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Category: Windows 7 support

  • Manage Backup Size – Windows 7 Tips

    INFORMATION:
    This article will show you how to manage the size of your backup on your windows 7 machine

    Sometimes you may need to recover some disk space and Windows 7 allows you to manage the size of your backups.  In the Backup and Restore section click on the Manage Space link. 

    Your given a summary of the backup location and what is taking up space from the backup. 
    Click on the View backups button to check the different dated backups where you can delete older ones if needed.

    You can also change how windows retains older system images.
    Backing up data is one of the most important but overlooked tasks for a computer user.  If you have another backup app you might not consider letting Windows do it, but overall, the new backup and restore utility in Windows 7 is much better than previous versions. 

  • Backup and Restore – Windows 7 Tips

    How To Use Backup and Restore in Windows 7

    The backup utilities in previous versions of Windows have been less than spectacular resulting in a nice market for third party applications.  Today we take a look at the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 7  that may be their best backup tool yet.

    Set the Backup
    To set up a backup in Windows 7 open up Computer right-click on your local drive and select Properties.  Then click on the Tools tab and click the Back up now button.
    In the Back up or restore your files window click the link to set up a backup.
    Windows will search for a suitable drive to store the backup or you can also choose a location on your network.  If you backup to a network location you might need the password to the share.
    You can have Windows choose what to backup or you can choose the files and directories.  Because I like more user control for this tutorial I am choosing what to backup but it’s completely up to you.
     

    Note:  If you let Windows choose it will not backup Program Files, anything formatted with the FAT file system, files in the Recycle Bin, or any temp files that are 1GB or more.

    Select the files and folder to include in the backup.  Also notice you can select the option to create an image of your local drive.
    Now review the backup job and make sure everything looks correct. 
    Here you can also schedule the days and times the backup occurs.
    Save the backup settings and kick off your first backup and while it runs you can monitor the progress.
    Click the View Details button to see exactly what is being backup during the process.
    When the backup is complete you will see the two backup files and image folder if you created one.
    Double click on the backup file and can restore files or manage the size of the backups folder.
    Restore Files from Backup
    If you need to go back and restore a file from a backup click on Restore my files in the Backup and Restore Center.
    Now you can browse or search the most recent backup for a file or folder your missing. 

    Next you can restore them back to the original location or choose a different spot then click Restore.

    Progress of the restoration will vary depending on the size of the data and location it’s restoring from.

  • Restrict Access To Drives – Windows 7 Tips

    How To Restrict Access To Drives In My Computer In Windows
    If you have a shared or public computer that several people use, you might want to restrict access to it’s drives to prevent users from deleting important data. Today we look at restricting access to some or all drives on the machine using Local Group Policy.


    Note: This method uses Local Group Policy Editor which is not available on home versions of Windows 7 or Vista
    First type gpedit.msc in the search box of the Start Menu and hit Enter.
    Now navigate to User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Windows Explorer. Then on the right side under Setting, double click on Prevent access to drives from My Computer.
    Select Enable then under Options from the drop down menu you can restrict a certain drive, a combination of drives, or restrict them all. The main drive you would probably want to restrict is the C:\ drive or which ever lettered drive Windows is installed on. Restricting all drives means they can’t access the CD or DVD drive, and cannot use a flash drive if they need to get files from it.
    Note: This setting won’t prevent users from using programs that access the local drives.
    The restrictions take effect immediately, no restart is required. When a user opens up My Computer they’ll be able to see which drives are listed, but when they try to access a restricted drive, they’ll get the following error message.
    For the screenshots in this tutorial we used Windows 7 Ultimate, but this process also works with XP Professional and Vista (not in Home versions) the screens just look different.
    Local Group Policy allows you to customize several settings for how you want to administer your machine. Restricting access to certain drives in addition to other security and access measures, can help  keep a shared computer stable and secure.

  • Save searches – Windows 7 Tips

    How to Save Searches in Windows 7

    If you regularly search for a certain group of files in Windows 7, saving searches is a great way to access them more quickly. Here we’ll take a look at how to share and organize searches in Windows 7.

