Short cuts and other tips Vista Tips Discuss Short cuts and other tips in the Windows Vista forums; Vista Parental Controls let u decide how ur children use the PC. U can use Parental Controls to set the time limit that ur kid(s) can use the computer, ...

[felix8406]

Vista Parental Controls let u decide how ur children use the PC. U can use Parental Controls to set the time limit that ur kid(s) can use the computer, the types of games they can play, the internet websites they can visit, and programs they can run.
By setting time limits on ur kid's computer, u prevent them from logging on during certain hours. U can set different log on hours for every day of the week. If they are logged on when their alloted time ends, they will be automatically logged off.
U can also control the games ur kids will be allowed to play. U can control access to games, choose an age rating level, choose the types of content you want to block, and decide whether you want to allow or block specific games.
U can restrict websites ur kids visit, check age rating, indicate whether they'll be allowed to download files, and set up filters to block and allow content. U can even block or allow specific websites. Additionally, u can prevent your kids from running specific applications on their PCs.
And finally, u can setup activity report so you can track what they are doing when using their PCs.
1. To run Parental Controls click Start and type Parental Control on search box.
Note that that u must set a password for accounts with admistrative privilege to prevent others for turning Parental Control off.
2. Create an acount if it has not been created.
3. Turn Parental Controls on.
4. Select whether or not u wanr an activity report.
5. On Windows Setting, select the controls for Internet, time limits, games and programs allow.
Will ur kids be upset about their settings? They might, especially teenagers, but as parents, it's our responsibility to make sure they stay safe while using a computer. Will they be able to hack the controls? When there is a will, there's a way. You should never rely solely on the software...check and know what they are doing. Happy computing!

[felix8406]

When u feel frustrated about a problem with ur PC and can’t think of a solution, ur best bet might be to have a friend, or trusted PC guru, show you how to fix it. U can use Windows Remote Assistance to do just that, it gives u the ability to allow someone to access ur pc and help u solve the problem. Windows Remote Assistance sessions are secured, as they are encrypted and password-protected.
U can invite ur friend to connect to ur PC by sending an invitation through instant messaging or e-mail. Make sure to ask someone whom u can trust because that other person will have access to ur files. Once ur friend is connected, both of u can view ur PC and discuss what u both see.
Ur friend can even use his or her mouse and keyboard to work with u on ur PC and, hopefully, show you how to fix the problem. And don’t forget, u might be able to help someone else using this application as well.
1, Go to Start and type Remote Assistance on Search box. Now click Windows Remote Assistance.
2. On popup window press “Invite someone you trust to help you”.
3. From here just follow the instructions. Happy computimg!

[felix8406]

The majority of us that use WinXP are familiar with My Documents. This is the folder where we stored most of our files. Like My Documents, the new Documents folder is the place we want to use to save our files. The Documents on Vista however has new features to make organizing and searching ur files much easier than its predecessor.
The first you notice is the Address bar located at the top of every folder window displaying ur current location. Next to the Address bar is a Search box. Typing a text in the Search box will filter the display of the current folder to show only the files that match your criteria. The Search box can search for key words, as well as dates and other properties.
Located on the left side of the Documents folder is the Navigation pane. It allows for quick navigation to any folder on ur PC using the link to the most common folders. U can view previously searches and recently changed or saved files.
To the right of the Navigation pane is the File list. It list all the files located in a particular folder. The Preview pane located at the bottom of the folder window shows the quantity of items located in the Documents folder, or in each separate folder. When u click on a file, the Preview pane will show u the properties for that particular file. You can change the properties of ur files by right clicking the file in the Preview pane and then clicking the Edit command.
The Tool bar located just below the address bar provides the means to change the layout of ur folders, change the viewing size for each icon and ability to search and save previous created documents. It also allows u to run a slide show of ur pictures or to burn them to CD.
To open Documents folder, click the Start button, and then Documents. Happy computing!

