Windows 7 Tips

Back to TopUse Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows 7 supports several useful new keyboard shortcuts.

• Alt+P Display/ hide the Explorer preview pane
• Win+G Display gadgets in front of other windows
• Win++ (plus key) Zoom in, where appropriate
• Win+- (minus key) Zoom out, where appropriate
• Win+Home Minimise/ restore everything except the current window

Using the mouse, you can drag-‘n-dock windows to either side of the screen, or drag it to the top to maximize it. These keyboard shortcuts are even faster:

• Win+Left Arrow and Win+Right Arrow dock the window to the left and right side of the screen
• Win+Up Arrow and Win+Down Arrow maximize and restore/minimize
• Win+M minimizes everything
• Alt+Up, Alt+Left Arrow, Alt+Right Arrow navigate to parent folder, or browse Back and Forward through folders in Explorer
• Win+Home minimizes/restores all open windows except the active window
• Alt+Win+# accesses the Jump List of program number ‘#’ on the taskbar

Back to TopRearrange The System Tray

With Windows 7 we finally see system tray icons behave in a similar way to everything else on the taskbar. So if you want to rearrange them, then go right ahead, just drag and drop them into the order you like. You can even move important icons outside of the tray, drop them onto the desktop, then put them back when you no longer need to keep an eye on them.

Back to TopRearrange System Tray Icons

You can rearrange icons on the taskbar as you wish and start new (or switch to running) instances of the first ten taskbar programs using Win+1, Win+2, and so on. The cool thing is you can also rearrange system tray icons. Reorder them on the tray or move them outside or back in the tray. Take control of what you want to always keep an eye on, and from which apps you’ll require notifications.

Back to TopAccess Jump Lists with the Left Mouse Button

Jump Lists usually show up when you right-click on a taskbar icon. However, they can also be accessed by holding the left mouse button and dragging upwards. If you’re using a laptop touchpad or a touch screen, this is convenient because you do not have to click any button to access a context menu.

Back to TopUnderstanding System Restore

Using System Restore in previous versions of Windows has been something of a gamble. There's no way of telling which applications or drivers it might affect - you just have to try it and see. Windows 7 is different.

Right-click Computer,
select Properties > System Protection > System Restore > Next,
and choose the restore point you'd like to use.

Click the new button to 'Scan for affected programs' and Windows will tell you which (if any) programs and drivers
will be deleted or recovered by selecting this restore point.

Back to TopSet The Time Zone

System administrators will appreciate the new command line tzutil.exe utility, which lets you set a PC's time zone from scripts. If you wanted to set a PC to Greenwich Mean Time, for instance, you'd use the command tzutil /s "gmt standard time".
The command "tzutil /g" displays the current time zone, "tzutil /l" lists all possible time zones, and "tzutil /?" displays details on how the command works.

Back to TopCalibrate Your Screen

The colours you see on your screen will vary depending on your monitor, graphics cards settings, lighting and more, yet most people use the same default Windows colour profile. And that means a digital photo you think looks perfect might appear very poor to everybody else. Fortunately Windows 7 now provides a Display Colour Calibration Wizard that helps you properly set up your brightness, contrast and colour settings, and a ClearType tuner to ensure text is crisp and sharp. Click Start, type DCCW and press Enter to give it a try.

Back to TopGet A Power Efficiency Report

If you have a laptop, you can use the efficiency calculator to get Windows 7 to generate loads of useful information about its power consumption. Used in the right way, this can help you make huge gains in terms of battery life and performance. To do this you must open a command prompt as an administrator by typing 'cmd' in Start Search, and when the cmd icon appears,
right-click it and choose Run as administrator.

Then at the command line, just type in 'powercfg -energy' (without quotes) and hit Return, and Windows 7 will scan your system looking for ways to improve power efficiency. It will then publish the results in an HTML file, usually in the System32 folder. Just follow the path it gives you to find your report.

Back to TopSwitch To A Projector

Windows 7 now provides a standard way to switch your display from one monitor to another, or a projector - just press Win+P or run DisplaySwitch.exe and choose your preferred display (this will have no effect if you've only one display connected).

