Cleanup & Make the Windows Context Menu’s “New” Folder Open Faster

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By default when you right-click your desktop to get to the Context Menu’s New folder, there is a lot of items you probably don’t use. Here we look at how to clean up the menu for faster access in creating a new folder.

Creating a New Folder on the Desktop

To create a new folder on the desktop Right-Click an empty area New \ Folder. The problem with this is there is a bunch of items in the list that you probably don’t even use and it takes longer to get to the Folder.

It really depends on where you are on the screen though. Sometimes you can right-click and Folder is right there for easy access.

Then other times it might be over the the left up high on the list.

ShellNewHandler

Rather than having to deal with worrying about proper Desktop placement, we’re going to use a slick utility called ShellNewHandler to clean up the unnecessary items on the list. It is a small executable that requires no installation and is portable. Simply launchShellNewHandler.exe then uncheck the items from the Context Menu that you don’t use and click Ok.

In our example we are using Windows7 x64 Ultimate edition and ended up disabling everything…

Now when we go to create a new folder on your Desktop, it’s right there!  Although, there’s still the Briefcase…yep the Briefcase still exists!

Remove the Briefcase

We can go a step further and remove the Briefcase from the context menu as well with a simple Registry hack. Open the Registry by typing regedit into the Search box in the Start Menu.

Now Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Briefcase (If you don’t want to scroll all the way down to it. Go to Edit \ Find and type in Briefcase). Expand the Briefcase folder and delete the ShellNew sub-key and all of it’s values.

Select Yes to the confirmation dialog box and close out of the Registry editor.

That’s it! Now it’s a clean Context Menu with only New Folder…Awesome!

If you’ve found it to be very annoying to create a new folder on your desktop, using ShellNewHandler will allow you to clean up the Context Menu for faster access. If all you want is the new folder option, with a quick Registry hack, you can get rid of that too.

Download ShellNewHandler

Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/20813/cleanup-make-the-windows-context-menus-new-folder-open-faster/

So how do you start your favorite program?

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All versions of Windows provided alternate ways to open programs. The most common method was through the Start menu where you selected All Programs, scrolled to the Program command and then clicked it. Sounds straight forward but finding a program command from a long list was confusing for some.

However, smart operators used other methods which were more efficient as well as quicker. They pinned their favorite program shortcut icon onto the Start menu or created a Desktop shortcut for it.

I’m no longer a fan of adding shortcuts to the Start menu or to the Desktop for that matter as there are better options available.

Personally, I dislike Desktop Clutter so I generally keep my Desktop icons to essentials only – User Files, Computer, Network and Recycle Bin. My screen is lean and mean!

Clutter Free Desktop with Taskbar fully utilized

Alternatively, you could use the Run dialog box to open a program. You’ll find this on the Start menu. Providing you know the Start Up command (this must be exact), typing it in the box and clicking Ok opens the program.

Under Windows XP, many users found the Quick Launch Toolbar a useful tool. It was a simple matter to drag important Desktop shortcut icons onto it, adding to the regular icons already there, Internet Explorer, Show Desktop and Media Player.

So having decried all of the common ways to access Programs under the previous versions of Windows, what did I do?

Windows 7 provides better, and quicker access to that favorite program. I add program shortcuts to the Taskbar.

Adding Program Shortcuts to the Taskbar

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select All Programs.
3. In the menu, right click on the program you want.
4. In the context menu, select Pin to Taskbar.

   

   Pining a Shortcut

Removing Program Shortcuts from the Taskbar

Just as you can add shortcuts to the Taskbar, you can also remove unwanted ones.

1. Right click on the shortcut you want to remove.
2. In the context menu, select Unpin.

Unpinning Shortcut

Super Quick Access

An added bonus is that the first ten program shortcuts added to the Taskbar are numbered from 1 – 10. So, if Internet Explorer is in the No 1 position, press the Windows key and numeral 1 and it opens. 

Now this is fine for those programs you use on a regular basis, but what happens if you want to use one you haven’t accessed for a long time? 

Here’s a different approach! It involves using Search! 

Putting Search through its Paces!

1. Open the Start menu.
2. In the Search box, type the name of the program (even a part name will do!).
3. Search goes to work finding any reference to the name.
4. Double-click on its name and the program opens.

Using Search to access a Program

Opening a File Using Search

An added bonus of this method is providing you know the name of the file (again even part of its name), you can open a file directly by double-clicking on it.

Opening a File via Search

Source: http://windows7news.com/2010/06/27/so-how-do-you-start-your-favourite-program/

Increase the Speed of the Aero Taskbar Thumbnails in Windows 7

Friendly Computers found this article useful for Windows 7 users and would like to share it with you.

By default you may notice that there is a slight delay when hovering your mouse over a Taskbar Thumbnail. Here is a neat registry hack that will allow you to speed it up.

