175 Windows 7 Tweaks, Tips & How-To Guides

Windows 7: A Comprehensive Guide – Over 175 Articles

Today marks the official release of Windows 7. Our team has been diligently creating and updating content to cover all aspects of this operating system, resulting in a collection of over 175 articles dedicated to Windows 7.

Acquiring Windows 7

If you haven’t yet obtained your copy of Windows 7, it is now available for purchase on platforms like Amazon. Alternatively, you can visit your local technology retailer for immediate access. For most users, we suggest the Home Premium edition, although Ultimate or Professional versions are available for those seeking additional features.

Important Note: Users currently running the Release Candidate version can find instructions on upgrading to the final release (RTM) in our dedicated guide. It’s also crucial to remember that downgrading from Ultimate to Home edition is not supported; a compatibility chart is available for clarification.

Navigating the How-To Geek Windows 7 Resources

Given the extensive number of articles we’ve produced, we’ve compiled this roundup to provide a central location for accessing them. For a more concise overview, you can explore our selection of the 20 Best Windows Tweaks that remain effective in Windows 7.

We encourage you to bookmark our Windows 7 category and share it with anyone who might find it useful.

Exploring New Windows 7 Features

While Windows 7 shares many similarities with Vista, it introduces several new features. The following articles detail these enhancements:

• Disable User Account Control (UAC) the Easy Way on Win 7 or Vista
• How to Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to RTM (Final Release)
• Add the Quick Launch Bar to the Taskbar in Windows 7
• Change the Windows 7 Taskbar to Work Like Vista
• The 20 Best Windows Tweaks that Still Work in Windows 7
• Migrate XP to Windows 7 with Easy Transfer and a USB Drive
• Migrate XP to Windows 7 with Easy Transfer Over the Network
• Access Frequently Used Items in Windows 7 with Jump Lists
• Access Hidden Regional Themes in Windows 7
• Awesome Desktop Wallpapers: The Windows 7 Edition
• BitLocker To Go Encrypts Portable Flash Drives in Windows 7
• Disable Aero Shake in Windows 7
• Disable Aero Snap (the Mouse Drag Window Arranging Feature in Windows 7)
• Disable Sidebar / Desktop Gadgets on Windows 7
• Disable System Restore in Windows 7
• What is conhost.exe and Why Is It Running?
• Make Sure your Computer Can Run Windows 7 with Upgrade Advisor
• Make the Windows 7 Taskbar Work More Like Windows XP or Vista
• How To Manage UAC Notifications in Windows 7
• Make Windows Live Messenger Minimize to the System Tray in Windows 7
• Manage Devices the Easy Way with Device Stage in Windows 7
• What You Should Expect from the Windows 7 Beta
• Manage Files and Documents Easier with Libraries in Windows 7
• Stream Media To Other Computers on a Home Network with Windows 7
• Easily Backup & Import Your Wireless Network Settings in Windows 7
• Extend the Windows 7 Trial from 30 to 120 Days
• GeekNewb: Get to Know These Windows 7 Hotkeys
• Share Files and Printers between Windows 7 and XP
• Share Files and Printers in Windows 7 with HomeGroup
• How to Drag Files to the Taskbar to Open Them in Windows 7
• Search Websites from Your Desktop in Windows 7 with Search Connectors
• Install Windows Live Essentials In Windows 7
• New Features in WordPad and Paint in Windows 7
• Simple Tips: Windows 7 Volume Mixer Enables Quick Access to Sound Settings
• Use Problem Steps Recorder to Help Troubleshoot Windows 7
• Using Backup and Restore in Windows 7

Keyboard Shortcuts and Customization

We offer a wealth of articles focused on keyboard shortcuts and customization options within Windows 7.

