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Customize Your Computer
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Right-click on the Start button |
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Click on Properties | Start Menu |
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Make sure the top “Start menu” is selected (not “Classic...”) |
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Click Customize |
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Scroll down about half way, and remove the check from the box called “Highlight newly installed...” |
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Click OK | Apply | OK |
Sort Start Menu items alphabetically...
Some people like to sort things alphabetically. If you have ever had
roommates and a record collection, you will know that some people also
don’t like to sort things that way. But I digress.
In XP, it was as simple as right-clicking on the Start Menu and clicking
on “Sort by name.” You can sort by name in Vista, but you have to really
want to:
|
|
Right-click on the Start button |
|
|
Click on Properties | Start Menu |
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|
Make sure the top “Start menu” is selected not “Classic...”) |
|
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Click Customize |
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Scroll down almost all the way, and put a check in the box called “Sort All Programs menu by name.” |
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Click OK | Apply | OK |
...Or don’t use “All Programs”
at all
One of the interesting things about Vista is that most of the time you
don’t need to scroll through a bazillion start menu items to find what
you’re looking for.
If you click on the Start button, you’ll see the “Start Search” box at the
bottom of the window. Type a few characters of the name of the program
you’re looking for, and watch what happens near the top of the window.
You will see search results that match what you’re
typing. Click on the result that’s the program you want, and it will open
for you. This will work for a file name or a folder name as well.
Disable the Startup sound
If you live alone or use the computer with your door closed, maybe it’s no
big deal to hear the Vista Startup sound every time you turn on the
computer. Or reboot. If you share your space, or if you just hate hearing
that sound, I have good news for you. It’s incredibly easy to turn it off.
Once you know how.
|
|
Right-click on an empty space on the desktop |
|
|
Click on Customize | Sounds | Sounds |
|
|
Clear the check from the box called “Play Windows Startup sound” |
|
|
Click OK |
Ultimate Windows Tweaker
Most of these tweaks and many more are available in the free
Ultimate Windows Tweaker utility, available
here.
There are many ads for other downloads on that page. Take care to download
only the tweaker, from the blue button that says “Download Ultimate
Windows Tweaker.”
Also please take care using the Tweaker, and be sure to click on “Create
Checkpoint” before you do any major tweaks.
This will use Vista’s version of System Restore to let
you go back if something gets goofed up.
Links
Ultimate Windows Tweaker
http://www.winvistaclub.com/uwtf.html
Computer Care Kelowna
http://computercarekelowna.com
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives
http://rlis.com/column.htm
Get Cate's column by email
http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=20618
RSS Feed:
http://rlis.com/rlis.xml
--
Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your
computer get along!
Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users
and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment
phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and
suggestions. Send email to
help@computercarekelowna.com.
You can read previous
columns here. If you'd like to subscribe to this column by
email, please visit this link It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the
RSS Feed, click here.
©
Cate Eales 2009 – All Rights Reserved
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