Registry Hack

First type regedit into the search box in the Start Menu and hit Enter.

Now navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced and right-click to create a new DWORD and name it ExtendedUIHoverTime.

Now double-click on it and give it a Decimal value of “1” click OK, close out of Registry Editor, then logoff and back on for it to go into effect.

When you come back, you’ll notice when you hover your mouse over a thumbnail of an open app on the Taskbar the preview pops up instantly with no delay.

Slow it Down

If for some reason you want to slow it down you can do that too. Just change the Decimal value to something else like 1000 which is milliseconds. Then the delay will be a lot longer. You can change the value to whatever you want for your needs. We’re not sure why anyone would want to slow the preview down, but you never know.

If you’re annoyed by the small delay that takes place when hovering over a thumbnail on the Taskbar, this neat registry hack will fix the annoyance. If you want to increase the size of the Thumbnail Previews check out our article on using Windows 7 Taskbar Thumbnail Customizer.

Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/20052/increase-the-speed-of-the-aero-taskbar-thumbnails-in-windows-7/

Securely wipe your data with a hidden Windows 7 tool

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There are a huge number of third-party tools to allow you to securely wipe all the data on a hard disk in Windows, but did you know that Windows 7 itself contains a hidden utility for not only wiping data on drives, but also down to specific folders if you wish?

While I’ve been writing my new book,Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out, I’ve had to research all sorts of stuff in Windows7 (and I’ll be sharing more in coming weeks) and one of the little gems I found is a command line utility called Cipher.exe.

This is run from the Command Prompt (you’ll need to run it as an Administrator) and is simplicity itself to use.

The command is Simply cipher /w x:\folder where you would substitute x:\folder for the location you want wiped, for instance your D:\ drive or your C:\Users\Mike Halsey\Musicfolder.

In the help for the command it says it…

removes data from available unused disk space on the entire volume.  If this option is chosen, all other options are ignored.  The directory specified can be anywhere in a local volume.  If it is a mount point of points to a directory in another volume, the data on that volume will be removed.

This will then write 1s, 0s and then random characters to each sector of the drive to securely wipe the data.

This is but one purpose of the cipher tool which is generally used to backup and restore encryption keys for the EFS (Encrypted File System) system that’s been around since Windows 2000.  This wipe feature though is new to Windows 7.

I would always recommend you use any tool like this with extreme care, but if you are dumping a hard drive or replacing an ageing PC, this is an excellent and completely free way to wipe your data forever.

Source: http://windows7news.com/2010/06/20/securely-wipe-your-data-with-a-hidden-windows-7-tool/

Microsoft Sending Invites For Testers To Try Windows 7 SP1 Beta

Frindly Computers found this article interesting and would like to share it with you.

Windows 7 SP1 may still be a couple of months down the line, but Microsoft have already begun assembling the group of testers who will receive the first beta of Service Pack (SP) 1 for Windows 7 along with Windows Server 2008 R2 in July.

The guys from Redmond have started sending out invitations to those who they wish to have involved in the program, so it wont be an open beta like Windows 7 itself was. According to the invitations, the SP1 beta will be in English, German, Japanese, French and Spanish.

At Microsoft’s TechEd conference last week, they did say to expect the Beta of SP1 to come along sometime in July, so it appears they are sticking to that promise. Zdnet, have reported that they expect it to be delivered in Mid-July around the time Microsoft holds its Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington.

We have no word on the official release of the first Service Pack for Windows 7, but the rumors so far point to a Q4 2010 release. We already know that SP1 won’t include any major changes or new features, instead it’s just going to clear up and fix any bug issues that are still lingering in the OS.

Of course Microsoft are stressing to the world and mainly businesses that you don’t have to wait for the first service pack before you upgrade to Windows 7. For once this is true, where as with Windows Vista, you really did need to wait, but Windows 7 is a different ball game all together.

Here’s a copy of the invitation below that’s been sent to testers;

You are receiving this invitation based on the quality of feedback you have provided on previous Windows programs and the Microsoft Windows release team would like you to participate in the Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) release program, to be available shortly, as announced at the Microsoft’s TechEd conference.

Accepting this invitation will allow you to access pre-release versions of the Service Pack for the purposes of validating the release readiness. We highly value your past feedback and know we can count on you again to help us build a great new version of Windows!

The SP1 release version is not available quite yet but we need to assemble a great team of program peers early so you are ready to go when we are! If you accept this invitation you’ll be notified when the release version becomes available.

