If you have a portable computer, set the time for both Plugged in and Running on batteries.
4.	Click OK twice.

Windows XP will let your monitor sleep after your computer has been idle for the specified number of minutes. To reactivate your monitor, move your mouse, or press a key. You’ll save almost as much power as if you had manually turned your monitor off, but you won’t have to press your monitor’s power button.

How to quickly open the ClipBook Viewer

2009-10-04T13:56:00.002-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

When you use the Cut or Copy command on the Edit menu, the material you cut or copy is automatically copied to the Clipboard. The Clipboard is a temporary holding area for the items you've cut or copied. You can use the ClipBook Viewer to see the information that you've copied to the Clipboard.

You can also store information permanently in your local ClipBook and share it with other users. The local ClipBook opens when you start ClipBook Viewer.

The ClipBook Viewer isn't listed in the Start menu in Microsoft Windows XP, so if you want quick access to it, just create a shortcut on your desktop.

To open the ClipBook View

1.	Right-click your desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.
2.	In the location field, type %windir%\system32\clipbrd.exe
3.	Click Next.
4.	Click Finish.
5.	Now you can double-click the clipbrd shortcut on your desktop to launch the ClipBook Viewer.

Organize your notification area

2009-10-04T13:56:00.001-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

The notification area is the collection of small icons near your system clock, in the bottom-right corner of your screen. After you've used your computer for a few months, the notification area can become cluttered with icons for different programs you may have installed. Each icon takes up space on your Microsoft Windows XP taskbar, which leaves less room for your program buttons.

Fortunately, you can free up space in the notification area by hiding icons that you don't use very often.

To organize your notification area

1.	Right-click the system clock, and then click Properties on the shortcut menu.
2.	In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, click Customize.
3.	The Customize Notifications dialog box appears. For each icon you want to hide, click the Behavior list, and then click Always hide. For each icon you want to always show, click the Behavior list, and then click Always show.
4.	Click OK twice.

Your notification area will be much less crowded, giving you more room for program buttons on your taskbar. To show the icons you have hidden, click the left arrow beside the notification area.

Format backup drives with NTFS

2009-10-04T13:55:00.001-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

Backing up your important files regularly is the key to recovering from a serious system failure. And, with Microsoft Windows XP, the most effective way to back up your computer is to copy your files to an external hard drive using Windows Backup. Before you back up your computer for the first time, you'll want to be sure your external hard drive is formatted with the New Technology File System (NTFS).

There are two ways to enable NTFS on your external hard drive: you can format it or convert it. If you have not yet copied any files on your external drive, you should format it with NTFS. Formatting is preferable to converting because it will make the drive run faster, among other benefits. Formatting a hard drive permanently removes all files, so you should not format the drive if you have saved anything on it (without making a copy of the files first). If you don't want to overwrite the data, you should convert the drive to NTFS instead.

Note: File systems define how your computer writes (or saves) files to a hard drive. Windows XP supports two file systems for external drives: FAT32 and NTFS. External hard drives typically come formatted with the FAT32 file system because it is compatible with earlier versions of Windows. However, the NTFS file system is superior to the FAT32 file system in many ways. Most importantly, NTFS can support files larger than 4 GB in size, which provides plenty of room for your backups.

Format a backup drive with NTFS

Before you begin, connect your external hard drive.

To format the drive with NTFS

1.	Log on to your computer as an administrator.
2.	Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
3.	Under Storage, click Disk Management.
4.	If the Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard appears, click Next. If the wizard does not appear, skip to step 8.
5.	On the Select Disks to Initialize page, click Next.
6.	On the Select Disks to Convert page, click Next.
7.	On the Completing the Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard page, click Finish.
8.	Right-click your external drive (which will probably be drive E or drive F), and then click Format.
9.	In the Format dialog box, type a name for your external hard drive, such as Backup Drive. Then, click OK.
10.	Click OK again.