• Add Home Directory Icon to the Desktop in Windows 7 or Vista
• Add Internet Explorer Icon to Windows 7 / Vista Desktop
• "Up" Keyboard Shortcut for Windows 7 or Vista Explorer
• Hotkey for Creating New Folder in Windows Explorer
• Bring Misplaced Off-Screen Windows Back to Your Desktop (Keyboard Trick)
• Create a Shortcut for Locking Your Computer Screen in Windows 7 or Vista
• Create a Shortcut Icon or Hotkey to Turn Windows 7 / Vista Firewall On or Off
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Clear the Clipboard in Windows
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Eject the CD/DVD Drive
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Immediately Eject a Specific USB Drive
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Mute the System Volume in Windows
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Open Task Manager's "All Users" View in Windows 7 or Vista
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Run CCleaner Silently
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Switch Power Plans
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Turn Off the Monitor
• Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Turn the Desktop Icons On or Off
• Create a Shortcut to Enable/Disable Aero Transparency in 7 / Vista
• Create a Shortcut to Search Your IE Favorites With Windows 7 or Vista Search
• Create a Shortcut to the Stored User Names and Passwords Dialog in Windows
• Create Administrator Mode Shortcuts Without UAC Prompts in Windows 7 or Vista
• Create Icons to Start the Screensaver on Windows 7 or Vista
• Create Shutdown / Restart / Lock Icons in Windows 7 or Vista
• Map Any Key to Any Key on Windows 7 / XP / Vista
• Quickly Open Network Connections List in Windows 7 or Vista

Context Menu Modifications

Enhance your right-click menu with these helpful tweaks:

• Add "Open with Notepad" to the Context Menu for All Files
• Add "Run as Administrator" for AutoHotkey Scripts in Windows 7 or Vista
• Add "Run as Administrator" to Any File Type in Windows 7 or Vista
• Add "Take Ownership" to Explorer Right-Click Menu in Win 7 or Vista
• Add Copy To / Move To on Windows 7 or Vista Right-Click Menu
• Add Defragment to the Right-Click Menu for a Drive
• Add Disk Cleanup to the Right-Click Menu for a Drive
• Create a Context Menu Item to Copy a List of Files to the Clipboard in Windows 7 / Vista / XP
• Create a Context Menu Item to Copy a Text File To the Clipboard in Windows 7 / Vista / XP

Disabling Unwanted Features

Customize your Windows 7 experience by disabling features you don’t need:

• Disable User Account Control (UAC) the Easy Way on Win 7 or Vista
• Disable Aero on Windows 7 or Vista
• Disable Caps Lock Key in Windows 7 or Vista
• Disable Delete Confirmation Dialog in Windows 7 or Vista
• Disable Power Management on Windows 7 or Vista
• Disable Program Compatibility Assistant in Windows 7 and Vista
• Disable Shortcut Icon Arrow Overlay in Windows 7 or Vista
• Disable System Restore in Windows 7 or Vista
• Disable the "Send To" Folder on the Windows Explorer Context Menu
• Disable the Annoying "This page has an unspecified potential security risk" When Using Files on a Network Share
• Disable the Irritating Sticky / Filter Keys Popup Dialogs
• Disable Thumbnail Previews in Windows 7 or Vista Explorer
• Disable User Account Control (UAC) the Easy Way on Win 7 or Vista
• Disable User Account Control(UAC) For Administrators Only
• Disable Win+X Shortcut Keys on Windows 7 or Vista
• 4 Ways to Make UAC Less Annoying on Windows 7 / Vista
• Disable Windows Mobility Center in Windows 7 or Vista
• Disable/Enable Lock Workstation Functionality (Windows + L)
• Easily Disable Win 7 or Vista's Aero Before Running an Application (Such as a Video Game)
• Hide Desktop Icon Text on Windows 7 or Vista
• Hide Drives from Your Computer in Windows 7 or Vista
• Hide, Delete, or Destroy the Recycle Bin Icon in Windows 7 or Vista
• Make User Account Control (UAC) Stop Blacking Out the Screen in Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Delete a System File in Windows 7 or Vista
• Enable or Disable UAC From the Windows 7 / Vista Command Line
• How to Delete a Windows Service in Windows 7, Vista or XP
• Remove "Shortcut" Text From New Shortcuts in Windows 7 or Vista
• Remove Gadgets and Screen Resolution on Windows 7 Desktop Context Menu
• Remove the Ugly "Send Feedback" Link in Windows 7 Beta
• Stop Windows Update from Hijacking the Sleep/Shutdown Button
• Temporarily Disable Windows Update's Automatic Reboot in Win7 or Vista
• Turn Off Windows Explorer Click Sounds in Windows 7 or Vista
• Turn on Remote Desktop in Windows 7 or Vista
• Uninstall, Disable, or Delete Internet Explorer 8 from Windows 7
• Stopping Obnoxious MSN / Windows Live Messenger Spammers
• Completely Disable the System Tray on Windows 7 / Vista / XP

