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Category: windows 7 tips and tricks

  • How to Setup and Use ReadyBoost in Windows 7

    Information
    This article will show you how to setup and use ReadyBoost in Windows 7 with USB flash drives and flash memory cards to help speed up your computer.

    Note
    ·         You can enable or disable ReadyBoost for a specific flash drive or other removable storage device (ex: memory card).
    ·         For ReadyBoost to effectively speed up your computer, the flash drive or memory card should have at least 1 GB of free available space.
    ·         Windows 7 shows you how much space it recommends that you allow it to reserve and use on the flash drive or memory card for optimal performance at the bottom of the properties window. (See screenshot below step 4B below)
    ·         If your flash drive or card doesn’t have enough available space for ReadyBoost, you’ll see a message telling you to free some space on it.
    ·         For best results, use a flash drive or flash memory card with at least double the amount of available space as the amount of memory (RAM) in your computer.
     Warning
    ·         If your Windows 7 is installed on a solid-state drive (SSD), you may not see an option to speed up your computer with ReadyBoost when you plug in a USB flash drive or flash memory card. This is because SSD drives are faster and they’re very unlikely to benefit from using ReadyBoost.

    ·         In some situations, you might not be able to use all of the memory on your device to speed up your computer. For example, some flash memory devices contain both slow and fast flash memory, but ReadyBoost can only use fast flash memory to speed up your computer.

    ·         ReadyBoost cannot beat the performance gain by just adding more RAM in your computer instead.
    Here’s How:
    1. Plug a USB flash drive or flash memory card that you want to use ReadyBoost with into your computer.
    2. If AutoPlay pops-up, click on Speed up my system. (See screenshot below)
    A) Go to step 4.
    OR
    3. If AutoPlay does not pop-up, then open the Start Menu and click on Computer. In Computer, right click on the USB flash drive or flash memory card, and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
    4. To Turn On ReadyBoost –
    A) To use all of the flash drive or memory card free space for ReadyBoost –
    Select Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost. (See screenshot below)
    B) To specify how much free space on the flash drive or memory to use for ReadyBoost –
    Select Use this device. (See screenshot below)
    Either slide the slider or enter the amount of free space you want to reserve to ReadyBoost.
    NOTE:
    See the note box at the top of the tutorial for details about how much free space to use.
    5. To Turn Off ReadyBoost –
    Select Do not use this device. (See screenshots above)
    6. Click on OK.
    7. You will see this for a brief moment while Windows 7 configures the ReadyBoost cache on your flash drive or memory card. (See screenshot below)
    Tip
    To Temporarily Remove the ReadyBoost Device
    NOTE:
    If you wanted to temporarily remove the USB flash drive or memory card that ReadyBoost is currently using, then this will show you how to safely remove it.
    1. Open the Start Menu and click on Computer, then right click on the USB flash drive or flash memory card being used by ReadyBoost, and click on Eject. (See screenshots below)
    A) Click on Continue. (See screenshot below)
    B) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area on the right side of the taskbar, then click on the USB flash drive or flash memory card being used by ReadyBoost to eject it. (See screenshot below)
    3. When you see this, it is now safe to remove the USB flash drive or flash memory card. (See screenshot below)
    4. When ready, you can just plug the USB flash drive or flash memory card back in to have ReadyBoost automatically start using it again.


    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq_tRLXM5_E&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  • How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 7

     
    Information
    This article will show you how to change the product key number in Windows 7 so that you can use another product key number to activate your Windows 7.
    This can be helpful if you have entered the incorrect or no product key number during installation, or you just wanted to use a different product key .
    This process may or may not work on Windows Xp.

