If your computer crashes, it will create a dump file. From this dump file you can diagnose the source of the problem. It is unlikely you will need this file; if you do, you can always turn the option back on. This section will show you how to save space by disabling memory dump files in Windows 7.

1. Click Start and click Control Panel.

2. Type Advanced in the search box.

3. Click on View advanced system settings in the search results.

4. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.

5. In the Write debugging information drop down, click (none) and click OK.

6. You will now save space and not store (possibly) useless information.

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The Windows Disk Cleanup Wizard will delete your temporary files, but only if they are over a week old. To create a simple batch script that will clean up your temporary directories:

Create the Batch File:

Open Notepad and type:

cd C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local rmdir /S /Q Temp

And save the file as cleantemp.bat

Now double click on the file, you created, to remove your temporary files and free up space on your computer. If this doesn’t work and gives an access error, try replacing %username% with your windows login username.

To automate this process:

1.  Right click on the batch file you created and click create shortcut.

2.  Place the shortcut in your startup folder in the start menu (Customize Your Start Menu.)

3.  Now when you log in to Windows 7, your temporary files will be deleted.

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To set your default geographic location:

1. Click the Start button, type loc, and click on Default Location.

2. From this screen, you can set your default location settings.

3.  When you are done, click Apply.

Now you are ready for maximum utilization as more location-aware programs and services are released.

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If Windows 7 goes wrong, you can attempt a repair, at boot up, to see if the problem can be fixed. To do this, you will need to create a system recovery disc; if you have the original Windows 7 disc, it will act as a recovery disc.

The system recovery disc cannot be used to install Windows, but it can be used to fix common problems that prevent Windows from booting. I recommend you make a system recovery disc before playing with Windows’ settings.

To create a system recovery disc:

1.  Click the Start button.

2.  Type Backup.

3.  Click Backup and Restore.

4.  In the left column, click Create a System repair disc.

5.  Select your DVD drive and click Create disc.

6.  Wait for the disc to burn.

7.  Test the disc by rebooting your PC with the disc in the drive. Boot from the    optical drive           (Boot from a CD or DVD) and ensure the disc works by waiting for the main menu to load; if the menu loads, you should be good to go in the event of a computer problem.

8.  Save the recovery disc in a safe place.

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With Parental Controls, you can manage the rules for your children’s computer use. You can set time limits for use and also manage their access to the Web and to computer games.

Set up Parental Controls:

1. Choose Control Panel from the Start menu, and in the User Accounts and Family Safety section, click Set Up Parental Controls.
2. Click the account you want to apply the controls, or if the user does not have one, click Create a New User Account.
3. In the User Controls Window, select the On, Enforce Current Settings option.
4. Specify whether you want Windows Vista to keep a record of computer activity.
5. Click Windows Vista Web Filter to display the Web Restrictions window.

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Upgrading is the easiest option. However, upgrading can take a long time. To upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista.

1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD into your DVD-ROM drive.

2. Click Run setup.exe from the Autoplay menu.

3. Click Install now on the Install Windows screen.

4. Setup will begin by copying files to your computer.

5. You also get Windows updates online before upgrading Windows. This will ensure greater security and compatibility.

6. Accept the license terms and click Next

7. Now click Upgrade and follow the instructions. You may get a compatibility report, which will help you determine what may not work properly after the upgrade.

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Few things can hurt a business more than systems crashing and losing valuable business and customer data. With Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore, you not only can back up your personal documents and files, but also you can back up all of your operating system files and programs—everything on your hard disk drive. In the event of a catastrophic hardware failure, you can use Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore to get your entire computer back to normal in one easy step.

Back up your computer:

1. Select Complete PC Backup and Restore from the Maintenance file under All Programs on the Start menu.
2. Click Back up computer.
3. Select a back-up device (DVDs, external hard disk, etc.).
4. Click Next, and follow the prompts.

Restore your computer:

1. Boot from the Windows Vista Ultimate DVD.
2. Select your language.
3. Select the Repair your computer option.
4. When you get to the Windows Recovery Environment screen, you will select the Complete PC and Restore option and follow the prompts to restore your system.

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According to latest E-Threats Landscape Report , AutoRun feature ranks among the Top 10 Malware Dissemination Methods, being accountable for 5.22% of the total amount of infections worldwide. Part of the current Downadup or Conficker worm pandemic was actually carried away via intermediary variants that exploited this specific feature.

To protect your system and data and to prevent malware infections, there are several ways to
disable the AutoRun/AutoPlay feature.

Disabling AutoRun/AutoPlay using Control Panel
1. Choose Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > AutoPlay.  The AutoPlay window opens.
2. Uncheck Use AutoPlay for all media and devices option.
OR
From the media content drop-down lists, choose Take no action.

3. Click Save.

Disabling AutoRun/AutoPlay using Policy Editor

1. Click Start.
2. In the Search programs and files box, type gpedit.msc.

3.In the left pane hierarchy, browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > AutoPlay Policies.
4. In the AutoPlay Policies right window, from the Settings list choose Turn off Autoplay.

5. Click Edit policy setting. The Turn off Autoplay window opens.
6. From the upper-left list, choose Enabled.

7. From the lower-left drop-down list of Options choose All drives.
8. Click Apply.
9. Click OK.

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The Windows Vista Calendar helps you keep track of appointments or meetings and is a great way to stay on top of what is most important. It is easy to set up appointments, track tasks, and schedule meetings.

Set an appointment:

1. Select the Windows Calendar from the Start menu.
2. Click the day of your appointment.
3. If the calendar does not show the day view, click the View button until the day view is displayed.
4. Click the time of the appointment, and type a label for the appointment.
5. Add any location information.
6. Specify the end of the meeting, or select the all-day event check box.
7. Click Recurrence if you want to set meeting series.
8. Set how far in advance you want to be reminded of the meeting.
9. 9. Add any notes about the meeting.

Track a task:

1. Select the Windows Calendar from the Start menu.
2. Click New Task, and type a label.
3. Set the priority ranking.
4. Set the start and finish dates.
5. Specify when you want to be reminded about the task.
6. Type any notes.
7. When you have completed the task, select its check box.

Schedule a meeting:

1. Create the appointment for the meeting as you normally would.
2. Click Attendees.
3. In the Windows Calendar dialog box, select the attendees and then click To….
4. Click OK when you have finished.
5. Click Invite to create an e-mail that you will send to each attendee, which will include the calendar file as an attachment.

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Windows 7 introduces an easy to use applet that makes burning an .ISO image simple.

Double click the DVD or CD .ISO image and the “Burn Disk Image” applet automatically appears. Burning files is a snap!
a) Place a blank unformatted CD or DVD into your CD/DVD drive.
b) Right click on the .ISO or .IMG file you want to use to burn a disc.
c) Click Burn disc image.
d) Next to Disc burner, click on the drop down arrow and select the CD/DVD drive with the blank disc you want to burn to.
e) Check the Verify disc after burning option if you want Windows to verify the disc image after burning the disc. Note that you should skip verification if you are in a hurry, as this process requires additional time.
f) When it finishes burning the disc image to disc, click the Close button. The DVD (or CD) is now ready to be used without ever having to find, install, and use a third-party tool.

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• December 15, 2009 -- Upgrade To Windows 7 From Windows Vista (0)