Master the Quick Launch bar:

The Quick Launch bar has been around forever, but it's a little more useful in Vista. For starters, it's much easier to add programs to the Quick Launch bar, thanks to the new Add to Quick Launch shortcut menu option (see previous post for more details). First things first, though: Make sure the Quick Launch bar isn't hidden; if you can't see it, right-click any empty space on the taskbar, choose Toolbars, and click Quick Launch. Don't feel like aiming at those tiny icons with the mouse pointer? Use the shortcut keys instead. Each of the first ten shortcuts on the Quick Launch bar has its own custom keyboard shortcut. Press the Windows key plus the number 1 to launch or switch to the first item on the Quick Launch bar. Press Windows key+2 for the second, and so on. For shortcut number 10, use Windows key+0.

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Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer

Make the blinking cursor easier to see:

The blinking cursor that indicates where you can type text is as thin as Kate Moss, which sometimes make for frustrating moments when you can't locate the blinking thing. So make it easier to see: Open Control Panel, type optimize visual display in the Search box, and click the shortcut to see the dialog box shown here. Bumping the size of the cursor from 1 to 2 makes a noticeable difference; going all the way to 11 would really make it impossible to miss.

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Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer

Make Security Center go away:

The Security Center icon in the notification area is a nag. There's just no other word for it. And if you're confident that your security settings are in order, you really don't need the nagging. To make Security Center disappear into the background, open its icon in Control Panel and click Change the way Security Center alerts me in the Tasks pane on the left. In the resulting dialog box, choose Don't notify me and don't display the icon (not recommended).

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Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer

Use the Mobility Center on a notebook:

It's about time notebook users got an easy-to-access control panel for common configuration options. Vista's Mobility Center gives you the ability to quickly enable or disable an external monitor, enable or disable a wireless adapter, check your battery level, and much more. To configure your notebook so Mobility Center is always available, add its shortcut to the Startup group. To open or switch to Mobility Center, use its keyboard shortcut: Windows logo key+X.

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Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer

Adjust taskbar preview size:


Taskbar thumbnail preview in Windows Vista is a great new feature that allows you to quickly see a window without having to fully open it from the taskbar. Instead, you can just hover your mouse over the taskbar item and a small preview window will be displayed.



I have been asked many times if it is possible customize the size of the preview thumbnails. Many have expressed the desire to have larger previews so they can better see the window. Finally, I have found a way.

Using a free utility written by Andreas Verhoeven called Thumbnail Sizer, it is very easy to customize the preview size.



Let’s get started:

1. Visit Ave’s Vista Apps and download a free copy of Thumbnail Sizer.
2. Once you have the software extracted, run AveThumbnailSizer.exe to
get started.
3. Move the sliders to adjust the preview window size.




The changes are instant. Move your mouse over a minimized window to see
the results of your change.

4. Check the box if you want to turn on fade-in animation and adjust the
slider.



5. Once you are happy with your changes, click the Start
AveVistaThumbnailSizer with Windows if you want the utility to
automatically start every time you turn on your computer.
6. Close the Thumbnail Sizer when you are finished.

Now your taskbar previews can be so large that you can easily read text on them!

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Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer

Animate your Start Menu user pic:

In early builds of Windows Vista, testers were shown a new 3D interface powered by the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) that was filled with animations of all sorts. This interface was very cool looking. However, because of delays, Microsoft had to cut the use of WPF in the UI and most of the “WOW” was removed.

Thankfully, there are some very talented developers out there that have made utilities to bring back the excitement of the cut features. The one I am covering in this article, is the animated user picture shown on the Start Menu.


Video: 3D User Pic in Windows Vista

Using a great utility called 3D User Picture, you can easily make your start menu look just like the video above.

1. Visit Ave’s Vista Stuff and download 3D User Picture.
2. Extract the files, run 3duserpic.exe and click on the Start Button to see 3D User Picture in action.
3. If you want to tweak the appearance, edit values.ini.

Sample values.ini:

;values file for ave's 3duserphoto
; author=ave
[info]
author=ave
[frame]
x=0
y=0
width=96
height=96
[photo]
x=16
y=16
width=64
height=64
[position]
override=0
xmargin=0
ymargin=0
[shutdown]
move=0
xmargin=261
ymargin=4
[rendering]
previewIconSize=81
scaleIconsUp=1
scaleIconsDownPretty=1
iconsHaveDropShadow=0
; 0 = jumbo (256x256)
; 1 = extralarge (48x48)
; 2 = large (32x32 or 48 x 48)
systemIconListToUse=0
usePixelCheckToFilterOutSmallIcons=1
doNotScaleSmallIconsUp=0
[animation]
speed=10
zStart=90
xStart=90
zLength=90
xLength=90
zAdd=0
xAdd=15
zStationary=0
xStationary=15
rotationLength=46
rotationSpeed=2
rotationOffset=23

3D User Picture requires a DirectX 9 compatible graphics card. I have experienced issues with explorer.exe crashing on a laptop with a Intel GMA950 graphics chip that is DirectX 9 compatible.

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Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer

Print picture perfect Web content.

Most Web sites are simply not formatted to fit cleanly on a
standard piece of paper. With the new shrink to fit printing
feature found in Internet Explorer 7 Web sites will no
longer get cut off when sent to the printer.

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.....................................
''''''Rajesh''''''
Ants. . . . . . Like me

Hey Mate,

This thread for Windows Vista Tips, Tricks & Tweaks. But you have given some features of IE7. But that is useful.

Thanks Mate.

__________________
Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer

Show Run Command on Start Menu

Hey Guys. Interesting tread, Here the one i found...

1. Right click on your taskbar and select Properties.
2. Click on the Start Menu Tab and then select Customize.
3. Scroll through the list and check the Run Command check box.
4. Hit OK a few times and it is back.

Resize Partitions with Vista Disk Management

1. Click on the Start Button and right click on Computer and select Manage.
2. Expand the Storage section and select Disk Management.
3. Then just right click on any partition and select either Expand or Shrink to
change the size of the partition.

__________________
Prasanna Vignesh
MCPD | Web Developer