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.
Windows Explorer tips
Windows Explorer is the heart and soul of the Windows interface, and overall it works quite well. But you can make it better.
New: Use check boxes to select multiple files
In order to select multiple files for an operation such as copying, moving or deleting in Windows Explorer, you generally use the keyboard and the mouse, Ctrl-clicking every file you want to select.
But if you're mouse-centric, there's a way to select multiple files in Windows 7 using only your mouse, via check boxes. To do it:
- In Windows Explorer, click Organise, and then select 'Folder and search options'.
- Click the View tab.
- In Advanced Settings, scroll down and check the box next to 'Use check boxes to select items'. Click ok.
- From now on, when you hover your mouse over a file in Windows Explorer, a check box will appear next to it; click it to select the file. Once a file is selected, the checked box remains next to it; if you uncheck it, the box will disappear when you move your mouse away.
New: Open a command prompt at any folder
Command prompt fans will welcome this tip. With it, when you're in Windows Explorer, you can open a command prompt to any folder.
This tip does exactly what the Windows XP PowerToy 'Open Command Window Here' does.
To use it, hold down the Shift key and right-click a folder, then choose 'Open command window here' from the context menu that appears. (Note that this tip doesn't work in the Documents folder.)
Protect the privacy of your Explorer searches
When you search through your PC from Windows Explorer, you can see the most recent searches that have been performed.
If you share a PC and don't want others to see what you've searched for, you can turn off the recent searches feature:
- In the Start menu's Search box, type GPEDIT.MSC and press Enter to launch the Group Policy Editor.
- Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer.
- Double-click 'Turn off display of recent search entries in the Windows Explorer search box' and select Enabled from the screen that appears.
- Then click OK. The recent searches feature will now be turned off.
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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