What you will get if you choose to participate

• Early access to downloadable Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 releases
• Access to private newsgroups to share information about the release with other program peers and with Microsoft staff
• The ability to report bugs and track their status
• An opportunity to help us build a better Windows by validating the release readiness

What we will ask of you if you choose to participate

• Download and install Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 on at least one PC each
• File bugs if you encounter them as well as respond to surveys as you can.
• Validation we are seeking
o Set-up and installation
o Application Experience/Compatibility
o Device Experience/Compatibility
• We ask that you actively participate in discussions on the newsgroups and share your opinions with us and others

Things you should know about Windows 7 and the beta program

• The bits will be available in English, German, Japanese, French and Spanish.
• The beta is conducted in English (feedback / bug reports should be in English).
• Availability will be via download only of the SP1 update. You will need access to a PC with Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 already installed
• PCs that support and run Windows 7 should allow you to run Windows 7 SP1.
• Servers that support and run Windows Server 2008 R2 should allow you to run Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

We appreciate your help in developing and releasing a high-quality Service Pack release for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, there will not be any free gift for participating in this program.

Getting Started

While the release is not quite available now, we know you are excited to get started so we have opened the newsgroups so you may begin renewing contacts with previous participants as well as meeting new testing peers. After accepting the invitation, you will be able to sign into Microsoft Connect and go to the “Windows 7 SP1 Beta” for more information on the newsgroups.

The team would like to thank you in advance for helping make this our best SP release to date and we look forward to your validation!

Regards,
The Windows Customer Connection Team

Source: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-sends-invitations-to-testers-for-windows-7-server-2008-r2-sp1/6550

Enable DreamScene in Any Version of Windows 7

Friendly Computers would like to share this article with you.

Windows DreamScene was a utility available for Vista Ultimate that allowed users to set video as desktop wallpaper. It was dropped in Windows 7, but we’ll take a look at how to play DreamScenes in all versions of Windows 7 or Vista.

Downloading DreamScenes

First, you’ll need to find some DreamScenes to download. We’ve found some nice ones at both DreamScene.org and DeviantArt. You can find those download links at the end of the article. They’ll come as compressed files, so you’ll need to extract them after downloading.

Windows 7 DreamScene Activator

If you are running Windows 7 you can use Windows 7 DreamScene Activator. This free portable utility enables DreamScene in both 32 & 64 bit versions of Windows 7. Users can then set either MPG or WMV files as desktop wallpaper.

Download and extract the Windows 7 DreamScene Activator (link below). Once extracted, you’ll need to run the application as administrator. Right-click on the .exe and select Run as administrator.

Click on Enable DreamScene. This will also restart Windows Explorer if it is open.

To play your DreamScene, browse for the file in Windows Explorer, right-click the file and select Set as Desktop Background.

Enjoy your new Windows 7 DreamScene.

Although it says it is for Windows 7 only, we were able to get it to work with no problems on Vista Home Premium x32 as well.

You can Pause the DreamScene at anytime by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Pause DreamScene.

When you are ready for a change, click Disable DreamScene and switch back to your previous wallpaper.

Using VLC Media Player

Users of all versions of Windows 7 & Vista can enable a DreamScene using VLC. Recently, we showed you how to set a video as your desktop wallpaper in VLC.  Since DreamScenes are in MPEG or WMV format, we will use the same tactic to display them as desktop wallpaper. We’ll just need to make a few additional tweaks to the VLC settings.

You’ll need to download and install VLC media player if you don’t already have it. You can find the download link below. Next, select Tools > Preferences from the Menu.

Select the Video button on the left and then choose DirectX video output from the Output dropdown list.

Next, select All under Show Settings at the lower left, then select the Video button on the left pane. Uncheck Show media title on video. This will prevent VLC from constantly showing the title of the video on the screen each time the video loops. Click Save and the restart VLC.

Now we will add the video to our playlist and set it to continuously loop. Select View > Playlist from the Menu.

Select the Add file button from the bottom of the Playlist window and select Add file.

Browse for your file and click Open.

Click the Loop button at the bottom so the video plays in a continuous loop.

Now, we’re ready to play the video. After the video starts playing, select Video > DirectX Wallpaper from the Menu, then minimize VLC.

If you’re using Aero Themes, you may get a pop-up warning and Windows will switch automatically to a basic theme.

If looping one video gets to be a little repetitive, you can add multiple videos to your playlist in VLC and loop the entire playlist. Just make sure you toggle the Loop button on the playlist window to Loop All.

Now you’ve got a nice DreamScene playing on your desktop. Another cool trick you can do with VLC is take snapshots of favorite movie scenes and set them as backgrounds.

When you’re ready to go back to your old wallpaper, maximize VLC, select Video and click DirectX Wallpaper again to turn it off the video background. Occasionally we were left with a black screen and had to manually change our wallpaper back to normal even after turning off the DirectX Wallpaper.

Note: Keep in mind that using the VLC method takes up a lot of resources so if you try to run it on older hardware, or say a netbook, you’re not going to get good results. We also tried to use the VLC method in XP, but couldn’t get it to work. If you have leave a comment and let us know.

