Windows 7 allows you to personalize your desktop background with a new shuffle feature for your desktop.

You can program your desktop background to shuffle through your favorite images and get a change of scenery as often as you like.

To enable the shuffle feature, right click on your Desktop and select “Personalize,” then “Desktop Background.” Choose the folder where your favorite images or photos are stored and select as many as you like. Make sure you check the “Shuffle” box, and choose how often you’d like your images to shuffle.

Tip #12: Crunch The Numbers

The new Windows 7 calculator is a number cruncher’s dream.

New functionality allows calculations in the following modes:

* Standard
* Scientific
* Programmer
* Statistics

And that’s not all!   Conversion formulas  are available for:

* Temperature
* Weight
* Area
* Time

Templates for gas mileage, lease estimations, and mortgage estimations are available as well!

Tip #13:  Smart Printing

Windows 7 allows for several default printers in several locations with Location Aware Printing.

There is no need to reset your default or remember what the printer name is; Windows 7 will figure out whether you’re at home or at work with Location Aware Printing.

Tip #14:  Shake It Up

Remember the Etch-a-Sketch where you would shake it to make things disappear? Windows 7 uses the same shake concept to help you manage your windows.

Windows 7 Aero Shake allows you to clear the inactive windows from your desktop by “shaking” over the window you’re working. Hover your mouse over the title bar of your active window, left-click and shake from side to side, and all your inactive windows will disappear.

To bring them back, repeat the procedure and shake everything back into view.

Tip #15:  Clean Your Desktop! And Order It Too

You’ve always been able to auto-arrange your desktop icons by right-clicking on the desktop and choosing “Sort By.”

Windows 7 makes it even easier. To auto-arrange the desktop icons according to your default settings, simply press and hold F5.

Order is instantly accomplished.

Provided by Jim Horton - North Star Strategic IT
Your Denver source for IT computer support, network consulting and planning, voice over IP (VoIP) solutions, and so much more. Cisco Partner - VoIP and Unified Communications Microsoft Partner - Small Business Server Specialists Schedule time with one of our highly qualified network technology specialists

Windows 7 Hot Tips Series: 11 through 15

Can’t Say Goodbye

Waiting for your computer to quit already and shut off can be an aggravating waste of time. But the computer isn’t being difficult just to increase your blood pressure-most likely there is an issue with the registry, which is the quantity of programs and files that make up the operating system and installed software. Especially with Windows XP and sometimes with the other Windows operating systems, there is a tendency to reboot when the system detects a defect in the registry, which it may interpret as a Windows failure. Also, any problems or issues with the components of the registry which are individually shut down can slow the procedure and cause prolonged shutdown time. Another possibility is that there may be a hardware incompatibility, since there are some devices which aren’t actually compatible with Microsoft systems. Some PC owners who have NVIDIA Driver Help Service have seen some slow shutdowns due to outdated video drivers.

Error Remedies

Taking care of shutdown errors quickly can help decrease the possibility of further damage down the line. Isolating the cause of the shutdown error can be tricky, but if the problem is in the hardware, the easiest way to tell is to disconnect each device and see if it resolves the issue. For outdated video drivers, simply updating them will cure the slow shutdown. Finding out what is causing a registry error would be a tedious and daunting task, if it weren’t for the abundance of readily available registry scanners on the Internet. These programs can scan your computer files, point out any problems, and offer fixes for these problems.

Not Rocket Science

Computer errors can be irritating, but need to be addressed as soon as possible. One corrupt file can lead to others, especially if slow shutdowns or reboots cause you to pull the plug and interrupt the system. But fixing shutdown errors doesn’t require you to be a rocket scientist either-with some understanding and the simple remedies above, most shutdown errors can be resolved quickly, returning your computer to its usual obedient and smoothly functioning self.

Provided by Jim Horton - North Star Strategic IT
Your Denver source for IT computer support, network consulting and planning, voice over IP (VoIP) solutions, and so much more. Cisco Partner - VoIP and Unified Communications Microsoft Partner - Small Business Server Specialists Schedule time with one of our highly qualified network technology specialists

Remedies for Windows Shutdown Errors