Tag: taskbar

Fast access to Windows 7 resources via the keyboard

December 17, 2009 by Jason

Some of Win7’s best timesavers are staring you right in the face on your keyboard, particularly via the previously underutilized Windows key. You probably already know that pressing the Windows key (Win) opens the Start menu. But now, holding the Win key in combination with other keys does a lot more.

Win7’s Windows-key combinations speed up opening system tools, navigating between files and apps, and performing other common tasks. (Note that many of these shortcuts work in XP and Vista as well.)

* Win+Pause: Displays the System Control Panel applet.

* Win+D: Shows the desktop.

* Win+Spacebar: Shows the desktop without minimizing open windows (Aero Peek).

* Win+E: Opens Windows Explorer with Computer selected.

* Win+F: Opens a Search window for finding files or folders.

* Win+Ctrl+F: Opens a Search window for finding computers on a network. Read More»

Windows 7 Enable the Quick Launch Bar

November 24, 2009 by Jason

There’s no disputing over the fact that Windows 7 brings a consistent overhaul of the graphical user interface that has become synonymous with the Windows operating system. One critical aspect of the Windows 7 GUI redesign is the revamping of the Taskbar, which is now affectionately referred to in some circles as the Superbar. Microsoft aimed to deliver a more user-friendly design, less crowded, less redundant. In this regard, the Superbar comes with an evolved mechanism to deal with pinned items and opened programs, new functionality such as Thumbnail Previews and JumpList, with an upgraded Notifications Area, and without Quick Launch.

Now in all fairness, the Superbar has inherited all the functionality of the Quick Launch area. In this sense, users can now pin program icons right to the Taskbar, essentially making Quick Launch useless. However, there will always be users that enjoy a tad of redundancy. Especially for these types of customers, Microsoft has documented the steps necessary to bring back Quick Launch for the Windows 7 Taskbar.

Customers must understand that the disappearance of the Quick launch area from Windows 7 is default behavior and a part of the Windows GUI evolution. As far as I’m concerned, customers should first off all give the Superbar a chance, as they will notice they have no reasons at all to miss Quick Launch. But if the new Windows 7 Taskbar simply doesn’t cut it for them, then they will be able to bring back Quick Launch even in Windows 7 RTM, following the steps outlined below, courtesy of Microsoft. Read More»

Make Windows 7 faster – Part 2

October 09, 2009 by Jason

The purchase of a record-breaking windows 7 operating system to make it faster, better one day before the start of the second series I share with you.

21. Presentation Nirvana. Press Windows+P to access the new Presentation mode, and easily turn on your projector and laptop screen at the same time. No more messing with vendor-specific utilities and arcane keystrokes. (Windows+X accesses the Mobility Center, with additional presentation options.)

22. Cut the Clutter. Press Windows+Home to minimize all but the current window, removing background clutter and letting you focus on that report your boss has been bugging you about.

23. Be a Mouse-Click Administrator. Windows 7 makes it easy to gain admin rights with a keyboard shortcut. Click on Ctrl+Shift on a taskbar-locked icon, and voila! You’ve launched it with appropriate admin rights.

24. Faster Installations. If your computer is capable of booting from USB, try this: XCopy the Windows 7 installation DVD to a sufficiently large USB drive, boot from that drive, and install Windows from there. It’s faster than a spinning platter.

25. Burn Discs with a Click. Or two; double-click an ISO file to burn it to your CD or DVD writer. Read More»

Seven Tips and Tricks For Windows 7

May 28, 2009 by Jason

Shuffling Through Program Windows.
If you’re running a number of files from the same program, such as multiple documents in Microsoft Word, Windows 7 allows you to switch through these windows with ease. Simply press down on the Ctrl key while clicking the icon from the taskbar. Each click will change the window to the next in the sequence, in the order that you opened them.

Managing Your Windows.
Windows 7 simplifies document and program management by allowing you to “dock” a window or manipulate its size with one mouse maneuver or a simple keystroke. To dock your window on one half of the screen, drag it to the left or right and it will change its size to fit that half of the screen. To manipulate the vertical size of a window, drag the window to the top to maximize it, or double-click the window’s top or bottom border to maximize it vertically while keeping the same width.