    Note
    You can only use a product key for the same Windows 7 edition that you currently have installed. For example, you cannot change the product key in Windows 7 Home Premium with a Windows 7 Ultimate product key.
    OPTION ONE
    Change Product Key Number in System Properties
    1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the System icon.
    A) Go to step 3.
    OR
    2. Open the Start Menu, and right click on the Computer button and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
    3. Under the Windows activation section at the bottom, click on the Change product key link. (See screenshot below)
    4. Type in your new valid Windows 7 product key that you want to change it to, and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
    5. If activation was successful, then click on the Close button. (See screenshot below)
    Note
    If the product key is found to be non-genuine, or not valid, it’s likely that the product key is either being used on another computer or is counterfeit. For more information about genuine Windows, go to the genuine Windows website.
     
    6. Windows 7 is now activated and genuine with the new product key number. (See screenshot below)
    OPTION TWO
    Change Product Key Number in Command Prompt
    1. Open a elevated command prompt.
    2. In the elevated command prompt, type in the command below and press enter.
    NOTE:
    Substitute XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX in ths command below with your actual product key number instead.
    slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
    3. In the elevated command prompt, type in the command below to activate your Windows 7 with this new product key number and press enter.
    slmgr.vbs -ato
    4. Close the elevated command prompt.
    This process may or may not work on Windows Xp.

  • How to Create a Task that will shut down the PC Automatically

    INFORMATION
    This article will show a very easy way to create a task in the Task Scheduler that will shut down the PC whenever you like. 
    This will work for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but not on Windows XP.

    SOLUTION
    1) In the Windows start menu search box type “Task Scheduler” (without the quotes) right click the entry and select “Run as Administrator” then enter your user credentials for the UAC prompt and click “Yes” to open the Task Scheduler.
    2) In the Task Scheduler window that opens, in the “Actions” menu in the right pane click “Create Task”.
    3) In the Create Task window under the General tab, set a name and description for the task then dot “Run whether user is logged on or not” then put a check/tick at “Run with highest privileges”, be sure to set the “Configure for:” for your flavor of Windows, then continue on to #4 below.
    4) Now at the Actions tab at the lower left click “New”, in the “New Action” dialog box leave “Action” set at “Start a program” at “Program/script:” type shutdown.exe then at “Add arguments” type /s /f (take note of the space between the /s and /f) then click OK.
    5) Now at the Triggers tab at the lower left click “New” in the “New Trigger” dialog box set the parameters that you want for the task, as everyone’s needs will be different, I just highlighted a few of the ones that need to be set to give some ideas.
     
    6) After you have the Triggers set click “OK”, you will then be prompted to enter your user credentials one last time and then click “OK” to finish creating the task. That’s it the task has been created, at “File” click “Exit” to close the Task Scheduler.

    NOTE
    Be sure to have a look at the “Conditions” tab if you need to add any parameters that must be met before the task is able to run.
    Should the PC be in use at the scheduled shutdown time you will get a dialog box stating that you are about to be logged off.
    This will work for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but not on Windows XP.

  • How to Restore the Default Windows 7 Gadgets

    Information
    This article will show you how to restore the desktop gadgets that come pre-installed with Windows 7.
    EXAMPLE:
    Gadgets
    Note:
    Some gadgets are already uninstalled.
    Here’s how:
    1. Open the Control Panel (in Category View), then click on Appearance & Personalization. (See screen shot below)
    2. Click the ‘Restore desktop gadgets installed with Windows’ button as highlighted in the second image. (See screen shot below)
    3. This will bring up the Desktop Gadgets window with a message stating ‘All Windows and administrator installed gadgets have been restored’ (See screen shot below)
    4. When finished, just close down the Desktop Gadgets and Control Panel windows.


    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swjg_5F0kGg&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  • How to Import Windows Calendar from Vista into Windows 7

    Information
    This article will show you how to import Windows Calendar from Vista into Windows 7, and to enable using Windows Calendar from the toolbar button in Windows Mail in Windows 7 if you also imported it.
    There is no Windows Calendar feature included in Windows 7 by default.
    Warning
    If running 64bit Windows 7 it is essential to import Windows Calendar from a 64bit Vista installation into the normal 64bit program files. And the same for 32 to 32bit.
    Step 1
    ·         In Vista open: Program Files –> Windows Calendar.

