Monday Tips – Make Windows Start Faster
Starting up Windows sometimes seems like it takes forever. You might be wondering what it taking so long. You have a decently fast computer and it still takes forever. The reason Windows tarts slow is because there are a bunch of programs that are starting up when Windows does. You can gain a decent amount of performance on start up if you disable these programs from starting up.
The first way is to check the StartUp folder in the Start menu under all programs.
Another way to change start up programs is in the System Configuration window.
To access this window you will need to hold down the “Windows” key and hit the “R” key at the same time. When the Run box appears type in MSCONFIG and hit enter.
Next you will want to go to the Startup tab.
Now you will want to uncheck anything that you don’t need to start up when Windows laucnhes. Some items to uncheck are iTunes, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, ext. Make sure you don’t uncheck anything from your antivirus maker. If you are unsure about something look at the Command column. Each column can be increased to show more of the text hidden.
Now you will have saved a few seconds of boot time and some important system resources.
Monday Tips – Off Screen Windows in XP
This is a problem some people experience. You lose a window off screen and you have now way to get it back. The window could be off screen for any number of reasons. The following trick only works in Windows XP.
But you can get the window back with a little magic. You want to head down to the task bar and right click on the item you lost. When the context menu comes up select the option "Move."
This will place your cursor in the window bar at the top of the missing program. Now you can just drag your mouse back on the screen and the window is back.
If you just get a cursor back that means the window is below the taskbar. You will need to use the arrow keys to get the window back. Just hold the Up arrow key and the window will move up. You can use the other arrows to move the window in the corresponding direction.
Monday tips–Restoring some classic icons
When I reinstall Windows I am usually missing some very import icons on the desktop. I like to have icons for My Computer and My Documents on my desktop, it’s just what looks normal to me. Now we’ll walk you through how to get the icons back to your desktop.
Windows 7:
You will want to right click on your desktop and choose “Personalize”
Next on the left hand side of the screen you want to choose “Change desktop icons”
Now you can decide which icons you want on your desktop and which ones to get rid of by checking or unchecking each box.
Monday Tips – Removing the Delete Confirmation box
On every fresh install of Windows I have done one of the first things I do is disable the Delete confirmation box every time I delete a file. I find the confirmation box a bit annoying, plus it makes deleting files a bit quicker.
Yes I know I’m deleting a file and I don’t need to be asked if I am sure I want to delete it.
Monday Tips–Hiding Desktop Icons
This is a first in a series of new posts I plan to do every Monday. They going to be tips to help you get a bit more out of your computer. They will span all skill levels for computer users.
Todays tip is one that most people wouldn’t realize they could do, hide their desktop icons. I have seen some people do this by accident and be confused as to what happened to their icons. A Typical desktop look like this:
