I thought I'd start a thread where everyone can post useful tricks they've picked up over the years in Windows (please state which particular version). I'll get the ball rolling with some tips for Windows XP Pro (will work with Home too AFAIK):

1) Every time chkdsk has to run, it stores backup copies of file fragments which over the years can make a serious dent in your hard disk space. Run Disk Cleanup (start > accessories > system tools) and choose to clean up these fragments - I found mine had taken up almost 3gb the other day and soon cleaned them up.

2) Password management - if you use msn or Windows Messenger your logins will be stored in Windows XP. To remove obsolete logins, go to start > run and type "control userpasswords2" (without the "). Click the Advanced tab and then the Manage Passwords button, and you can add/remove passport logins.

3) If a program continues to run when you first get into Windows after a reboot, despite you telling it not to in its options (the new Real Player does this with me), go to the run menu again and type "msconfig". Click the Startup tab and you're presented with a list of all the programs that load when you first get into Windows. Simply untick any that you don't want.

also if your computer loses its settings e:mail etc just run system restore and it will fix the problem win x.p :thumbsup:

At this point can I add that this thread was meant to create a "one stop shop" for Windows (all versions) users so they can quickly reach helpful tips. It wasn't created as a way of proving how geeky you all are with Linux and how Microsoft is the worst company in the world, etc etc. If you'd like to Windows bash, do it in another thread.

Originally posted by t020
At this point can I add that this thread was meant to create a "one stop shop" for Windows (all versions) users so they can quickly reach helpful tips. It wasn't created as a way of proving how geeky you all are with Linux and how Microsoft is the worst company in the world, etc etc. If you'd like to Windows bash, do it in another thread.

Seconded t020!:thumbsup:

Windows OS is the best OS on the planet. I get fed up of people saying it has loopholes and vulnerabilities, it's bloated (Win XP).
Let's face it, if it were so bad then one of the 'other' operating systems would have taken the market over instead of Windows. That would have mean't the 'other' OS would have been the main target for script kiddies and you would all be here s******g that OS off! :rant: .

If this thread does finally start to take the shape that t020 intended, i'll be more than happy to add a few tips/links of my own.

i gots a tip for XP users.

find that your folders and files take too long to open sometimes? try this:

go to control panel > administrative tools > services

look down the list that dispays for an 'indexing service'. right click it, go to properties and look for the drop down menu in this window that says 'startup type', select disable.
this is just a small program that allows rapid searching for files and folders. if u'd rather they can be quickly found when searching, then dont disable. but if u want to open files and folders quicker, disable it.

go to control panel > administrative tools > services



Or type services.msc in run :)

Moderator Comment!


Keep to supporting Windows Users, please.

If you want to slag off Microsoft start a new thread.

t020, thanks for this thread - hopefully will be starting a Computer FAQ section in the near future.

Joe

mod - pruned discussion of OSs back on topic

Debate Mac vs PC vs Linux vs FreeBSD vs Solaris vs VAX vs Xenix etc here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26349)

Trouble with spyware ? Try Microsofts new Spyware remover, http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx Right now its a beta but I have used it on 2 computers and it has picked up some things other similar tools have missed. Whats also good is it runs in realtime, so its always keeping your computer safe.

Use the Windows key!

Windows Key + D takes you back to the desktop, minimizing all windows. Press it again to restore windows to original placement/position.

Windows Key + E opens windows explorer

Windows Key + F opens Windows Search

Windows Key + R opens the "Run" dialogue

Windows Key + L logs you out instantly

There are more but these are the ones I use a lot.

Also, I am always surprised how many people are unaware of the Alt+Tab and Ctrl+Alt+Tab fast switching between applications.

Oh, and Ctrl+Alt+4 should give you the € symbol in most standard typefaces on Windows.

Thanks Phan...

This link provides a list of keyboard only shortcuts for Windows that comes in very useful when your mouse driver suddenly decides to packup...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q126449

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
Oh, and Ctrl+Alt+4 should give you the € symbol in most standard typefaces on Windows.

And for our non-UK keyboard users, Alt+156 (on the numeric keypad) will give you a £ sign.

Here's a bunch of windows keyboard short cuts. I think they work on all modern versions of windows.



