If you have installed Windows 7, or are planning to install it, here are some tips you might find handy to help enhance your Windows 7 experience.

Get rid of desktop gadgets

Desktop gadgets have their place but sometimes they can simply get in the way too much, take too much processor resources, or simply become annoying. You can switch them off by heading into Start, Control Panel, Search for Features, then select “Turn Windows features on or off”. In this section head towards the bottom and uncheck Windows Gadget Platform then click OK. You can switch them back on again later by checking instead of clearing the option.

Minimise all windows except the current one

If you want to quickly get all the other Windows out of the way so you can focus on the way you want just hover its title bar, press and hold the mouse button, then shake the mouse (or trackpad). This will minimse all other open windows.

Secure your USB memory stick

If you only plan to use your USB memory stick on your Windows 7 computer you can secure it using BitLocker. Insert your memory stick then head to Start, then Computer, right-click on memory stick icon and select “Turn-on BitLocker” and follow the instructions. Make sure you understand what BitLocker will do before you secure your USB drive – I will take a deeper look into BitLocker in another article so check back soon.

Get familiar with the Problem Steps Recorder

When you run into trouble it can sometimes be even more troublesome trying to explain to someone else what the problem is. Fortunately, Windows 7 has the Problem Steps Recorder built in – press the Start button, type PSR, press ENTER. You will be given the option to Start Record which keeps a record of keys you press and takes handy snapshots of the screen. All of this is then then gets bundled into a single file which can help your friend see what the problem is.

Add Search Providers

Windows 7 really helps you find your files better, but you can also add in search connectors from your favourite search providers.

• If you use the Flickr image service you can download a Windows 7 Search Connector from http://www.istartedsomething.com/flickrsearch/.
• A Bing search connector is available from http://www.bing.com/community/media/p/9538349.aspx.
• A pack of search connectors can be download from Redmond Pie.

Take advantage of your windows background

Windows 7 allows you have a desktop slideshow running – rather than a fixed image all the time. To activate this right click on an empty area of the desktop and on the shortcut menu select Personalize (at the bottom of the list), from the panel select Desktop Background. Click on the browse button to choose where your images are located and click OK. Your pictures should be displayed as small preview images – simply hold down the Control Key (Ctrl) and click on all the images you want to include in your slide show. When done click Save Changes.

See all your drives

In Windows 7, by default, empty drives are not display in Computer. To fix this click on Start, then Computer, press ALT and T to go to the Tools menu and select Folder options. Click on the View tab and scroll down the list until you see Hide empty drives in the Computer folder. Uncheck this option and click OK.

There is more information Windows 7 in the Windows 7 Resource Section.