Thursday 7 March 2013

Ten Interesting Window 7 Features

Want to learn some cool features in Windows 7? Here is a list of ten of the lesser known but really useful features of Windows 7 which I have come along so far.
  1. Activate God Mode: If you play a lot of video games, probably, you are familiar with the GodMode using which you can access all the features like weapons, unlimited life, special moves, tricks etc. This mode is usually used by developers for testing purpose. Windows 7 has a hidden “GodMode” which lets users access all of the operating systems settings and administrative functions from a single place.
    • Create a folder in your computer.
    • Rename it as GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
    The folder icon will change into a control panel icon. Inside the folder you can find every system settings you may want. The trick is also said to work in Windows Vista, but 64-bit versions of that operating system might crash.
  2. Problem Steps Recorder: This is a really useful application of Windows 7 which can help reduce the length of calls to the support desk by providing enough information to the IT pros. This tool lets users to save the steps to cause a problem with taking step-by-step screenshots of users action.
    • Click on Start menu and type psr to open Problem steps Recorder.
    • Click Start record to begin recording your issue. You can also add comments if you like.
    • Click Stop Record when you are done.
  3. Switch to  Projector: Windows 7 now provides a standard way to switch your display from one monitor to another, or a projector.
    • Press Win+P or run displayswitch.exe and choose your preferred display.
  4. Sticky Notes: Even though this feature existed in previous versions of Windows in one form or another, it’s much easier to use in Windows 7. You can stick a note on your desktop for quick reminders.
    • Click on Start button and type “Sticky Notes” in the search box and click on Sticky Notes in the result list.
  5. Customize User Account Control (UAC): Do you want to get notified when programs try to install new software or make changes to your computer? You can control this setting through UAC.
    • Open Control Panel and click on Action Center
    • Click on Change User Account Control Settings link to open UAC window.
    • User slider to select your desired level of notification and click OK. (By default, it is set to Never Notify option)
  6. Add Options in Send To Menu: Hold down the Shift key while right clicking on a folder and select the Send To menu. You will find a number of extra options in the context menu. You can customize the menu to display the options you want even without holding the Shift key.
    • Open an explorer window and type shell:sendto in the address bar.
    • Drag the shortcuts to your preferred folders into this folder.
  7. Disable Aero Snap feature: Aero Snap feature lets you minimize, maximize or resize program windows by dragging and dropping them to the screen corners, e.g. you can maximize a window by dragging and dropping to the top of the screen. If you don’t find this feature convenient, you can disable it.
    • Open Control panel and click on Ease of Access Center icon.
    • Click on the “Make it easier to focus on tasks” link.
    • Now click on the “Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen” option and click Apply button.
  8. Undo unintentional Move/Delete/Rename/Copy operation: Have you ever accidentally deleted the wrong file, or duplicated files while trying to select hem with the mouse? These types of mistakes can be extremely frustrating, but there’s a really, really simple way to reverse them. All you have to do is use the Ctrl+Z keyboard shortcut or select Edit->Undo from the menu. This works in all version s of Windows.
  9. Burn images: Windows 7 finally introduces a feature that other operating systems have had for years – the ability to burn ISO images to CDs or DVDs. And it couldn’t be much easier to use.
    • Just double-click the ISO image, choose the drive with the blank disc, click Burn and watch as your disc is created.
  10. AppLocker: AppLocker is a completely new feature for Windows 7 that enables you to lock down certain applications for users that you specify, using rules and properties to provide access control for applications.
    • Run GPEDIT.MSC and go to Computer Configuration ➜ Windows Settings.
    • Highlight Security Settings and look for Application Control Policies. AppLocker is within this group.