[felix8406]

The Vista Control Panel is one of the most sophisticated and useful application of Windows Vista. It is the central area that allows u to adjust certain Windows settings, as well as to perform system maintenance, just by typing a word. For example, by typing “music” in the Search box, the Control Panel provides u with music and sound options, such as: a way to select the default program, associate file type, and change auto play settings for music media. Additionally, it displays options to adjust system volume, change sound card settings, change system sounds and manage audio devices.
If u type desktop, it provides u quick access to desktop settings options and more. Type performance and u’ll get the ability to access performance information and tools, system information and power options.
Don’t understand or have questions about something specific? If you need help with performance, for example, click on the link at the bottom, “Search Windows Help and Support for performance”. It’s that simple. Try it…I think you’ll keep going back to it again and again.
To open the control panel click start and type control in the Search box or simply click Control Panel. Happy computing!

[felix8406]

When u turn on ur PC and log on to Windows, the first screen that u get to see is the desktop. Imaging u r in ur office sitting behind ur desk, now look at the top of ur desk, this is ur working area. U can compare Windows Desktop as the top of an actual desk; it serves as a ur working area. As u start using programs, files or folders, they will be placed on ur desktop so u can have work with them. And similar to a regular desktop, u can place things on it, e.g. files, folders, calendars, notes, reminders, etc. U can also arrange ur desktop and have it well organize or have things piled up all over the desktop.
To have quick access to programs, files or folders, u place icons or little pictures on ur desktop. Some people have one or two icons, while others may have a desktop clutter with these little pictures. If someone enters ur office, or room, and u don’t want for them to see ur mess, right click an empty space on ur desktop, click View, and clear the check mark next to Show Desktop Icons. This will temporarily get rid of the icons and ur mess. As soon as everyone is gone, reverse the process.
When u r working with a file, u cannot see ur desktop because it’s blocked by the file. Now u cannot see the icon u need to open a program or folder. To alleviate this u can use the Quick Launch toolbar located at the bottom of ur desktop on the taskbar. By default, the taskbar is visible even when u have a file or program open on ur desktop. By placing an icon on the Quick Launch toolbar, you won’t have to minimize the file u r working on to have access to other files or documents…u just click the icon on the Quick Launch toolbar. U can add items to the Quick Launch toolbar by dragging them with ur mouse, or by doing a right click and selecting Add to Quick Launch.
Another handy tool of ur desktop is the Start menu. U can us the Start menu to open files, folders or programs without searching all over ur desktop. U can even find shortcuts for the file u were working on yesterday by clicking Start and pointing to Recent Items. Or if u just want to see a list of all the programs installed on ur PC, click Start and point to All Programs. Want to prevent a program from disappearing from ur Start menu, click Start, right click the program or application u want to keep (left side of Start menu) and click Pin to Start Menu.
Finally, don’t maintain important files on ur desktop; keep them in Documents folder instead. Windows save all files located on the desktop on ur user profile. Ur user profile r settings that allow ur PC to work the way u want it to look and feel. If ur user profile gets corrupted, removed or changed, (like spilling coffee on ur desk) ur file might get corrupted as well. If u need quick access to a file, keep an icon of that file on ur desktop instead. Happy computing!

[felix8406]

Vista provides many layers of backup and restore protection in a single, integrated Backup and Restore Center. Two of the main applications included are Windows Restore and Windows Backup. Together, these applications provide users protection from hardware failure, user error, or other issues.
Windows Backup.
Using Windows Backup u can back up ur PC settings, files and applications manually or by using automated scheduling. U van back up to CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, external hard disk, to another hard disk on your PC, or to a network PC or server. With automatic scheduling, u can choose when and where u want the back up to take place. U also have a choice of backing up ur systems files and folders or ur entire hard drive.
When backing up ur entire system, Windows Back Up creates a complete image of you hard drive. U can use this backup to restore ur PC contents in the even your hard disk fails. MS recommend creating a new system image backup every six months. Here’s how:
1. Open the Control Panel and click “Backup and Restore Center”.
2. Choose the type of restore u want to create and follow the instructions.

If this ur first backup, I suggest you do a complete PC backup. If u use a lot of programs and have those programs available, installed those programs before backing up ur hard drive. Vista will create an image of the entire PC, which u can later use to restore ur PC in case of a PC failure or if replacing ur hard drive.
Note that if u restore ur PC from a backup image, u won’t be able to choose individual files or folders to restore, and all of ur current files and programs will completely replaced. Also, do not choose a complete back up if u r experiencing problems with ur current settings, if u do, chances are that u’ll have those same problems when u restore ur PC.

