Click
Start, type cmd, Enter. Type
net user administrator /active:yes and log off. The Administrator account
now shows up on the welcome screen.
Administrator Tools found in the Control Panel can provide
further system information such as which folders are being shared, services
and Task Scheduler.
Run Command If you're looking for the Run command on
the Start menu and don't find it, Right-click the Start button - Properties
- Start Menu Tab - Customize - check Display Run.
When you insert media or plug in devices, Vista presents an
Autoplay dialog box. You can set the default autoplay action from the
Control Panel. Choose Autoplay if your Control Panel is in Classic View or
Hardware and Sound then Autoplay if you are using the Vista view of the
Control Panel. Here you can establish any default actions you wish. For
example, change the
settings for your camera to Import pictures using Windows.
How big is that folder? Select, press Alt-Enter. Or.
Right-click Properties on a folder.
Password Protect a Folder. Right-click the folder, properties.
Advance button.
Shortcut Icons, where do they point to? Right-click properties
on a shortcut to see the path
Stop Windows Search Indexing. My Computer, Right-click C drive,
Properties. General tab, Remove þ
Index this drive for faster searching. The process may take up to 15 minutes but
will speed up your computer. Searching for files may become slower.
 |
Defrag is still around and a good idea,
particularly after you have cleaned up your files or deleted software.
Choose Computer then right-click the C drive. Choose Properties. Do a
Disk Cleanup while you're here. |
Since I don't search my computer
often, I uncheck Index this drive for faster searching. This can take up to 15
minutes but speeds up your computer. Defrag is on the Tools tab.
Notice Scandisk is now called
Error-Checking. Error-Checking looks for files that have been corrupted and
removes them. Poor performance when running error-checking would indicate a
likely harddrive failure.
 |
Control Panel (Classic
View) System icon. Click the Performance link in the lower-left.
Here you can manage startup programs, visual effect, indexing options an
more. |
| |
|
Standby - shuts down
energy-consuming components (CPU & Harddrive) but leaves information in RAM so
you're back in business when you return to normal operations. Tap the power
button, press a key on the keyboard or reposition your mouse to return to normal
state.
Hibernation - different in XP and
Vista. Your active programs are saved to the harddrive and the computer shuts
down completely.
Sleep - combination of Standby and
Hibernation. Monitor is black. All programs saved in their current state so when
you "wake up" you can start where you left off. Press key or move mouse to wake
up.
Turn off Hibernate
Control Panel - System and
Maintenance (Home View) Power Options (Classic View). Click Change plan
settings under the currently selected plan. Then, Change Advanced Power
Settings. Use the plus in front of Sleep. Use the plus in front of Hibernate
After. Click the current setting and change to 0.
| While you can access Search from the titlebar of
any folder in addition to the old Start - Search - For Files or
Folders you will get better results with a tweak. Control Panel -
Folder Options. Use the Search tab at the top to set your default
search preferences and safe time. The typical user searches
for file names and can turn off content searching. Chances are you
don't need to include system directories. |
 |
User Access Control is that annoying extra security that asks
"are you sure you want to continue." If you've had to hit "continue" one too
many times, go to User Accounts in the Control Panel. Just click Turn User
Account Control on or off.
Firewall settings can be modified through the Control Panel,
Windows Firewall then Change Settings.
Services are computer programs or process that runs in the
background and provide support to other programs. Setting a Restore Point and
backing up the registry are suggested in the event that turning off a service
causes a problem.
Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl - Alt - Delete. Click the
Services tab. The Services button at the bottom provides more useful
information. You can right-click to make changes.
An online catalog of processes can be found at
http://www.processlibrary.com/directory/ More sophisticated diagnose
software can be found at Microsoft's
Windows
Sysinternals
| Windows E |
Windows Explorer |
| Windows T |
Cycle through Taskbar Applications |
| Windows M |
Minimize all Windows |
| Windows D |
Desktop |
| Windows Pause |
System Properties |
| Windows R |
Run Command |
 |
If you don't see the Sidebar, turn it on by clicking
the Start button and typing "sidebar."
Properties to select your preferences for Sidebar startup, or always
on top.
Add Gadgets. Try them all because they're so easy to turn back off.
|
Get more gadgets online is a great resource. Vista Shutdown
Control under Top downloads is a favorite. Typically when prompted just choose
Open, then Install. They are all unverified.
Search for gadgets when browsing the online selection.
Dictionary, news, quotes, tips, etc.
Each Gadget has a little x and wrench available when you hover
over the Gadget. Click the x to close the gadget or the wrench to customize it.
Start - Run (or just type in the Start Search box) "regedit" HKEY_CURRENT_USER\CONTROL
PANEL\DESKTOP. Modify the subkey for MenuShowDelay to 0
Look under Accessories for the new Snipping Tool. This great tool
makes it easy to capture screenshoots.
ALT-Tab provides live previews of open applications or use the
Switch Between Application button located on the Quick Launch (Right-click the
Taskbar and select Toolbars - Quick Launch) for a three dimensional view of open
windows.
All versons are on the CD but the license key determines which edition is
activated and installed. You can upgrade your version through the Control Panel
Windows Anytime Upgrade icon.
Vista Home Basic
The Aero interface is absent. Security is good. Parental
Controls. No HDTV recording, not for tablet PCs.
Vista Home Premium $239.00 Offers Aero interface. DVD creation included.
Extra games and digital photo management tool
Vista Business $299.00 geared toward corporate file-sharing,
collaboration, capability to send and receive faxes.
Vista Ultimate $399.00 entitles you to premium customer support and exclusive
downloadable content. Feature BitLocker to safely encrypt files and maximized
the performance of 3D games.
Microsoft Mail
Repair a corrupt mailstore. Start -
Run - CMD
esentutl /p
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\windowsmail.msmessagestore
To Defrag
esentutl /d
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\windowsmail.msmessagestore
Check Integrity
esentutl /g
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\windowsmail.msmessagestore
