Skip to content

Windows Tips

Quick Access to a Calendar

If you’ve ever scrambled at your computer desk to find a wall calendar or
desk calendar to look up a date, then I think you will appreciate the
speed and convenience of this tip.

To find a date any time in the future or the past (or at least between
1980 and 2099) try this:

  1. Double-click on your system clock at the end of your task bar
    (usually located in the lower right of your screen)
  2. Click on the drop down box to pick your month
  3. Click on the up/down buttons to get to your desired year
  4. IMPORTANT:  Make sure you click on Cancel when finished so that
    your current date remains accurate. 

Power Toys for Windows (Windows 98)

Many computer users enjoy tweaking and customizing their computers. However, at times, this can cause problems with the performance and even the operation of the computer. 

Power Toys is an unofficial add-on (meaning Microsoft does not officially support it even though they include it on the Windows 98 CD)  to Windows. Power Toys allows you to adjust items like:

Mouse
General
Explorer
Internet Explorer
Desktop
My Computer 		Control Panel
Network
New menu
Add/Remove menu
Boot
Repair
Paranoia

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.

  1. Open the folder or drive containing the files (pictures, music, documents, etc) you would like to move.

  2. Select the file or files to move. Remember that you can use the Ctrl + Click method to select (highlight) multiple files or Ctrl + A to Select All files in a given folder

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 view, do the following:

  1. Open a folder containing your photos

  2. Click View from the menus

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 new Windows and if you have the requirements, it will be a good upgrade.

One of my favorite new features centers on the taskbar. If you keep the default XP settings, the taskbar will be bright blue and a little more noticeable than before. However, by default, the taskbar is now locked…hooray! Many consumers will appreciate this feature if they have had children or grandchildren come by the house and move their taskbar to the side or the top of the screen. Or, heck, you may have done it a time or two on accident yourself.

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).
* Keep your email folders cleaned out…especially delete unwanted Sent messages and don’t forget to empty your deleted email folder as well.
* Speaking of email, also delete any unwanted email attachments you have received (AOL users look for your downloaded files under the C drive, then AOL, then Download folder)

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 down”. Or if you own my book, the tip is on page 63.

To create your Windows XP shut down icon, follow these steps exactly:

1. RIGHT click on your Desktop
2. Click on New
3. Click on Shortcut

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 double-click on it and your machine will shut down.

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.

1. Click on Start
2. Click on Find
3. Click on Files or Folders
4. In the Named box, type any part of the file name you lost
5. Make sure that the Look In box says My Computer and the box is checked to include Subfolders
6. Click on Find Now
7. The results will appear below the find box

NOTE: When you find your file, before opening it, make a note of where it is saved by looking at its location in the In Folder column.

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 solitaire and move the cards from stack to stack.

Here are some other examples:

* Want to delete an unused icon from your desktop? Click on the icon and hold the mouse button down while dragging it to the Recycle Bin. Once over the Recycle Bin, release the mouse button and the icon disappears.