    ·         Copy the entire Windows Calendar folder.

    ·         Paste this folder into Program files in Windows 7.

    ·         Still in program files, open the pasted Windows Calendar folder –> Right click: WinCal –> Send to desktop as shortcut.

    ·         If desired create a Windows Calendar shortcut in Start menu programs as follows:

    ·         Choose View options to show hidden folders.

    ·         Open: Computer –> C: Drive –> Program Data –> Microsoft –> Windows –> Start Menu –> Programs.

    ·         Paste copy of WinCal shortcut into Start Menu Programs & re-name to: Windows Calendar.
    Step 2
    ·         In Vista open: Control Panel –> Administrative Tools –> Task Scheduler.

    ·         In left window pane expand tree for: Task Scheduler Library –> Microsoft –> Windows.

    ·         Scroll down Windows tree to: WindowsCalendar –> Click to highlight –> In right window pane click: Export.

    ·         It opens a file named “Reminders – ‘Your User name’.XML”

    ·         Save this file to desk top or storage folder.
    Step 3
    ·         Open saved “Reminders.XML” file with Notepad, but do not set Notepad as default opener.

    ·         Wherever your user name and computer name appear, it must be changed to exactly match your user name and computer name in Windows 7. To find Computer name, right click: Computer –> Properties.

    ·         See following pic to find where changes need to be made. Note: This image shows “Reminder file” opened in normal view, but it must be opened with Notepad to make changes. Click image to enlarge.



    ·         For example, “Paraclete/Bernard” becomes “Lizzi’s Computer/Lizzi”.

    ·         Once changes are made click: Save. Changes will be saved as XML file.
    Step 4
    ·         In Windows 7 open: Control Panel –> Administrative Tools –> Task Scheduler.

    ·         In left window pane expand tree for: Task Scheduler Library –> Microsoft –> Windows.

    ·         Click: Windows to highlight –> Right click again & select: New Folder.

    ·         Name new folder exactly as follows: WindowsCalendar with no spaces.

    ·         Click: OK. The new WindowsCalendar folder is added to the Windows tree in the left pane.
    Step 5
    ·         Click new folder: “WindowsCalendar” in the Windows tree to highlight –> Right click again to open menu.

    ·         Select: Import Task –> Browse to where you have saved the “Reminders – .XML” file.

    ·         Click: “Reminders – .XML” file to import it. If a message appears saying: “The format of the task is not valid” it means you have not changed the computer and user names correctly.

    ·         In bottom of new window that appears, open: Drop down menu –> Select: Windows 7 –> Click: OK.
    Step 6
    Open and run the regedit file WinCalEdit.zip attached here WinCalEdit.zip. This enables Windows Calendar to open in the desktop WinMail.exe interface.

  • How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 7

    Information
    This will show you how to map or unmap a shared folder on your computer or shared network folder from a computer on your network to create a shortcut of it as a drive with a drive letter in the Computer window for easier access.
    Note:
    You will need to be connected to your network to be able to map a shared network folder as a drive from it.
    You will be able to map a shared folder on your computer as a drive whether you are connected to a network or not since it’s on your computer and does not require a network connection to access it.

