There’s a lot more to Windows than most people realize, and there are many ways to make all kinds of tasks much easier. A majority of PC users don’t take advantage of all the features available with the Windows operating system. They learn the basics and never venture further. We’re going to give you some tips in this article that will open your eyes to more of the possibilities you can experience with Windows.
Take the time to learn how to most efficiently use the Windows taskbar for an easier life. The taskbar is what you use when you want to launch a program, and also when you want to switch from one program that’s running to another one. The limiting factor comes into play when you want to run more than one instance of the same program simultaneously. The way things work usually is that if you click again on the icon for a program you are running, it will open the running version again. This
situation can easily be overcome if you depress and hold the SHIFT key and then click on the icon for the program that is already running. This will give you a new copy of the program to open, and you can do this as often as you want.
If you are looking for information on the internet, you most likely open your browser and use one of the search engines to do a search. But Windows 7 has a convenient feature that allows you to conduct searches from your desktop without having to launch a web browser. Using ‘search connectors’ you are able to search sites like YouTube right from your desktop. If you have favorite sites that you do quick searches on from time to time, this feature is very convenient and saves you from having to open your browser first. There are sites online that can show you how to create your own search connectors for sites that don’t already have them for you to download.
Your collection of files has no doubt grown the longer you have owned your PC. Organizing, and knowing where your files are located, can be an intimidating project. Maybe you have already found a system that works for you, and maybe you just don’t know where to start. If your operating system is Windows XP or Windows Vista, you can organize your files in folders called My Documents and My Music, among others. Inside these folders, you can put your files which will show you date last modified, size of file, and what type of file it is, such as .txt. Windows 7 goes a step further and uses what it calls "Libraries." The choices are Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Podcasts and you can add your own. This enables you to create libraries where you can easily view where all of your files are, even if they’re stored remotely. This feature is a convenient, advanced system that helps you organize your files in a manner that works for you.
When you are ready to search for shortcuts to make using Windows more efficient, you will find numerous tips and tricks you can use. You certainly won’t want to learn how to use every shortcut you find. The wisest course is to focus on ways you can make using Windows easier and more convenient for yourself. Take the time to research more Windows shortcuts. These are just the tip of the iceberg.