Here are some Windows essential tips and tricks which I found useful through the years. These tips applies to Windows XP, Vista and 7. For those of you using Mac, sorry guys I can only afford one computer and the reality is it is still a Windows World.
Speeding up your startup
Although Windows 7 boots up faster compared to previous versions of Windows it would still slow down as you install more softwares as they require Windows to run them on startup. Well I found this piece of software called Startup Delayer (http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay) and it is a freebie. What it does is to tell the the programs you selected to sit tight, be patient and run a little bit later after some traffic has cleared. This software is one of the best ways that I found out there to speed up a slow booting computer, even one that runs on Windows 7.
Make your PC more secure
Although Windows 7 is equipped with some solid security tools, including a firewall and anti-spyware Windows Defender, there is still a need to have a good antivirus program. Enter Microsoft’s Security Essentials. It provides real-time protection against malware and it doesn’t hog system resources. PCWorld compared it to other free anti-virus utilities and they said it holds its own. It is a fine alternative to paying an annual fee for virus protection.
As far as I know, Microsoft requires a genuine copy of Windows to be able to download the application.
Work faster
Here are some keyboard shortcuts I found useful over the years.
Toggle between applications: Press <Alt> <Tab> to switch between programs without the use of a mouse. One of the best time savers.
Navigate application windows: Use <Ctrl> <Tab> to cycle through an application’s window or through a web browser’s tab. An underrated cousin of the shortcut above.
Line up windows: Although Windows 7 made it easier to line up to windows by just simply dragging an open window left or right and let go, that is not the case with older version of Windows. Hold down <Ctrl> and click on the desired windows in the taskbar, then right-click on the task bar and choose Tile Vertically.
Create application shortcuts: Right-click on any application icon, select Properties and click the Shortcut tab. Specify a combination keystroke to start an application.