    EXAMPLE:
    A Mapped Network Drive
    NOTE:
    For example, this is a shared network folder from a server on my network that was mapped as a drive on my computer.
    OPTION ONE
    Map a Network Drive
    1. Open the Start Menu and click on the Computer button on the right dark side.
    2. Click on the Map network drive toolbar button. (See screenshot below)
    3. Select a drive letter that you want to be assigned to this mapped network drive. (see screenshot below)
    4. Click on the Browse button. (See screenshot below)
    5. Select a listed shared folder on your computer OR a shared network folder that you want to have mapped as a drive, then click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    6. If you want to always have the map network drive available in the Computer window, then check the Reconnect at logon box. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    If you do not check the Reconnect at logon box, then the mapped network drive in Computer will be disconnected (unmapped) automatically whenever you log off or restart the computer next.
    7. If you want to log on to network for the shared network folder with a different user name and password than what you already have set for this network connection, then check the Connect using different credentials box. (see screenshot below step 9)
    NOTE:
    Normally you would leave this option unchecked unless you wanted to log on as a different user on the network than the default one you already have set up.
    8. Click on Finish. (see screenshot below step 6)
    9. If you checked the Connect using different credentials box in step 7, then you will now be prompted to enter the user name and password that you want to use instead to log on to the network with. If you want to be automatically logged on each time you open the mapped network drive, then check the Remember my credentials box. Click on OK after entering them. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    If not, then skip this step and continue to step 10.
    10. You will now have a mapped network drive of this shared folder or shared network folder in Computer. (See screenshot below)
    OPTION TWO
    Unmap a Network Drive
    NOTE:
    This will disconnect the mapped network drive to only remove it from the Computer window. It will not delete the shared folder or shared network folder.
    1. Open the Start Menu and click on the Computer button on the right dark side.
    2. Right click on the mapped network drive that you want to unmap, and click on Disconnect. (See screenshot below)
    3. The mapped network drive is now unmapped, and will no longer show in the Computer window.

  • How to Turn ClickLock On or Off in Windows 7

    Information
    In this tutorial you will learn about the usage of mouse ClickLock to easily select multiple objects.

    Note
    ClickLock enables you to highlight or drag without holding down the mouse button.
    Tip
    This feature is very useful for selecting items with a laptop touchpad.
    Here’s how:
    1. Open the Start menu. Type in “Mouse” (without the quotation marks) and hit Enter.
    2. To Turn On ClickLock –
    A) At the bottom of the dialog box, check the “Turn on ClickLock” box. Then, hit the “Apply” button, and then the “OK” button.
    B) Go to step 4.
    3. To Turn Off ClickLock –
    A) At the bottom of the dialog box, uncheck the “Turn on ClickLock” box. Then, hit the “Apply” button, and then the “OK” button. (See screenshot above)
    B) You’re done.
    4. Let’s go to a folder with some items. Press and hold the left mouse button and slowly begin to make a selection. After 3 seconds of the left mouse button being held, release it. You will notice that the process of selecting is still ongoing. This also works for selecting text and other content.
    Tip
    You can adjust how long you have to hold the mouse button before ClickLock activates by going to the Mouse options again and clicking the “Settings” button to the right of the “ClickLock” checkbox. Drag the slider to adjust this setting.

  • How to Manually Sync Your Offline Files in Windows 7

    Information
    When you make a network file, or all files in a network folder, available offline, Windows creates a copy of the file or folder on your computer. This is called an offline file. The next time you disconnect from the network, you’ll still be able to open, modify, and save the file the same way you would if you were still connected. And when you do connect to the network again, Windows will automatically sync the offline file on your computer with the corresponding file on the network for the latest changes.
    When you are connected to the network, this will show you how to also manually sync your offline files whenever you like to have the latest versions of files stored on the network right away.

    METHOD ONE
    Through Sync Center
    1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the Sync Center icon.
    2. To Sync All Offline Files at Once –
    A) Select the Offline Files folder to only highlight it, then click on the Sync toolbar button. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    Notice the Status of when the offline files have last been synced under the progress bar.
    B) You will now notice the progress bar fully green to indicate that the sync completed. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    After a few moments, the progress bar and status will return to normal like above with the new last sync date and time now.
    C) Go to step 4.
    3. To Sync Only a Single or Multiple Offline Files –
    NOTE:
    Notice the Status of when the offline files in the offline folders have last been synced under the progress bar.
    A ) Click on the Offline Files folder to open it. (see screenshot above)
    B) To Sync All Offline Files at Once –
    Click on the Sync All toolbar button. (see screenshot below)
    C) To Sync all Offline Files in Only One or More Selected Offline Folders –
    Select One or More offline folders, and click on the Sync toolbar button. (see screen shots below)
    D) You will now notice the progress bar(s) fully green to indicate that the sync completed for the select offline folders. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    After a few moments, the progress bar and status will return to normal like above with the new last sync date and time now.
    4. When done, close the Sync Center.
    METHOD TWO
    From the Offline Files Location
    1. Browse to the network folder that is or contains the file(s) that are set as Always available offline. (see screenshot below)
    2. To Sync All Offline Files in Selected Offline Folders at Once –
    A) Select one or more offline folders, then right click on a selected offline folder and click on Sync and Sync selected offline files. (see screenshot below)
    OR
    B) Open a offline folder, then click on the Sync toolbar drop down menu and Sync selected offline files in this folder. (see screenshot below)
    C) Go to step 4.
    3. To Sync Selected Offline Files in a Selected Network Folder –
    NOTE: This is for when only one or a few files in a network folder have been made always available offline and not the network folder itself.
    A) Open a network folder that contains the offline files. (see screenshot below step 1)
    NOTE:
    This network folder will not have the green Sync Center overlay icon on it’s icon since it is not a offline folder, but only contains offline files.
    B) To Sync All Offline Files at Once in the Network Folder –
    Click on the Sync toolbar drop down menu and Sync selected offline files in this folder. (see screenshot below) (see screenshot below)
    C) To Sync one or more Offline Files in a Selected Network Folder –
    Select one or more offline files, then right click on a selected offline file and click on Sync and Sync selected offline files. (see screenshot below)
    D) The offline files have now been synced.

  • How to Import and Export Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings


    Information
    By default, Windows 7 Internet Explorer displays pop-ups that appear as a result of you clicking a link or button. Pop-up Blocker, when turned on, blocks pop-ups that are displayed automatically (without you clicking a link or button).
    This article will show you how to import and export all of your personal Pop-up Blocker settings in Internet Explorer in Windows 7 and Vista.
    Note
    It can be handy to backup your Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker settings by exporting them to a REG file so that you can use it to easily import your settings back, say after a clean install of Windows 7 or after resetting Internet Explorer.
    EXAMPLE:
    Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings
    OPTION ONE
    To Export Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings
    1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.
    2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista).
    3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\New Window
    4. In the left pane, right click on New Window and click on Export. (see screenshot above)
    5. Navigate to your Desktop, then type in a name (ex: IE_Pop_up_Blocker_Settings) for this REG file and click on the Save button.
    6. Now move this exported REG file to where you like to keep it at as a backup of all of your personal Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker settings.
    OPTION TWO
    To Import Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker Settings
    1. Double click on the exported REG file (ex: IE_Pop_up_Blocker_Settings.reg) that was exported from OPTION ONE above.
    2. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista), Yes, and OK.
    3. If open, close and reopen all instances of Internet Explorer to apply.

  • How to Change the Windows Media Center Parental Controls Access Code

    Information
    This will show you how to change your access code for the Windows Media Center Parental Controls after you already have Parental Controls setup.
    Note
    This access code is used to access restricted content or to change parental control settings in Windows Media Center. Be sure to write it down somewhere safe in case you forget it.
    Windows Media Center is not available in the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions.
    This article is not applicable for Windows Xp
    Here’s How:
    1. Open the Start Menu, and click on All Programs and Windows Media Center to open Windows Media Center.
    2. In Media Center, scroll down to Tasks and select Settings. (see screenshot below)
    3. Select the General option. (see screenshot below)
    4. Select the Parental Controls option. (see screenshot below)
    5. Type in a your current 4-digit access code. (see screenshot below)
    6. Select Change Access Code. (see screenshot below)
    7. Type in a new 4-digit access code, then type it in again to confirm it. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE:
    Be sure to write it down somewhere safe in case you forget it.
    8. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    9. Your access code has now been changed. You can now close Windows Media Center when finished if you like.

    This article is not applicable for Windows XP