Back to TopCalculate More

At first glance the Windows 7 calculator looks just like Vista's version, but explore the Mode menu and you'll see powerful new Statistics and Programmer views. And if you're clueless about bitwise manipulation, then try the Options menu instead. This offers many different unit conversions (length, weight, volume and more), date calculations (how many days between two dates?), and spreadsheet-type templates to help you calculate vehicle mileage, mortgage rates and more.

Don't take any Windows 7 applet at face value, then - there are some very powerful new features hidden in the background. Be sure to explore every option in all Windows applets to ensure you don't miss anything important.

Back to TopTake Control

Tired of the kids installing dubious software or running applications you'd rather they left alone? AppLocker is a new Windows 7 feature that ensures users can only run the programs you specify. Don't worry, that's easier to set up than it sounds: you can create a rule to allow everything signed by a particular publisher, so choose Microsoft, say, and that one rule will let you run all signed Microsoft applications.

Launch GPEDIT.MSC and go to
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies > AppLocker
to get a feel for how this works.

Back to TopTroubleshoot Problems

If some part of Windows 7 is behaving strangely, and you don't know why, then click Control Panel > Find and fix problems (or 'Troubleshooting') to access the new troubleshooting packs. These are simple wizards that will resolve common problems, check your settings, clean up your system and more.

Back to TopDesktop Slideshow

Windows 7 comes with some very attractive new wallpapers, and it's not always easy to decide which one you like the best. So why not let choose a few, and let Windows display them all in a desktop slideshow?

Right-click an empty part of the desktop, select Personalise > Desktop Background, then hold down Ctrl as you click on the images you like. Choose how often you'd like the images to be changed (anything from daily to once every 10 seconds), select Shuffle if you'd like the backgrounds to appear in a random order, then click Save Changes and enjoy the show.

Back to TopRemove Taskbar Buttons

One problem with the previous tip is the buttons will gobble up valuable taskbar real estate, but you can reduce the impact of this by removing their text captions.

Launch REGEDIT, browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics,
add a string called MinWidth, set it to 54, and reboot to see the results.

Back to TopProtect Your Data

USB flash drives are convenient, portable, and very easy to lose. Which is a problem, especially if they're carrying sensitive data. Fortunately Windows 7 has the solution: encrypt your documents with an extension of Microsoft's BitLocker technology, and only someone with the password will be able to access it. Right-click your USB flash drive, select Turn on BitLocker and follow the instructions to protect your private files.

Back to TopExtend Your Battery Life

Windows 7 includes new power options that will help to improve your notebook's battery life. To see them, click Start, type Power Options and click the Power Options link, then click Change Plan Settings for your current plan and select Change Advanced Settings. Expand Multimedia Settings, for instance, and you'll see a new "playing video" setting that can be set to optimise power savings rather than performance. Browse through the other settings and ensure they're set up to suit your needs.

Back to TopAn Alt+Tab Alternative

You want to access one of the five Explorer windows you have open, but there are so many other programs running that Alt+Tab makes it hard to pick out what you need. The solution? Hold down the Ctrl key while you click on the Explorer icon. Windows 7 will then cycle through the Explorer windows only, a much quicker way to locate the right one. And of course this works with any application that has multiple windows open.

Back to TopBlock Annoying Alerts

Just like Vista, Windows 7 will display a suitably stern warning if it thinks your antivirus, firewall or other security settings are incorrect. But unlike Vista, if you disagree then you can now turn off alerts on individual topics.

If you no longer want to see warnings just because you've dared to turn off the Windows firewall, say, then click:

Control Panel > System and Security > Action Centre > Change Action Centre Settings,
clear the Network Firewall box and click OK.

Data Tips

Back to TopBacking Up Data

Soooooo important: you should always have a back-up!

Every RescueBox agent agrees keeping a back up is an absolute must. If your system crashes and you don’t have back up, you can say bye-bye to all your data – every document, photo, email, contact, your whole diary and all that lovingly downloaded music.

Back up is easy - here’s what to do.

