Here are few smarter clicks for using Windows7 productively. You will be amazed by the time you save at work every day knowing these simple tips.  So this one is dedicated to all those who are contented with Windows 7 amidst the Windows 8 hype.

Start Menu

• Pinning the favorite Applications to Start Menu is known to every Windows user. Each file of the application can be pinned too for easy access of the files often used. This works for Microsoft Office Softwares, Media Players, Browsers, Notepad, WordPad, etc.

• Search internet from Start Menu <-Click here.

• Like pinning the applications, you can add the locations of your most used files to Favorites. Drag and drop the folders to create a link in Favorites found at the left panel.

• How could you save time with this? You can add your Cloud Storage System to Favorites and just drop the files and folders there easily. Ergo your files are managed, available on the cloud for anytime use and organized for easy access too.
• But when you drag and drop to your Cloud Storage, the files and folders dropped there might be moved, not copied in case the Cloud Storage System and Source folder are at the same drive. Just hold Ctrl key down when you drag and drop so that file or folder will be copied but moved.
  
• Usually a file/folder will be copied when the source and destination folders are at different drives and moved when at same drive. Use Shift key + drag and drop to move the files and Ctrl + drag and drop to copy the files, no matter which drive the source and destination folders are at.

• Anyone else who miss the Windows Media Plyer toolbar which is not in Win7? Bring it back then.

 

•  Download wmpband.dll and copy it into Windows Media Player folder found at Program Files. If you use 64 bit version, then download wmpbamd.dll of both 32 bit and 64 bit and place them under Windows Media Player folder found at Program Files (x86) and Program files respectively.

• 1. Type Services from Start Menu and open the Services panel (present under Administrative tools). Locate the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and stop it.
  2. Run Command Prompt as Administrator and execute this command : regsvr32 “C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll”. For 64 bit version, execute regsvr32 “C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll” as well.
  3. Now you can start the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service again and run Windows Media Player.
  4. Right click the Taskbar, open toolbars and check Windows Media Player. In case it is not available, close the taskbar properties and reopen. Tada!

• You can also rearrange the icons in the notification bar. Just drag and drop and set them as you prefer.

• Drag and drop any mail to Calendar or Tasks or Contacts, content will be added as the body of the meeting schedule or attached as a note And for contacts, the Email ID, and Notes field are automatically populated with the mail content.
• Personal folders are a great way of storing emails and securing backups too. Link as many mails accounts as you want and store your important emails at your local system.

• Create Search Folders to easily navigate through classified emails. Search folders can be set for the emails filtered by specifically customized criteria.

Dock Bar

• When Desktop shortcuts, Taskbar, Start Menu icons are not enough, Dock Bar comes to the rescue. You can open the dock without closing our minimizing the current Window you are using. It is simple and easy to simply move the pointer to the top of the desktop and choose the application. Install a Dock bar if you don’t have one. Stylish Circular Dock bars are available too.

Shortcuts

Few Windows shortcuts that come handy:

• ResizeWindow easily by pressing Win + Arrow keys, as you wish to resize. Example: Windows key + Up Arrow key maximize the window or restore to its original size.
• Win + M combination minimizes all the windows.
• Win + Space keys let you glance the desktop and get back to the same window once you release the keys.
• Open in new tab/window:  Instead of Right-click and opening a link or folder, try pressing the Scroll Key. Simple! You can also enable Auto-Scroll by Double Clicking the Scroll Key.

• You can setShortcut keys for any software by modifying the properties. Open the properties and set your own shortcut key for softwares. These shortcuts are accessible even while using other Software Applications.
• Send to function appears when you right click any file. It enables the user to set shortcut for files at desktop and you can also copy the file to any location by holding the Shift key and selecting Send to command. This also brings up the ‘Open Command Window here’ Command.

Apart from these, Microsoft OneNote is one remarkable feature which has been my favourite always for scribbling, drawing, painting, taking notes and for diagrams, Meetings, sharing content and storing all kind of media files too. What else do you like about Windows 7?