Windows XP formats your external hard drive. Within a few minutes, your drive will be ready for you to use.

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Convert a backup drive to NTFS

If you have already copied files to your external hard drive, and you don't want to delete them, you can convert your hard drive to NTFS.

To convert an external drive to NTFS

1.	Log on to your computer as an administrator.
2.	Click Start, right-click My Computer.
3.	In the My Computer window, make a note of the drive letter and label assigned to your external drive. Usually, the drive letter will be E or F. The drive letter will not be C (that's the hard drive inside your computer). The label is the word between the drive picture and the drive letter. Some drives may not have a label.
4.	Click Start, click Run, and then type convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs For example, if your external drive is drive E, you would type convert E: /fs:ntfs Then, click OK.
5.	A command window appears. Type the label for your external drive, and then press ENTER. If your drive does not have a label, just press ENTER.
6.	If a message warns you that the volume is in use by another process, close any other open windows. Then, press Y and then ENTER.

Windows XP converts your external drive to NTFS. When the conversion is done, the window automatically closes. Your drive is ready for your backups.

Add a Map Drive button to the toolbar

2009-10-04T13:54:00.002-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

If you have more than one computer running Microsoft Windows XP connected to your home network, you can share folders between them so you can open files on one computer even if they’re stored on another. To make it easier to connect to a shared folder, you can add a Map Drive button to your Windows Explorer toolbar. This button provides a fast link to the shared folder.

To add a Map Drive button

1.	Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2.	Right-click the toolbar, and then click Customize.
3.	The Customize Toolbar dialog box appears. In the Available toolbar buttons list, click Map Drive, and then click Add. To be able to remove mapped drives using a toolbar button, select Disconnect, and then click Add.
4.	Click Close.

The Map Drive button appears on your toolbar. To map a network drive, click the Map Drive toolbar button. The toolbar button has exactly the same effect as clicking the Tools menu and then clicking Map Network Drive.

For more information about customizing toolbars, read Change your toolbars.

Create a password reset disk

2009-10-04T13:54:00.001-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

If you're running Microsoft Windows XP Professional, you can create a password reset disk that—if you ever forget your password—you can use to log on to your computer. If you forget your password but don’t have a password reset disk, you'll have to reinstall Windows XP to use your computer.

To create a password reset disk

1.	Log on to your computer as an administrator.
2.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3.	Under Pick a category, click User Accounts.
4.	In the User Accounts window, click the account name that you want to create a password reset disk for.
5.	Under the Related Tasks section, click Prevent a forgotten password.
6.	On the Welcome to the Forgotten Password Wizard page, click Next.
7.	Insert a floppy disk into your disk drive. If necessary, select the disk drive you want to use, and then click Next. Note: If your computer doesn’t have a floppy disk drive, you won’t be able to use this wizard. If you cannot install a floppy disk drive on your computer or laptop, you could consider using a USB-connected floppy disk drive.
8.	Type your password, and then click Next.
9.	After the Forgotten Password Wizard creates your password reset disk, click Next.
10.	Click Finish.

Remove your password reset disk and store it in a safe, secure place. Storing your disk in a secure place is very important because anyone who uses the disk can access your computer without knowing your password. If you ever forget your password, you can use this disk to reset and change your password.

Add an item to the Send To menu

2009-10-04T13:53:00.001-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

When you right-click a file name or a thumbnail in Microsoft Windows XP, you see a shortcut menu for that file. One of the items on the menu is Send To, which enables you to quickly e-mail a file, copy it to your desktop, or copy it to a floppy disk.

Sometimes what you really want to do is to save a copy of the file to a specific folder on your computer. If you have a folder where you frequently place files, you can add that folder’s name to the list of locations on the Send To menu. This can save you the time of opening another Windows Explorer window and copying the file from one folder to another.

For example, you could create a My Pictures folder and then use the Send To menu to copy your best pictures to that folder.

