Organize Files with Windows XP Move function

Organize Files with Windows XP Move function Use this tip to quickly and easily move your files (documents, music, pictures) from one folder to another on your computer. Once you master this tip, you will be able to organize your digital files with confidence. You can also use the tip to copy digital photos from a memory card or CD to your hard drive. Open the folder or drive containing the files (pictures, music,...

Make Windows XP Thumbnails Larger

Windows XP brought many new and useful features to computer users. Digital photographers benefited greatly with the roll out of Windows XP nearly three years ago. One of my favorite features is the ‘thumbnail’ view in my photo folders. Thumbnails allow you to see mini pictures instead of just file names. Windows Me had this feature albeit not as elegantly implemented as in XP. To view your photos in thumbnail...

Make old programs work better with Windows XP

When Windows XP launched nearly two years ago, it was a significant departure from its older brethren. Because of the changes that Windows XP brought with it (mostly positive in my opinion), some older games and programs no longer worked properly or at all with Windows XP.  Enter the Windows Compatibility mode. This tool allows users to have their troublesome computer programs ‘think’ they are still running...

Lock the Taskbar

Lock the Taskbar is more than just a big hit from 80s punk band “The Clash” it is also a great tip for Microsoft Windows. Windows XP has been out just over a week at retail outlets and more than a month from many computer manufacturers. (If you are thinking of upgrading, make sure you have at least a 400mhz processor with 128mb or more of RAM). Microsoft packed a good deal of improvements and stability into the...

Keep your system running clean

It’s easy to become a digital pack rat. However, using all this space on your computer can contribute to slower performance. Here are some tips of how to keep your system clutter free. * Use the Disk Cleanup utility (Windows 98 and Me users) to delete temporary windows and Internet files. * If you use a digital camera or scanner, archive your older images on a ZIP disk or CDR (also important for backups). *...

Instant Shut Down in Windows XP

One of the most popular tips from my book was the ‘instant shut down’ shortcut that can be used in place of clicking on Start –> Shut Down, etc. Unfortunately, the tip does not apply to Windows XP. If you are a Windows XP and would like to create an icon that will shut down your computer, read on. If you are a Windows 95/98/Me user, you can find the tip by searching my web site below for “instant shut...

Instant Shut Down

This tip requires strict attention to detail, so please print it out and follow it verbatim. If you don’t feel comfortable with the process do not attempt it. 1. RIGHT Click on a blank portion of your desktop 2. Click on New 3. Click on Shortcut 4. Type: C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows 5. Click Next 6. Type: Shut Down My Computer 7. Click Finish That’s it. Now to use it, simply...

Finding Files You Thought Were Lost

Windows contains a powerful search agent to look for those lost treasures. Follow these steps to find your lost files. Click Start Click Find Click Files or Folders In the Named box, type any part of the file name you lost Make sure that the Look In box says My Computer and the box is checked to include Subfolders Click on Find Now The results will appear below the find box NOTE: When you find your file, before opening...

Drag and Drop

Over the past few weeks, we discussed the usefulness of cut, copy and paste. Another great skill to have at your disposal is “drag and drop”. With very few exceptions, drag and drop requires your mouse. To drag and drop an object, click and hold the left mouse button on the file, object, or text and then move (drag) the mouse to its destination. It is the same exact maneuver computer users use every day to play...

Does Your Wallpaper Fit?

One tip that has evaded us over the years is sharing the magic of making wallpaper fit your screen. Wallpaper personalizes your computer and makes your desktop yours. If you use Windows 98 and above, you can add any photo you want to your desktop as wallpaper. But often the picture doesn’t quite fit well on the screen leaving space around the picture. If you want to get rid of the space around your wallpaper, try this: ...

Customizing the Windows XP Start Menu Part II

If you RIGHT click on your Start button in Windows XP and click properties, you will be presented with the “Taskbar and Start Menu properties” box.  From here, you can further put your own personal touches on the new Windows XP start menu. Fist click on the “Customize” button next to the Start menu option. From this screen, you can choose either large or small icons for Start menu display, select...

Customizing the Windows XP Start Menu

Windows XP introduced us to the two column start menu. While the new menu evokes some uncomfortable feelings because it’s, well, new, open your mind to the possibilities.  First, because of the new Start menu, the only required desktop icon is the Recycle Bin. That’s right, you don’t have to stare at Network Neighborhood (now Network Places), My Computer or even My Documents any more. They are all...

CTRL+ALT+DEL in Windows XP

With all previous versions of Windows, save Windows 2000, pushing Ctrl+Alt+Del on a keyboard would bring up the Close Program dialog box.   In Windows XP, pushing this combination of keys brings up the multi-tabbed Windows Task Manager. A much more ominous looking version of the former Close Program box. The only tab where you will want to occasionally end a program is the "Applications" tab. The programs...

Control Your Recycle Bin

Just to get all of us on the same page, remember that when you delete a file from your computer (like a photo or Word document for example), the file does not leave the computer, it gets moved to the Recycle Bin. If you want to free up the space used by the file, you must delete it from the recycle bin. However, did you know that you can control how much space can be used by the recycle bin, stop the “are you...

Changing Shortcut Icons – Video Tip

Lately many of our tips have focused on Internet and computer safety and security. As important as these topics are, computers still do have a fun side. In fact, Adam and I often refer to computers as the ‘hot rod’ of the new millennium…you can customize it to your own liking. In today’s tip, you will learn how to customize boring old shortcuts on your desktop. Since Windows 95, Microsoft gave users...