You can also perform all of these functions with keystrokes: Read More»

Windows 7 Aero

April 01, 2009 by Jason

Microsoft has made a range of resources available for download in an effort to streamline the process of leveraging the Windows 7 evolution, focusing, among other aspects of the operating system, on the Aero graphical user interface advances. An illustrative example in this context is what the Redmond company referred to as an intermediate solution addressing managed code developers specifically. The Taskbar Sample .NET Interop Library is a new managed code wrapper that Microsoft hopes will make the lives of managed code developers easier.

“The Taskbar Sample .NET Interop Library allows developers to: create and manipulate JumpLists including tasks and items; display Dynamic Overlay Icons, Thumbnail Toolbars; use the Taskbar progress bar; control Custom Thumbnail Preview, and custom Preview also known as AeroPeek,” revealed Yochay Kiriaty, Windows 7 technical evangelist on the Client Platform Evangelist Group. Read More»

Ten Tips for Windows 7

January 10, 2009 by Jason

Microsoft is releasing Windows 7 to 2.5 million beta testers today. Here are ten tips for those who are preparing to take the plunge:

1. Back-up your system

Whilst we’ve been mightily impressed with the stability of Windows 7 ever since the pre-beta launch, this remains a work in progress. If you’re even considering installing Windows 7 on a mission-critical system, make sure you take a full back-up first, so that you’ve got a fall back if it all goes horribly wonky.

2. Take note of your settings and software keys

If you’re making a fresh install of Windows 7, rather than upgrading a previous OS, make a note of all your crucial settings – such as your wireless network key and Outlook configuration – so that you can get online immediately. Also make sure you can lay your hands on keys for any essential software that you’ll need to re-install in Windows 7. Read More»

Windows 7 – 20 Features to Make Users Forget Vista SP1/SP2 and XP SP3

November 17, 2008 by Jason

Microsoft is currently moving onward with the development of Windows 7, having passed Milestone 3 with the operating system. According to Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, the Redmond company is now cooking the Beta 1 release of Windows 7. But even as early as Windows 7 Milestone 3 pre-Beta Build 6801 and 6801+, discernible details, components and features across the next iteration of the Windows client come with the promise of making users forget all about Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and even SP2, or even Windows XP Service Pack 3.

“We’ve had a pretty incredible couple of weeks at the PDC and WinHEC. Based on what we talked about you can imagine we are all rather busy as we transition from milestone 3 to beta. We trust many of you are enjoying 6801 (or perhaps we should say 6801+),” revealed Sinofsky earlier this week.

With Windows 7 pre-Beta Build 6801 changes stretch from the surface to under-the-hood optimizations, with the client evolving from both the perspective of the graphical user interface, user experience and interaction model but also in regard to the actual architecture of the operating system, with repercussions on performance, new capabilities and features, as well as compatibility and support. Read More»

Move your taskbar to a new spot

October 22, 2008 by Jason

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. Read More»

Enhancing your Windows Vista User Experience

August 16, 2008 by Jason

I noticed that when you buy a new laptop, some of them, the desktop icons are too large and not proportional to its taskbar and startmenu. To change, press CTRL key and scroll your mouse down and up. Choose the size that is proportional and comfortable with you.

When I bought my laptop loaded with Windows Vista, the first thing that I have noticed is the RUN command in startmenu is missing. To put it back, Right-click in the taskbar -> Choose Properties -> Start menu tabs -> Customize -> scroll-down and check Run window.

Here’s a guide for changing the function of the Start menu power button. I always mistaken this one for shutdown, It goes to sleep rather than shutdown. If you enabled the Run command in start menu click it, if not just press WindowsKey+R. Type “cmd” and press enter. type “powercfg.cpl,1″ without spaces. Scroll-down and find these options ‘Startmenu power button’.

Turn-on Quick search, this is very useful when searching inside a folder. Read More»

Alternative command prompt for windows

May 21, 2008 by Jason

Are you not able to fire up any commands just because your run prompt is not visible in your windows xp start menu?

We have already posted a procedure on how can you restore your run prompt in start menu, but still even after following the procedure given there if it does not appear then,

You can try this freeware called Command Prompt Bar which provides an alternative Command prompt in the task bar, but you will need to activate this new command prompt which will reside in your windows taskbar. Command Prompt Bar becomes a part of your Windows taskbar and allows you to launch command lines from your windows bar. (as shown in the image below). Read More»