To add a folder to the Send To menu

1.	Click Start. Make note of your user name ("Administrator" in the example below) which is displayed at the top of the Start menu. Then, click My Computer.
2.	In the My Computer window, click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
3.	Click the View tab. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders, and then click OK.
4.	In the My Computer window, double-click Local Disk (C:), double-click Documents and Settings, double-click your user name, and then double-click SendTo.
5.	Click the File menu, click New, and then click Shortcut.
6.	The Create Shortcut Wizard appears. Click the Browse button.
7.	In the Browse For Folder dialog box, click the folder you want to add to your Send To menu, and then click OK.
8.	Click Next.
9.	Click Finish.

Now when you right-click a file and click Send To, the destination you selected will be an option on the Send To menu. You can create shortcuts to local or network programs, files, folders, computers, or Internet addresses.

Activate the Guest user account

2009-10-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

Microsoft Windows XP includes a Guest user account, so people can use your computer without having a permanent user account. By default, the Guest user account is disabled, meaning that only users you've specifically authorized to do so can use your computer. If you want guests to be able to use your computer, you can enable the Guest user account. When logged on as a Guest, your friend can use your computer, but your friend cannot access your password-protected files.

To enable Guest access

1.	Log on as an administrator.
2.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3.	Click User Accounts.
4.	Under or pick an account to change, click Guest.
5.	On the Do you want to turn on the guest account? page, click the Turn On the Guest Account button.

Now the Guest account is enabled. Alternately, you can disable the Guest account and set up your computer so that only one person can use it.

Log on as an administrator

2009-10-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

Published: September 7, 2006

Microsoft Windows XP has two types of user accounts: limited and computer administrator. Limited accounts are more secure because they offer some protection from spyware and viruses. For that reason, you should use a limited account for your day-to-day computing. For more information about user accounts, read Set up user accounts and log on to your computer.

Limited accounts are called that because they are limited—you can’t install software or change certain computer settings when you’re logged on with a limited account. That’s great if you’re creating an account for your kids and you don’t want them making any changes to your computer. But sometimes you need the unrestricted access a computer administrator account provides.

First, determine whether your current account is a computer administrator account. If the account is, you can install software and change settings using your current user account. If your account is not an administrator account, you can log on as an administrator by following a special logon process.

How to determine if your user account is a computer administrator account

To determine whether your current account is a computer administrator account

Click Start, and note your user name at the top of the Start menu. Then, click Control Panel.

Click User Accounts.

Below your user name, you should see either Limited account or Computer administrator.

If your account is a limited account, you cannot install software or change certain computer settings. You can either log on using one of the computer administrator accounts (as described in Set up user accounts and log on to your computer), or you can log on using the special Administrator account as described in the next section.

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How to log on with the Administrator account

All Windows XP computers have a special user account named Administrator (some computer manufacturers might rename it).

To log on with the Administrator account so that you can install software or change computer settings

If you are currently logged on to your computer, click Start, and then click Log Off. When prompted, click Switch User.

Note: If your computer is joined to an Active Directory, the Fast Users Switching feature will be disabled. This is a common change made to computers used for business. In fact, it happens automatically when a computer joins an Active Directory domain. However, this setting is not the default setting. Almost all computers in home environments will have Fast User Switching enabled.

On the Welcome screen, press CTRL+ALT+DEL on your keyboard by holding down both the CTRL and ALT keys and then pressing DELETE.

The Log On to Windows dialog box appears. In the User name box, type Administrator. In the Password box, type your Administrator password, if you created one during Windows XP setup. If you have not assigned a password, or you do not know your password, leave the Password box blank. Click OK.

Windows XP logs you on using the Administrator account. You should use the Administrator account only when installing software or changing computer settings. When you are browsing the Web, reading e-mail, or performing other day-to-day computer tasks, you should be logged on using a limited account. For more information, read Set up user accounts and log on to your computer.

