Windows PC Tweaks

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Windows PC Tweaks Tips
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Before starting

• Processor - 500MHz min requirement(1GHz
  recommended)
• RAM - 128MB RAM min requirement (256MB
  recommended)
• Microsoft Windows machine
• (Windows 2000/XP recommended)

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Windows key shortcuts

• - Display or hide the Start menu
• Break - Display the System Properties window.
  
• M - Minimize all windows
• D Show Desktop
• E - Open the My Computer window(windows
  explorer).
• F or F3 - Open the Find Files or Folders
  window
• R - Open the "Run" dialog
• Alt Printscreen - Copies current
  window to clipboard
• CtrlD - Adds the current page to favorite links

4
Invaluable shortcuts

• Bypass the CD-ROM AutoRun feature (Hold down the
  Shift key while you insert the disk.)
• Rename files using F2 key
• Basic font formatting for bold, underline,
  italic Ctrl-B, Ctrl-U, ctrl-I.
• ShiftF3 changes the case

5
Clean-up once a month

• C\Temp
• C\windows\temp, C\windows\tmp
• (c\winnt could be the system directory instead
  of c\windows)
• C\document and Settings\username\temp
• Empty Recycle bin after review
• (if not used in the last one month, it will
  probably be never be used)
• C\windows\prefetch
• Close all applications. Search .tmp in C and
  Delete.

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Internet explorer cleanup
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Internet explorer cleanup (contd)
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Internet explorer cleanup (contd)
Privacy!!
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Internet explorer bugging you?
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Performance tips in XP
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Minimize error notifications!
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Performance tips in XP (contd)
Uncheck for faster performance
Nice for laptops/LCDS
13
Windows explorer friendlier!!
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Startup bar icons
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Watch for startup programs

• Go start -Run- msconfig

• Scan the programs to see if they should run
• Most adwares and spywares may be stopped.

16
Stay protected with critical updates
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Auto-start common utilities
Time Savers

• Internet explorer/Netscape/Opera
• MS-Outlook/Pegasus
• Netscape calendar
• Word/Excel or VS.NET/Frontpage

18
Recycle bin fine tuning
Reduce the percentage for recycle bin if short in
hard drive space
If its in the recycle why confirm? (only for
those who know what they are doing)
19
One click shutdown
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Use your screen to its max
Press F11 to make the most of screen real
estate, typically for presentations
21
Printing tips in IE or MS-Word
Web page title, Page 1 of 6
Web address, 2/19/2004
22
Conserve printing resources
Conserve ink
Conserve paper
Check for Print Drivers!!
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Schedule anti-virus updates
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Schedule anti-virus scans
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Arrange the Start menu programs
By default Windows adds newly installed programs
to the bottom of the start menu
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System information
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MAC Address for Wireless

• Ipconfig /all (win NT/2000/XP)
• Winipcfg (win 9x,ME)

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Run Older windows programs
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Download softwares
Get softwares FREE !!

• Symantec Antivirus
• Star office(substitute for MS-Office)
• Serif PhotoPlus(substitute for costly image
  editors)

Download essential utilities!!

• Winzip
• Netscape/Opera/Mozilla browzers(IE alternative)
• Personal firewalls
• Anti Spywares/Adwares softwares

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Bookmark these sites !!!!!

• http//www.ksu.edu/InfoTech/catpack/
• http//support.oznet.ksu.edu/intranet/apps.htm
• (Oznet userid and password required)

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New home PC buying TIPS

• Processor Intel 3.2A and 3.2E processors
  (Extreme uses more internal cache and smaller
  design techniques)
• RAM DDR-Single and Dual channel- PC3200 at
  400MHz speed
• Hard disk SATA(serial) at 155Mbpsreduces cable
  clutter and ATA at 133/100Mbpswider cables
• 4800/5400/7200/10K RPM tradeoff between
  noise and speed at capacities over 250GB
• AGP Video Card 128MB or higher w/wo processors
  - ATI, Radeon, Saphira
• Windows XP pro for connectivity for
  academic/organizations networks

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Stay informed always

• Buying a desktop/laptop, camera, printer, LCD or
  need smart utilities?
• Checkout the reviews at
• www.pcmag.com
• www.pcworld.com
• www.pctoday.com