While the DreamScene feature never really caught on in Vista, we find them to be a cool way to pump a little life into your desktop on any version of Vista or Windows 7.

Downloads

DreamScenes from Dreamscene.org

DreamScenes from DeviantArt

Download VLC media player

Windows 7 DreamScene Activator

Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/19525/enable-windows-dreamscene-in-any-version-of-windows/

Integrate Nitro PDF Reader with Windows 7

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Would you like a lightweight PDF reader that integrates nicely with Office and Windows 7?  Here we look at the new Nitro PDF Reader, a nice PDF viewer that also lets you create and markup PDF files.

Adobe Reader is the de-facto PDF viewer, but it only lets you view PDFs and not much else.  Additionally, it doesn’t fully integrate with 64-bit editions of Vista and Windows 7.  There are many alternate PDF readers, but Nitro PDF Reader is a new entry into this field that offers more features than most PDF readers.

From the creators of the popular free PrimoPDF printer, the new Reader lets you create PDFs from a variety of file formats and markup existing PDFs with notes, highlights, stamps, and more in addition to viewing PDFs.  It also integrates great with Windows 7 using the Office 2010 ribbon interface.

Getting Started

Download the free Nitro PDF Reader (link below) and install as normal.  Nitro PDF Reader has separate versions for 32 & 64-bit editions of Windows, so download the correct one for your computer.

Note:  Nitro PDF Reader is still in Beta testing, so only install if you’re comfortable with using beta software.

On first run, Nitro PDF Reader will ask if you want to make it the default PDF viewer.  If you don’t want to, make sure to uncheck the box beside Always perform this check to keep it from opening this prompt every time you use it.

It will also open an introductory PDF the first time you run it so you can quickly get acquainted with its features.

Windows 7 Integration

One of the first things you’ll notice is that Nitro PDF Reader integrates great with Windows 7.  The ribbon interface fits right in with native applications such as WordPad and Paint, as well as Office 2010.

If you set Nitro PDF Reader as your default PDF viewer, you’ll see thumbnails of your PDFs in Windows Explorer.  Unfortunately, this only works in 32 bit editions of Windows; if you’re using a 64 bit version, you’ll only see the Nitro PDF logo on PDF files.  Hopefully this will be fixed before the final release.

If you turn on the Preview Pane, you can read full PDFs in Windows Explorer.  Adobe Reader lets you do this in 32 bit versions, but Nitro PDF works in 64 bit versions too.

The PDF preview even works in Outlook.  If you receive an email with a PDF attachment, you can select the PDF and view it directly in the Reading Pane.  Click the Preview filebutton, and you can uncheck the box at the bottom so PDFs will automatically open for preview if you want.

Now you can read your PDF attachments in Outlook without opening them separately.  This works in both Outlook 2007 and 2010.

Edit your PDFs

Adobe Reader only lets you view PDF files, and you can’t save data you enter in PDF forms.  Nitro PDF Reader, however, gives you several handy markup tools you can use to edit your PDFs.  When you’re done, you can save the final PDF, including information entered into forms.

With the ribbon interface, it’s easy to find the tools you want to edit your PDFs.

Here we’ve highlighted text in a PDF and added a note to it.  We can now save these changes, and they’ll look the same in any PDF reader, including Adobe Reader.

You can also enter new text in PDFs.  This will open a new tab in the ribbon, where you can select basic font settings.  Select the Click To Finish button in the ribbon when you’re finished editing text.

Or, if you want to use the text or pictures from a PDF in another application, you can choose to extract them directly in Nitro PDF Reader.

Create PDFs

One of the best features of Nitro PDF Reader is the ability to create PDFs from almost any file.  Nitro adds a new virtual printer to your computer that creates PDF files from anything you can print.  Print your file as normal, but select the Nitro PDF Creator (Reader) printer.

Enter a name for your PDF, select if you want to edit the PDF properties, and click Create.

If you choose to edit the PDF properties, you can add your name and information to the file, select the initial view, encrypt it, and restrict permissions.

Alternately, you can create a PDF from almost any file by simply drag-and-dropping it into Nitro PDF Reader.  It will automatically convert the file to PDF and open it in a new tab in Nitro PDF.

Now from the File menu you can send the PDF as an email attachment so anyone can view it.

Make sure to save the PDF before closing Nitro, as it does not automatically save the PDF file.

Conclusion

Nitro PDF Reader is a nice alternative to Adobe Reader, and offers some features that are only available in the more expensive Adobe Acrobat.  With great Windows 7 integration, including full support for 64-bit editions, Nitro fits in with the Windows and Office experience very nicely.  If you have tried out Nitro PDF Reader leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Link

Download Nitro PDF Reader

Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/18139/integrate-nitro-pdf-reader-with-windows-7/