Disable the Turn off computer button on the Welcome screen

2009-10-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Disable the Turn off computer button on the Welcome screen

Published: September 7, 2006

By default, the Microsoft Windows XP logon screen displays a Turn off computer button. This display seems convenient, until one of your kids happens to shut down your computer and close all your programs. To prevent this from happening, you can disable the Turn off computer button. You can still shut down your computer; you just have to log on with a computer administrator account first.

To disable the Turn off computer button on the Welcome screen

1.	Log on to your computer as an administrator. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	Click Performance and Maintenance.
3.	Click Administrative Tools.
4.	Double-click Local Security Policy.
5.	Expand Local Policies by clicking the plus sign next to it, and then click Security Options.
6.	In the right pane, double-click the Shutdown: Allow system to be shut down without having to log on policy.
7.	Click Disabled, and then click OK.

Windows XP removes the Turn off computer button from the Welcome screen—so no more shutting down without logging on!

Auto logon for Windows XP

2009-10-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Would you rather not have to log on after your computer starts? If you’re the only person who uses your computer, you can make life a little easier by skipping the Welcome screen completely and having Microsoft Windows XP take you straight to your desktop.

To automatically log on to Windows XP upon startup

1.	Click Start, and then click Run. Note: Remember your user name at the top of the Start menu, because you’ll need it later.
2.	In the Open box, type control userpasswords2 and click OK.
3.	Clear the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer check box. Click OK.
4.	Click the User name box, type the user name that was displayed on the Start menu in step 1. If you normally type a password to log on, type your password in both the Password and Confirm Password boxes. Otherwise, leave these boxes blank. Click OK.

Auto logon now allows anyone to start and use your computer without typing a password.

Note: Keep in mind that you should not enable auto logon if you need privacy for any files on your computer. If you need to maintain privacy, create separate user accounts for everyone in your home, and protect your account with a password.

Excel Password Recovery Instructions (.xls)

2009-10-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

Often when an employee departs, they take important Excel passwords with them. This guide outlines how to use a simple Excel password recovery application to crack lost or forgotten passwords, allowing you to unlock password-encrypted Microsoft Excel documents quickly as possible.

Step 1: Download and Install the Office Password Recovery Utility

To perform the following recovery steps, you'll need to grab the download of Office Password Recovery Pro, available directly here. (2.1Mb)

Once you've downloaded the program, run the install with the default options.

Step 2: Navigate to the Protected File and Begin the Recovery Process

Click the Open button on the top left, navigate to the protected spreadsheet file:

The Open button launches the Recovery Wizard.

The Wizard gives you the option of simply decrypting the spreadsheet (aka. removing the password protection entirely) or displaying the original document password:

Recovery Option 1: 100% Instant Document Decryption

This option is the quickest way to access your file, but strips all password protection from the document, so you'll need to setup password protection on the file again if you want to lock it down in the future.

With this option, the application securely pings the Password Solutions' server to determine the type of encryption used on the file and determines the best decryption method for removing the password from the Excel workbook:

When prompted, choose where you’d like to save the unlocked, decrypted version and hit OK.

Success! The program now offers to automatically open your unlocked document.

Recovery Option 2: 'Recover the Password to Open'

If the document is password-protected and you’d like to recover the original password (perhaps for use in opening other Office documents) select Recover the Password to Open.

You’ll then be asked a couple questions to aid in determining the password schema. These are geared at narrowing the applications search for possible matches, but are not required.

If you don’t have any idea, simply leave all default selections, press the Next button twice and then click Finish.

Office Password Recovery then starts attempting to crack the password using a number of built-in 'attack schemes' and millions of unique password combinations.

Once your password has been recovered, the program clearly notifies you of the results:

Note: Even the passwords on individual sheets within your Excel workbook are recovered, giving you complete access across the entire workbook.

If you’re stuck and just can’t find that password, we highly recommend downloading Office Password Recovery Pro and running through these steps.