Hidden secrets the average user doesn’t know about Windows 7
There are a variety of tips and system tweaks that can be applied to Windows 7 to offer better convenience and other useful features for the user. Tweaks range from easier access to files, the ability to incorporate an Internet search from the start menu and other option-settings for a quicker user-session.
Categories: GUI, Tweaks Tags: gpedit.msc, Group Policy, netplwiz, Quick Launch, Search, Start Menu, SuperBar, taskbar, toolbar
Disallow Automated Customizations in Windows 7
If you share your computer with other users and find other users’ customizations annoying then, Windows 7 allows you to block such functionality. By default, Windows 7 tracks users’ activities and tries to facilitate life by customizing the system according to the user activity such as, personalized menus, frequent programs list in the Start menu and others. One of the most annoying customizations which can happen when users share the same computer, is when users drag the taskbar to another side of the screen with the taskbar option Auto-hide enabled. Subsequent users may not be aware of such functionality and may not be able to find the taskbar at the side or top of the screen!
Categories: GUI, Tweaks Tags: Auto-hide, Customize, gpedit.msc, Group Policy, Local Group Policy, Local Group Policy Editor, taskbar, user tracking
Taskbar Labels
By default, Windows 7 gives you those little icons in the taskbar that represent open programs and windows, unlike previous versions where open applications are represented with labels. If you prefer the good old labels then you can return to the classic taskbar by following these simpe steps:
Categories: GUI, Tweaks Tags: drag, labels, lock, Never combine, small icons, taskbar, taskbar button, unlock
Taskbar Thumbnail Preview Tweaks
The Aero theme in Windows 7 gives users the ability to preview thumbnails of opened applications when hovering over the respective icons in the taskbar. You can tweak both the size and the loading time of thumbnails by modifying the registry as shown below:
Tweaking Windows Explorer default behavior
Opening Windows explorer from the taskbar icon takes you to the Library location by default. If you are annoyed with this behavior you can easily change the default location by following these steps:
