Pinning applications to the Windows 7 Taskbar is generally very easy. Unfortunately, Windows 7 Taskbar was not designed with the ability to pin files, folders, or web pages – but, a small freeware tool, Windows 7 Taskbar Items Pinner, enables you to overcome this limitation.
Judging from the number of questions and comments I’ve seen, many PC users would like to modify their Windows 7 Start menu. For example, the default settings leave off some entries that people were used to in Windows XP and they want them back. Although many are unaware of it, there is an easy way to add or subtract an assortment of entries to the Start menu. You can also make a variety of configuration changes. Here’s how:
Do you have favorite folders that you like to keep open when you are using Windows? Then you will know the annoyance of having open folders being closed when you have to log off or restart the computer. Fortunately, there is a way to tweak Windows so that open folders are restored when you log back on or restart. There is a setting for this in Folder Options and here is how it works.
There are a number of ways to get to Folder Options. Which one is better is a matter of personal preference. Here is one way:
And there you have it. Now when you restart your computer or log off and on, the folders you had open previously will be restored.
Bonus tip: A quick way to open (My) Computer is this keyboard shortcut:
Windows key+E
How to Restore Open Windows Folders When You Log Off and On or Restart
For some users, Microsoft Windows 7 can never go fast enough. There is always a tweak or Registry edit that can squeeze more speed and performance out of the operating system. This Quick Tip shows you how to speed up the display of menu items in Windows 7 with a simple Registry edit.
Microsoft recently caught my attention with the release of a performance-related hotfix. Blog readers should pay attention to KB2555428. It fixes an issue which can cause Windows 7 to boot extremely slowly. The culprit is System Restore with the slowdown occuring when many restore points have been created.
Extremely Slow Bootup? Restore Points Might Be The Enemy! » TuneUp Blog about Windows
StartMenuXP will replace the standard list of programs with a dropdown menu in the Windows XP style. Apart from this, the program features numerous improvements that will help you find and launch programs much faster
One of the unwelcome changes that Microsoft introduced in Service Pack 1 was the removal of some of the easy ways to get to the Search screen: the start menu button and folder context menu item. Thankfully we can easily add the “Search…” item back to the context menu with a simple registry tweak.
Need to send someone a big batch of files? Don't attach one after another after another to your e-mail. Instead, compress the files into one smaller, easier-to-manage file. In other words, "Zip" them.
The Zip file format has long been used to compress and archive data. Suppose you have, say, 50 Word documents that have a combined size of 5MB. By zipping them, you end up with a single file that's much smaller--maybe 1MB or even 500K. Imagine stuffing all your clothes into a tiny, lightweight suitcase--that's what compression does. Even better, when you open the suitcase, everything comes out wrinkle-free.
If you're already using a utility like PKZip or WinZip to compress and decompress files, there's little point in changing. But did you know Windows has Zip capabilities built right in? Here's how to use them on the fly, using the aforementioned e-mail as an example:
1. Compose your e-mail message, then click Attach File (or whatever is your mail client's equivalent).
2. Using the file selector that appears, find the files you want to attach. (They all need to be in the same folder.)
3. Select all the files you want to zip. (To select multiple files at a time, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking each one in turn.)
4. Right-click any of the selected files, then choose Send to, Compressed (zipped) folder.
5. Windows will quickly compress the files and create a new, zipped file that's immediately ready to be renamed (if necessary--if not, just press Enter).
6. Attach your newly created Zip file to the e-mail.
That's all there is to it! Granted, that's pretty much the extent of Windows' Zip capabilities, but if that's all you need, why bother with third-party tools?
Takeaway: In this issue of the Windows Desktop Report, Greg Shultz describes how the Windows 7 Live File System format works and how you can use it for backups or additional storage.
If you are looking to augment or expand upon your existing data storage options and you have a CD- or DVD-burner on your Microsoft Windows 7 System, then you need to investigate the Live File System format. This new system will allow you to essentially use a CD-RW or DVD-RW disk just like a USB flash drive. In other words, you’ll be able to incrementally add individual files or groups of files to the disc over time.
Augment your data storage options with Windows 7 Live File System format | TechRepublic
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