Microsoft Windows 7 operating system articles
Aug 13
Microsoft has included a system restore function in Windows since Windows ME as a way of providing protection to the important system files of the operating system. How successful this has been in the past is open to discussion, and many will say it has been less than reliable in versions prior to Vista.
Microsoft …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/windows-7-system-restore-explained/
Aug 13
Microsoft introduced an interesting feature in Windows 7 named Device Stage, or Devices and Printers. Their goal was to create a central interface to manage and interact with all devices attached to the computer.
Back in 2009 Microsoft described Device Stage as:
Think of Device Stage as a home page for your hardware: When you …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/what-is-the-windows-7-device-stage/
Aug 13
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past eighteen months you are probably aware that Microsoft has a hit with their newest Operating System, Windows 7. Windows 7 has been the topic of network news reports, slightly funny commercials, and general internet buzz! Many die hard XP …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/the-complete-guide-to-windows-7-upgrades-and-versions/
Aug 13
In our Create a Windows 7 system image article we created a system image, using the built in Backup and Restore function of Windows 7, to create a backup of your computer that will allow you to completely recover your files, pictures, email, and settings should you experience a computer “disaster”. Seems all well and …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/how-to-completely-restore-a-windows-7-computer-using-a-system-image/
Aug 13
In past articles we’ve covered how to create a Windows 7 system using features built into the OS and how to restore your computer using a system image. We’ve also learned that a system image can be used to restore your computer to the exact state (programs, documents, settings, etc) it was in when the …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/how-to-mount-a-windows-7-system-image-as-a-vhd/
Aug 13
Windows 7 is based on an improved Windows Vista kernel, or core. Basically improved memory management and I/O processing. It isn’t a major change such as between Windows XP and Vista. Think Apple. Well don’t think too much about apple, but it is a good example of each new OS being a refinement of the …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/an-introduction-to-windows-7/
Aug 13
Click the Start Orb to open the Start Menu. Once the Start Menu is open right click on Computer in the right hand pane. This will open a menu. Click on Properties to open the System applet.
The System applet will open. Take a look around as there is useful information, but what we …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/how-to-manage-system-restore-size-and-restore-points-in-windows-7/
Aug 12
Right click an empty place on your desktop and select Personalize from the menu that opens.
In the Personalization window that opens click Change desktop icons to open the Desktop Icon Settings Window.
In the Desktop Icon Settings window uncheck the box adjacent to the icon(s) you no longer with to appear on …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/how-to-add-and-remove-system-icons-from-the-windows-7-desktop/
Aug 12
You can never have enough backups and I’ve always encouraged Daves Computer Tips readers to use Acronis True Image to backup their computer, and I still do. An image is the ultimate backup with the ability to restore your computer to the exact state it was in when the image was created. True Image has …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/how-to-create-a-windows-7-system-image/
Aug 12
You may be asking why you would want the ability to install Windows 7 from a USB flash drive. Here are a few reasons:
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/how-to-create-a-bootable-windows-7-usb-flash-drive/
Aug 12
Microsoft made several changes to the taskbar in Windows 7. The biggest change was the consolidation of the Quick Launch toolbar into actual taskbar. This allows a user to pin frequently used programs right to the taskbar. It also solved one of my biggest peeves – I always started several programs in a particular order …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/add-the-show-desktop-icon-to-the-windows-7-taskbar/
Aug 12
The new superbar (taskbar) in Windows 7 is truly a joy to work with. Having the ability to pin programs to the taskbar and change their order is a big convenience compared to older versions of Windows. In fact, before Windows 7 I was in the habit of opening my email client followed by my …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/add-the-quick-launch-toolbar-to-windows-7/
Aug 12
In previous articles I’ve discussed URLs in depth. Part of that article also explained DNS (Domain Name System) server. The Windows OS has something similar to its’ own DNS server built into the operating system. It’s called a HOSTS file. Every time you type an address into the address bar of a browser Windows looks …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/the-windows-host-file/
Aug 11
Do you know what all of those different keys on your keyboard do? If you’re like most people you don’t have a clue what a good deal of them are capable of.
A lot of folks don’t even notice the Windows key on their keyboard and even if they do notice it, they don’t know …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/standard-windows-keyboard-shortcuts/
Aug 11
Depending on the settings you have set in Windows you may see files with the file extension of “dll” in program directories and the Windows Folder. Others, who have not enabled the “Show hidden files and folders” setting won’t see them, but rest assured they are there! What are they? Why are there so many …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2011/08/what-is-a-dll-file/