Windows 7 Tips & Tricks

There are six versions of Windows 7 as of 2011.

• Windows 7 Starter
• Windows 7 Home Basic
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows 7 Enterprise
• Windows 7 Ultimate

There are also upgrade versions. This document attempts to make a distinction on which version of Windows 7 is applicable. If none is specified then it is assumed the entry applies to all versions of Windows 7.

Enable or Disable "Double Tap" on Synapsis Touchpad

This is the pointing device on most modern notebook computers. Microsoft often fails to provide options for devices or hardware in one common interface. The double tap option is absent from the mouse settings in the windows 7 control panel. To find the option you must locate the "Synaptics Pointing Device" icon in in the task manager (bottom right). Right click and check "Tap to Click. See the illustration on Synapsis Touchpad for double tap.

View Network Adapter Data including IP/MAC Address/Etc

Using the ipconfig command in the DO command shell actually works in Windows 2000,XP,Vista, and 7.

ipconfig /all | more

The getmac command is available starting in XP through to 7. The getmac command displays mac address and list of network protocols associated with each address for all network cards in each computer, either locally or across a network.

getmac

Local Area Connection Properties

In Windows 7 if you want to open the traditional adapter settings do the following:

1. Click the Windows button and type "network and sharing center" in the search box
2. Choose "Network and Sharing Center" in the results to open the (Network and Internet -> Network Sharing Center) dialog
3. On the left there are some text links, click on "Change adapter settings" to open (Network and Internet -> Network Connections)
4. Right-Click on "Local Area Connection" and choose "Properties" to open the traditional "Local Area Connection Properties" dialog.

There is also a shorter method to go directly to the (Network and Internet -> Network Connections) dialog. Click the Windows button and type "Network Connections" then choose "View network connections".

Show/Hide Navigation Pane

Applies to windows vista and all versions of windows 7

1. Open any Explorer window
2. Select Organize -> Layout
3. Uncheck Navigation pane

source: http://www.door2windows.com/how-to-showhide-navigation-pane-in-windows-7vista-explorer/

The Organize option appears with Organize, System Properties, Uninstall or change a program, Map network drive, and Open control panel - all part of a toolbar (or new menu bar) in Vista/7. This toolbar is sometimes called the "Command Bar" or "Folder Band" and sometimes even "Organize Toolbar" the later being more of an end user designation.

Auto-Hide Command Bar (aka Folder Band)

Applies to windows vista and all versions of windows 7

THIS ENTRY IS INCOMPLETE.

It can be set to "auto hide" behavior. edit the "Shellstyle.dll" file which is present in Theme directory

 c:\windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\Shell\NormalColor

WAIT! Requires special 3rd party software to edit the dll file!

CONTINUED RESEARCH: How to open/edit/modify Shellstyle.dll

source: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-make-folder-band-auto-hidden-in-windows-vista/

Utility to make Windows 7 start menu, explorer more like XP

Applies to windows vista and all versions of windows 7

Free and Open Source: Classic Shell

It works and will give you a XP style start menu.

Manage Power Settings in Windows 7

Microsoft now calls it "Power Plan" or "Power Scheme". You have multiple power plans that you can modify, or you can modify all power plans for the system.

• Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> Power Options
• "Change Plan Settings

Show Hidden Files and Folders

1. Click on Windows Explorer which should be bottom left by the Windows button or MSIE button. Do not click MSIE.
2. Click on Organize, then on the Folder and Search Option.
3. In the View tab Check the Show hidden files, folders and drives.