    Saving Searches
    Anytime you are performing a search, you can click on the Save Search button in Explorer.
    Now when you are in Explorer you will see the save searches under Favorites.
    Another way to save a search is dragging the search icon in the address bar into your listed favorites list. Like in this example where I searched for “type:flac” and drag the icon to the list.
    You might also want to create shortcuts to the searches on your desktop for easy access.
    If you have a lot of files on your machine and need a way to access them quickly, saving searches is a great way to increase productivity.

  • Windows 7 Tips

    How to Schedule Disk Cleanup in Windows 7

    Schedule Disk Cleanup Basic
    Windows includes some handy tools to help keep your machine operating smoothly. One such tool is Disk Cleanup that can remove temp and old files to help you reclaim some hard drive space. You might want to set it up to run weekly or monthly depending on what works best for you. To schedule Disk Cleanup to run on a regular basis we need to schedule a task. For this example we’re using Windows 7, but the steps are essentially the same in Vista as well.

    Click on the Start Menu and enter task scheduler into the search box and hit Enter.
    The Task Scheduler opens and you’ll want to click on Action then select Create Basic Task.
    The Create Basic Task Wizard comes up and from here type in a name for the task and a description then click Next.
    Now select how often you want Disk Cleanup to run…Weekly, Daily, Monthly, One Time etc. There is not right or wrong answer to how often you run it. It’s completely up to you and you might want to try out some different schedules. In this example we’re going to select weekly.
    Since we set it up to run weekly we need to schedule it when to start, how often it reoccurs, and which day of the week to run it.
    Next under Action select Start a program
    In the Program/script field type in cleanmgr.exe
    Or you can hit browse and select Disk Cleanup which is in C:\Windows|system32\cleanmgr.exe
    Under Program/script you’ll see the path to Disk Cleanup as C:\Windows\system32\cleanmgr.exe
    Then you’re shown a summary of the scheduled task and if everything looks correct click on Finish.
    For this basic setting we scheduled it for a time when we know the computer will be in use. When it’s time for the Scheduled Task to occur it will pop up and you can run it by selecting the drive to clean up.
    Disk Cleanup starts its calculations
    Now the results and you can choose the files to delete.

  • Windows 7 Tips

    Keep Your Windows Computer Secure on Public Wireless Hotspots

    If you have a Netbook or Laptop that you would like to use on a Public Wi-Fi hotspot, there are security precautions you need to take. Here we look at keeping your computer secure at public Wi-Fi hotspots.

    Public Wi-Fi hotspots seem to be available in more locations than ever before. If you move between them a lot or are just getting started, following these security precautions can help keep your machine safe and secure. For this article we look at security steps in Windows 7, but most of these tips and suggestions will work in XP, Vista, and even other operating systems as well.
    Enable Your Firewall
    Whether you use the Firewall built into Windows or a 3rd-party app like ZoneAlarm, make sure it’s enabled before signing on to a public hotspot. Click on Start then Control Panel, make sure View by large icons is selected then click Windows Firewall.
    Then select Turn Windows Firewall on or off
    Then make sure it’s turned on under Home or Work and Public network location settings.

  • Windows 7 Tips

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    List of Anti-Virus Software Compatible with Windows 7
    Our Recommendation
    If you want something that’s going to work really well, and is totally free, you should check out the free Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus solution, which isn’t going to slow down your PC.