RescueBox Support supports the following computer operating systems:

• For starters make sure you copy information to different parts of the hard drive. This works fine; unless the hard drive fails of course. So you need to look at ways of back up that keep information safe, away from your PC.
• Transfer your data onto CD/DVD, external hard drive or USB. It’s a good idea to store these separately. This is a safer way of back up, but how about going for ‘super-safe’?
• For the ultimate back up, whisk your data away to a secure online storage area. Safeguarded by password and username you can grab your information anytime via the web. Check out a new product called SafetyBox!

Back-up tips

RescueBox Support supports the following computer operating systems:

• Make a Checklist - This will help you identify the files and folders you want to save. Make sure you save the most important first.
• Get into a routine and stick to it - Back up should become a habit, once a day or once a week whichever you feel suits the way you work.
• Make sure the back up really has backed up - A few seconds checking your back up worked can save hours of misery. Just load data from the storage device back to the computer to check. Better safe than sorry.

Back to TopData Protection Basics

Mission Briefing

In today`s online and connected world, civilians can become overwhelmed by the multiple facets of maintaining their data security.

When we lose precious information, whether to a system crash or to hackers, it can feel like we are losing parts of our lives. That`s why keeping our data safe and sound is serious business.

When it comes to the security of your data, there are actually two separate areas that need to be addressed. While protection from outside intruders is the primary concern, preventative access within your home or office can be important as well. The following security tips from RescueBox Agents are essential rules of thumb that will help keep your data safe on both ends. Agents have compiled six countermeasures to follow that provide a solid starting point for keeping personal intel protected.

The Six Steps to Keeping Your Data Safe:

• Use proactive software protection — Antivirus and antispyware software are entry-level requirements for initial protection. Viruses and spyware can creep into your computer and easily degrade performance and corrupt or even destroy data.
• Use a firewall — Firewalls assist in blocking dangerous programs, viruses or spyware before they infiltrate your system. Various software companies offer firewall protection, but hardware-based firewalls, like those frequently built into network routers, provide a better level of security.
• Be cautious of suspicious emails from unknown sources — Unfriendly emails can infect your computer with spyware and viruses.
• Steer clear of websites of ill repute — These are havens for malicious and annoying intruders like spyware.
• Keep your operating system updated — Repair the security holes that hackers love to exploit with the newest critical updates from Microsoft.
• Consistently backup crucial data — Backing up to a separate media device, such as CD/DVD, external hard drive, USB drive or Mirra, on a regular basis ensures that important files are secure.

RescueBox can ensure that your data is as secure as possible. Defend your personal photos, music, emails or financial records from prying eyes or destruction. Just give them a call on 0861 000 678.

Back to TopAvoiding Identity Theft

• Geeks know that online identity theft is everyone’s ultimate nightmare. That’s why they want you to read this carefully and make sure you do everything you can to protect yourself.
• Here are some basic steps you can take to lock out intruders and infections that could steal your files or passwords.
• First and foremost, virus and spyware protection software should be installed and updated regularly.
• Make sure your PC has the latest Windows XP® operating system updates. http://update.microsoft.com/
• Do not open files, click on hyperlinks or download programs sent to you by strangers. And don`t accept their sweets, either.
• Use a firewall, especially if you use a high-speed Internet connection.
• When submitting information online, look for the "lock" icon on your browser`s status bar to help ensure that your information is secure during transmission.
• Try not to store financial information on your laptop unless absolutely necessary. If you do, use a strong password - a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers

How to keep financial information safe

Check your credit report at least twice a year to make sure that no one has opened any accounts without your knowledge.

Properly dispose of all your documents with personal information or account numbers. Credit card bills and receipts, legal documents, loan and credit card applications... give them all the shredder treatment.

Photocopy the contents of your wallet. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You‘ll know what you had in your wallet and all the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place - like a safe.

Your identity’s been stolen! Don’t panic!

If your personal information falls into the wrong hands you must act quickly.

Call the credit card company immediately and report the fraudulent activity. (This is where the photocopy of your cards comes in handy)

File a police report. You may need this for some creditors as proof of a crime.

RescueBox has more ways to help keep your personal information safe. Just give us a call on 0861 000 678