Windows 7

Ticks, tweaks, and hacks to make Windows 7 more usable and improve performance.

Tricks

Make taskbar usable

The new taskbar is great and new, but it's not as easy to use as you might expect. There is no names on the labels/icons. This turns on the application and window names.

1. Right-click tastbar, pick properties
2. Under 'Button grouping' to 'Group when taskbar is full'

Disable folder types

When a folder contains music, video, or pictures, Windows will automatically switch the view of the folder to show relevant meta-data. This can be an annoyance some times.

Create a new text-file and paste the following into it:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
;This registry script has been made by Vishal Gupta - AskVG.com
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]
"FolderType"="NotSpecified"

Run it and the change will happen instantly. If the folder already has a hidden Desktop.ini file, this might not work (delete it first).

SMB network share fix

The default LAN manager setting in Windows 7 is undefined, which means it won't accept LM and NTLM authentication from a Samba server. Regular password protected shares won't work as expected.

1. Open Administrative Tools, select Local Security Policy
2. Pick Local Policies and Security Options from the menu on the left
3. Find 'Network security: LAN Manager authentication level' and open it
4. Change the level to 'Send LM & NTLM responses'

The change should happen immediately.

• Windows 7 and Samba Issue

Small desktop icons

The default icon size on the desktop is very, maybe outrageously, large.

1. Right-click the desktop
2. Select View and Small icons

Essential tools

These are useful tool to add after a new OS installation.

• WinRAR
• Microsoft Office pluss language pack
• Real Alternative
• Quicktime Alternative
• K-Lite Codec Pack
• Adobe Acrobat or FoxIt Reader
• Skype
• Picasa
• Adobe Flash Player

Use Betanews to find all the necessary programs, direct links to downloads.