Windows has so many ways to help you with your daily computer tasks. There are a lot more benefits and features to Windows than most PC users are aware of. Many people only learn the basic commands and functions and never fully appreciate everything their operating system can do. To help you get more familiar with the possibilities, the following are some useful Windows tips to keep in mind.
Check out a security feature that comes with Windows called the User Account Control (UAC). You may want to make adjustment to the settings. You need to make sure the settings on this Control are correct so your computer doesn’t slow down. The goal, however, is to protect your computer when you log into the internet. For example, if you set the Control so it asks you for permission whenever you want to install or change something, you may become aggravated. Conversely, if you want to protect your PC from risky content you want to keep UAC turned on to let you know when you may be preparing to do something dangerous. If Windows 7 senses that a program is trying to make a change to your PC that you didn’t initiate, it will alert you. this is the default setting. Decide which level of security you can live with and adjust the settings accordingly.
It’s always a good idea to have an extra copy of your operating system in case you ever have to re-install it, or install it on a remote computer somewhere.
A USB Flash Drive is the best thing to use to load a copy of your operating system onto. Just make sure it has the capacity to hold the whole file. This will give you the reassurance of knowing Windows can be reinstalled easily on your computer, or another computer if necessary. The reason an USB Flash Drive is the best choice is because it loads faster than a disk or when downloading from a website.
If you have owned your computer for some time, you have undoubtedly collected a lot of different files. Organizing, and knowing where your files are located, can be an intimidating project. Maybe you have already found a system that works for you, and maybe you just don’t know where to start. If your operating system is Windows XP or Windows Vista, you can organize your files in folders called My Documents and My Music, among others. Inside these folders, you can put your files which will show you date last modified, size of file, and what type of file it is, such as .txt. Windows 7 goes a step further and uses what it calls "Libraries." The choices are Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Podcasts and you can add your own. Even if a file is stored remotely, the libraries feature allows you to keep track of its location and find it easily. This feature is a convenient, advanced system that helps you organize your files in a manner that works for you.
When you are ready to search for shortcuts to make using Windows more efficient, you will find numerous tips and tricks you can use. You certainly won’t want to learn how to use every shortcut you find. The wisest course is to focus on ways you can make using Windows easier and more convenient for yourself. The Windows tips mentioned in this article are only a few of the hundreds that can be found if you take the trouble to uncover them.