Computer Tips Archives - Page 219 of 230

Add the Control Panel to the Desktop Right-Click menu in Windows 7

Posted on March 26, 2013

windows-7 There are several ways to open the Control Panel in Windows 7, but if you use it a lot like I do you can add it to the menu that pops up whenever you right-click on the Desktop.

Important: This tip requires editing the Windows Registry, a procedure that if done incorrectly can render your system unstable, or even unbootable.

By following this tip you understand and agree that it isn’t my fault if lightning strikes your favorite tree, your flowers all shrivel up and die or your computer refuses to start up properly after editing the Registry.

If you agree with everything I just said, then feel free to create a Restore Point and then proceed as follows: [Read more…]

VistaSwitcher – Awesome replacement for the Windows Task Switcher

Posted on March 20, 2013

Chances are you use the Windows Task Switcher utility by pressing Alt+Tab in order to scroll through a series of thumbnails representing all the open windows, then switch to a different task.

If so, you are probably aware of how difficult it can be to find the task you want to switch to if there are more than just two or three windows open.

A while back I began using VistaSwitcher, a free replacement for the Windows Task Switcher, and it has turned out to be a major timesaver!

I usually have over a dozen windows open at once, and VistaSwitcher makes it easy to quickly find the one I want to switch to and get me there in a jiffy.

Once running, VistaSwitcher can be called up in one of two ways: [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I run the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) on Windows 7?

Posted on March 18, 2013

Question from Alex G.: Hi Rick. Love this site and all your tips!! I hope you can help me with a problem I’m having.

I just bought an ebook filled with Windows 7 tweaks and several of the ones I really want to try require running a program called Group Policy Editor. The instructions say to type gpedit.msc into the Search box, but when I do I get this error message:

“Windows cannot find ‘gpedit.msc’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.”

What am I doing wrong? My computer is a Dell laptop running the upgrade version of Windows 7 Home Premium. It originally came with Windows Vista.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

How to block your name from being used with Facebook Social Ads

Posted on March 17, 2013

If you’ve been on Facebook recently you might have noticed your name being used in one of Facebook’s new “Social Ads”. It usually looks something like “Rick Rouse likes AT&T” in close proximity to an ad for the AT&T Facebook page.

Basically, they’re promoting a page that you have “Liked” to your friends with the hope that your friends will take notice and visit the page. Personally, I don’t mind my friends knowing which pages I have “Liked”, but I’m not too fond of having that info used in conjunction with an ad!

If seeing your name used as part of an ad irritates you as much as it does me, you can easily opt out. Here’s how: [Read more…]

How to disable the annoying ‘Snap’ in Windows 7

Posted on March 14, 2013

windows-7 Windows 7 includes a feature that allows you to expand open windows and rearrange them on the screen by dragging them hither and yon with the mouse. Some people like it, others despise it.

I happen to be among those who find it irritating when a window suddenly expands to fill the entire screen when all I’m trying to do is move it over just a bit. If you find it irritating as well, here’s how to disable it (refer to the screenshot below): [Read more…]