Press To
--------- ----
CTRL+C Copy.
CTRL+X Cut.
CTRL+V Paste.
CTRL+Z Undo.
DELETE Delete.
SHIFT+DELETE Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
CTRL while dragging an item Copy selected item.
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item Create shortcut to selected item.
F2 Rename selected item.
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word.
CTRL+LEFT ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
CTRL+DOWN ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph.
CTRL+UP ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys Highlight a block of text.
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document.
CTRL+A Select all.
F3 Search for a file or folder.
ALT+ENTER View properties for the selected item.
ALT+F4 Close the active item, or quit the active program.
ALT+Enter Displays the properties of the selected object.
ALT+SPACEBAR Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.
CTRL+F4 Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
ALT+TAB Switch between open items.
ALT+ESC Cycle through items in the order they were opened.
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F4 Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
SHIFT+F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
ALT+SPACEBAR Display the System menu for the active window.
CTRL+ESC Display the Start menu.
F10 Activate the menu bar in the active program.
RIGHT ARROW Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
LEFT ARROW Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
F5 Refresh the active window.
BACKSPACE View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
ESC Cancel the current task.

ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name Display the corresponding menu.
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu Carry out the corresponding command.
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.

I subsribe to a newsletter called Windows Secrets.
It's pretty goodabout giving the straight dope on windows updates, viruses and tips and tricks etc. They also do companion newsletters for various windows apps eg Acess, Word etc.

Find out more or subscribe here:

http://windowssecrets.com/

Nomme

How do I print Nomme's shortcuts without printing all the posts?
Hazel

Slightly "off thread" but here goes:

Open a blank document in your word processing software; Microsoft Word, WordPad, NotePad etc.
On the Forum page press your left mouse button, hold it down and drag the cursor over "nomme"'s text until it is all highlighted.
Release the mouse and press Ctrl + C at the same time (this copies the text onto the "clipboard".
Click inside your Word Processing document and then press Ctrl + V at the same time.
This should "paste" the text into the document.

Edit as required and then print.

Originally posted by hazel
How do I print Nomme's shortcuts without printing all the posts?
Hazel

In most browsers there is a quicker way to do this than already given. Higlight text you want to print, click print on the file menu then where you have "Print Range" choose "Selection".

Back on topic!.....

I'm not sure if this is the sort of thing t020 had in mind but i will post a link to a thread i have made (With help from Tyler :thumbsup: ). I would re-do the post again but it takes a long time :).

http://www.cbttechs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277


Please be careful if using programs from the Miscellaneous section!.

To make icons look "nicer", go to:

Start>Control Panel>Display>Appearance tab>Effects and choose "Clear Type" and change the second box down to "Scroll effect".

This makes, in my view, icons that are easier on the eye.

Alex

PS: T0 - smashing idea on starting this thread. :)

To make icons look "nicer"



On a similar note, if you download TweakUI from the Microsoft XP powertools website you can get rid of the annoying little arrows on shorcut icons on your desktop. Icons look much nicer without them.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Download, fire it up then expand the "Explorer" tree, Select "Shortcut" and select "None" in "Shortcut Overlay".

if you REALLY want to make XP look good, check out http://www2.wincustomize.com !
u can download windowblinds, a program to change all the boring xp layout and colours of the taskbar, windows etc.
You can get Bootskin, a program to change the default boot up screen to any of the available screens they have there!
u can get LogonStudio, a program that changes your default XP logon screen!

and much much more!

Mod: Thread tidied up.

ctrl+c = copy

ctrl+v = paste

much quicker and easier than using the drop down menus or whatever.

simple but effective!

Hazel, highlight text with mouse - select print and then tick selection and print

Does anyone know how I can turn off Windows XP S2's warning about not having antivirus software installed? It doesn't detect my software (Invircible) although it is there.

Originally posted by chillicat
Does anyone know how I can turn off Windows XP S2's warning about not having antivirus software installed? It doesn't detect my software (Invircible) although it is there.

Open the security center and on the left select 'Change the way security center alerts me'.


Mods feel free to remove these posts :) .

Bumpety Bump!

Found this great page about Windows XP keyboard shortcuts ;)

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Windows-XP-Keyboard-Shortcuts.html