    Windows AntiVirus Detection
    When you first install Windows 7, you’ll get a popup balloon message telling you that you need to find an antivirus program online… notice the wrench on the balloons that will let you turn them off easily.
    Once you’ve installed a compatible package, the message will go away and you’ll see a message in the Action Center telling you that “Virus protection” is On:
    The packages should also hook into the Windows 7 update mechanism and let you know when your virus definitions are out of date.
    AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
    AVG Free is the most popular anti-virus software out there, and not only does it work just perfectly under Windows 7, but it’s on the list of a small number of software packages that are officially compatible per Microsoft.
    You’ll notice that it also offers Anti-Spyware protection, and Windows recommends that you only run a single Anti-Spyware application:
    Avira AntiVirus Personal Edition
    Avira is a popular freeware antivirus solution that seems to be a hit on our forum, with a number of the regulars in favor of it. This software works without any issues.
    Norton AntiVirus
    Hardly needing an introduction, Norton AntiVirus works just fine. They are also on Microsoft’s list of compatible software for Windows 7.
    You’ll notice that this provides anti-spyware protection, so you’d likely want to disable Windows Defender for performance reasons.
    Kapersky Anti-Virus
    This antivirus software package is also on the Microsoft official list of Windows 7 compatible software.

  • Windows 7 Tips

    Make Now Playing Mode in Windows Media Player Display on Top
    If you like to view album art and the visualizations in Windows Media Player in Now Playing mode, you might want to set it to always display on top of other windows. Here we take a look at how to set it up on WMP 12 in Windows 7.

    Open Windows Media Player to Library view and go to Organize \ Options.
    Now in the Options window click on the Player tab and under Player settings check the box next to Keep Now Playing on top of other windows then click OK.
    Now WMP will always stay on top of all the other application windows you have open.
    If you only want it always on top during some computing sessions, and easier method is to right-click in the Now Playing window, then check or uncheck Always show Now Playing on top from the context menu.
    Using the Right-click method is probably the easiest way to quickly enable or disable the setting. If you want to make sure WMP stays on top of other windows while your working, this will do the trick.

  • Windows 7 Tips

    Make Sure Microsoft Security Essentials Has Updated Definition Files

    If you’re a new user of Microsoft Security Essentials, you might be unclear on how to update definition files manually or automatically. Here we’ll show you a few methods you can use to make sure MSE is always up to date.

    If MSE needs to be updated it will show in the Taskbar as an orange exclamation point icon letting you know it needs attention.
    Update MSE 1.0 and 2.0 Beta Definitions Manually
    There are a couple of ways you can update MSE 1.0 and the 2.0 beta manually. First you can open it up and go to the Update tab and click the Update button.

    Another method is to use Windows Updates. Open Windows Update from the Start Menu or from the Taskbar if you’ve pinned it there.
    If you manually check Windows Updates everyday, more than likely there will always be a new definitions update.
    You can also head over to The Microsoft Malware Protection Center and download the latest definition files and install manually.
    Then run mpam-fe.exe as administrator and you’ll be updated.
    Automatic Updates for MSE 1.0 and 2.0 Beta
    To make sure you get the latest malware definition file before a scan, go to the Settings tab, then Scheduled Scan. Make sure Check for the latest virus and spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan is selected.

    This will ensure MSE downloads the latest definitions before a scan.

    If you have Windows Update set to download and install updates automatically daily, make sure and check Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates. This way you’ll be sure to get the latest definition files everyday.

  • Windows 7 Tips

    Make the Windows 7 Taskbar Work More Like Windows XP or Vista

    Changing the Windows 7 Taskbar to XP/Vista Style
    To revert back to the older style, the first thing you’ll need to do is right-click on any open area of the taskbar and choose Properties from the menu.

    From the Taskbar buttons drop-down menu, you’ll want to choose “Never combine”, which will make every window show up as a separate button on the taskbar, or you could choose “Combine when taskbar is full”, which does just like it says.

    Now you should see the buttons show up with text labels like you are probably used to… but in the Windows 7 style.

    If you chose the “Use small icons” checkbox in the properties screen, the taskbar will actually shrink down to look very similar to Vista.

    The only problem is that the “pinned” icons are still sitting on the taskbar, which isn’t the same as Vista or XP, but you can easily remove all of them by right-clicking and choosing “Unpin this program from taskbar”.

    And now the taskbar looks and works very similarly to Windows Vista:

    If you wanted to be really silly, you can choose the “Windows Classic” theme under the Desktop \ Personalize section… but that would be taking it a little too far.