3. U should backup ur files in a regular basis, or schedule automatic backups...Follow steps 1 and 2 above. Note that automatic backup will not be available in Windows Vista Starter or Home Basic versions.

If u backup important files in an external hard drive, DVD, or CD, keep them in a secure place to prevent other people from accessing ur files, or better yet, have ur files encrypted. Also, remember that u r currently using a Vista beta...For testing only. If u use this beta to back up ur important files, u might not be able to restore those files when the beta expired. Happy computing!

[Znod]

I'll just add that subsequent whole PC backups are incremental--so they requre minimal additional storage.

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by Znod

I'll just add that subsequent whole PC backups are incremental--so they requre minimal additional storage.

Z. Excellent point.

[felix8406]

For some reason or another, many people don’t take advantage of keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts can save time, allowing u to spend more time finishing ur project. Many people find it difficult to remember shortcuts, but like everything else, u most use them until they become routine. Here r some of the most common and not so common keyboard shortcuts, plus a way to assign ur own shortcut keys to open a program:
1. Control + Alt + Delete:
2. Ctrl + C: Copy selected item
3. Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item
4. Ctrl + V: Paste the selected item
5. Ctrl + Z: Undo last action
6. Shift + Delete: Deletes the selected item without moving it to the recycle bin
7. Ctrl + A: Select all items in a document or window
8. Alt + Spacebar: Open the shortcut menu for the active Window
9. Ctrl + ESC: Open the Start menu
10. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager
11. WinKey: Open or closes the Start Menu
12. WinKey + D: Display your desktop
13. WinKey + M: Minimizes all windows
14. WinKey + E: Open Computer
15. WinKey + R : Opens Run dialog box
16. WinKey + L: Quickly locks ur computer. (Not useful if ur PC is not password protected)

How about creating keyboard shortcuts to open programs. By creating ur own shortcuts, u’ll have a better chance of remembering them. First you must create a shortcut to the program u want to apply a keyboard shortcut to, if not yet created. Also, keep in mind that the keyboard shortcut u r creating, automatically starts with Ctrl + Alt keys.
1. Right click the program, then click Create Shortcut, or use ur mouse right button to drag the item to ur desktop and select Create Shortcut Here.
2. Right-click the shortcut u just created and click Properties.
3. Click the Shortcut tab, then click the Shortcut key box.
4. Using ur keyboard, press key that you want to use for your shortcut
5. Press Apply and OK to close the dialog box

When u click the Shortcut key box, it will display None until u select a key…so press the key u want to use, except for Esc, Enter, Tab, Spacebar, Print Screen, Shift, or Backspace. Also, place the shortcut on ur desktop. Happy computing!

[felix8406]

Did u know u can choose the search provider u would like to use when searching for information on the Internet? By default, IE uses Life Search when u use the search box, located on the right hand side of IE next to the address bar. But u can change or add your favorite search provider, e.g. AOL, Google, Yahoo, etc. Here’s how:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click the down arrow to the right of the search box.
3. Click Find More Providers.
4. Click the provider u would like to add.
5. Click Add Provider in dialog box.
6. If u want the new provider to be the default provider, choose Make this my default search provider, before clicking Add Provider

Using the search box

1. To use the search box, just type a keyword or phrase and then press Enter.
2. If u want ur search to be displayed in a new tab, type the keyword or phrase and press ALT+ENTER.
3. To get to the search box without using ur mouse, press Ctrl+E.

Using the address bar to search

1. Type Find, Go, or ? in the address bar, followed by a keyword, website name, or phrase, and then press ENTER to make a search, e.g. Go vistababble.
2. Or if u want the results to be displayed in a new tab, press ALT+ENTER after typing the phrase.

Here r some tips for searching

1. Be specific. Instead of horses, type black horses.
2. If u r searching for a phrase, e.g. She looked at me in a weird manner, use quotation marks, i.e. “She looked at….”. This will narrow down ur search to web pages that contain the phrase, and not every word on that phrase.
3. Use the minus (-) sign before a keyword to exclude web pages that contain that specific term, e.g. -vista