Our favourite tweaks for Microsoft's latest OS
Getting to know Windows 7? Here are 20 ways to get around the interface and make it act the way you want.
Modify UAC
The User Account Control security feature was one of the most reviled additions to Windows Vista, with good reason - its constant warning messages asking for permission to continue many operations drove users around the bend.
UAC has been significantly improved in Windows 7 so that it's not as intrusive as in Vista, but you can still tweak it if you like.
Here's how to turn UAC on or off, and make it less or more intrusive than the default:
- Go to the Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety.
- Click User Accounts, then click Change User Account Control settings.
- From the screen that appears, use the slider to select the level of protection you want.
Here are the four levels and what they mean:
Always notify me
Think of this as UAC Classic. It works like Vista's UAC: When you make changes to your system, when software is installed or when a program tries to make a change to your system, an annoying prompt appears.
Default - Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer This is, obviously, the default; make a change yourself and UAC leaves you alone.
When a program makes a change, a prompt appears and your desktop goes dark, just like it does in Vista. Otherwise, UAC sits there silently.
Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop)
This setting is identical to the default setting, with one difference. It won't dim your desktop so that you only see the UAC prompt asking you to take action.
This presents a slightly elevated security risk over the default setting, because theoretically a program could allow a malicious program to interfere with the UAC prompt.
Never notify me when
In this one, UAC is completely turned off. This is, of course, an insecure option and not recommended for most users.
After you make the selection, click ok. Depending on the selection you made, you may need to restart your system for it to take effect.
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Comments
Lou Ayers said: HelloGreat article - but it glosses over a problem that Ive been having since I installed Win 7 I cannot get Hybernation Ive asked the Microsoft Forum but no one can help Can you
John said: Several of your tips involve using the Group Policy Editor gpeditmscMost of your readers will be using Home versions of Windows which dont come with gpeditmscTheyll just get an error message if they follow your instructions
Peter Stonebridge said: I experienced Windows 7 for all of 7 days and loved it Sadly my ailing computer gave up with a motherboard fault Opinion is divided as to whether Microsoft will allow me to reload Windows 7 into my new computer being despatched shortly or whether they will force me to buy a new copy If they do I will go back to XP3 it must be cheaper A good topical talking point for readers