Geeky Tricks and Miscellaneous Tweaks

For those who enjoy exploring the more unusual aspects of Windows 7, we’ve compiled a list of “stupid geek tricks” and other miscellaneous configuration tweaks.

• Stupid Geek Tricks: Navigate in the File Open/Save Dialog With the Keyboard
• Stupid Geek Tricks: Open an Explorer Window from the Command Prompt's Current Directory
• Stupid Geek Tricks: Secret Items on the Windows 7 Send To Menu
• Stupid Geek Tricks: Undo an Accidental Move or Delete With a Keyboard Shortcut
• Stupid Geek Tricks: Using 7-Zip as a Blazing Fast File Browser
• Stupid Geek Tricks: Windows 7 Easter Egg Shows the XP Alt-Tab Prompt
• Hidden Trick to Close Windows Explorer in Windows 7 or Vista
• Keyboard Ninja: Toggle File Extension Display With a Shortcut Key in Windows
• Scroll the Window Under the Mouse in Windows 7 / XP / Vista
• Switch Windows by Hovering the Mouse Over a Window in Windows 7 or Vista
• Boost Your Mouse Pointing Accuracy in Windows
• Quick Tip: Change Monitor Timeout From Command Line
• Always Start an Application in Administrator Mode on Windows 7 or Vista
• Make Windows 7 or Vista Log On Automatically
• Mount an ISO image in Windows 7 or Vista
• Backup/Copy Files that are "In Use" or "Locked" in Windows (Command Line)
• Change Start Menu to Use Small Icons in Windows 7 or Vista
• Change the Number of Recent Items Shown on the Windows 7 / Vista Start Menu
• Change the Windows 7 or Vista Power Buttons to Shut Down/Sleep/Hibernate
• Change Your Computer Name in Windows 7 or Vista
• Add "My Computer" to Your Windows 7 / Vista Taskbar
• Display My Computer Icon on the Desktop in Windows 7 or Vista
• Enable Additional Clocks in Windows 7 or Vista
• Get the Classic Start Menu in Windows 7
• Enable Military Time in Windows 7 or Vista
• Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 7 or Vista
• Using Windows 7 or Vista Compatibility Mode
• Using Windows 7 or Vista System Restore
• Configure Disk Defragmenter Schedule in Windows 7 or Vista
• Create a Restore Point for Windows 7 or Vista's System Restore
• Create a System Restore Point in Windows 7
• Customize the Manufacturer Support Info in Windows 7 or Vista
• Customize the Notification Area in Windows 7 Using Local Group Policy
• Easily Set Default OS in a Windows 7 / Vista and XP Dual-boot Setup
• Enable Run Command on Windows 7 or Vista Start Menu
• How to Create a System Image in Windows 7
• How to Install IIS on Windows 7 or Vista
• Quick Tip: Change the Registered Owner in Windows
• Resize a Partition for Free in Windows 7 or Vista
• Set Icons in Win7 / Vista to Open With a Single Click Instead of Double-Click
• Restore Missing Desktop Icons in Windows 7 or Vista
• Run a Command as Administrator from the Windows 7 / Vista Run box
• Enable Mapping to \\Hostname\C$ Share on Windows 7 or Vista
• Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account on Windows 7 or Vista

Conclusion

This extensive collection of articles provides a comprehensive resource for Windows 7 users. Feel free to share this list with others. Perhaps you could even print it out and fashion it into paper airplanes to test their aerodynamic capabilities!