Windows 7 - The tweak thread

I haven't seen a compiled list of tweaks for Windows 7, so I thought I'd start one.

Here are a few I've found useful:

Run Gadgets with UAC disabled:
1. Open Regedit
2. Browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sidebar\Setting
3. Create new DWORD value: AllowElevatedProcess
4. Set value to: 1
5. Reboot

Remove "Send Feedback" link in all windows:
1. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
2. Set "FeedbackToolEnabled" to "0"
3. Reboot

Get the Quick Launch Bar back
1. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/add-the-quick-launch-bar-to-the-taskbar-in-windows-7/
2. Make sure you lock the taskbar when done or you will loose the bar on reboot!

 

Good idea. I am thinking about installing windows 7 on my z590, these threads are really helpful. I am download it right now and will probably try it out tonight. It will be interesting to see what works and what does not work.

 

Why would anyone want the Quick Launch bar back? I loved it on XP and Vista, but the Superbar in Win7 is so much better.

 

Buh, it's neat and all but right clicking on an window to open a new instance is annoying. Old habits die hard I guess

 

Brilliant tip! Now the Fn volume keys work on my SZ3VP without having to sacrifice sidebar gadgets. Thanks!

 

Middle click achieves the same result faster.

 

I agree 100% and will never understand that

Do you use Firefox? If so, right click right above the address bar. Then drag over a Separator line after the Homepage icon, then drag over the New Tab and New Window Icon. That way, you can easily open a new tab or a new window in firefox

I know it's still not a solution for other stuff, but oh well...

 

Not sure where "faster" comes into play here. One click is one click.
1. One middle-click to open a new IE window without Quick Launch.
2. One left-click to open a new IE window with Quick Launch.

Like I said, old habits die hard. If you don't want to use it, don't. If you want to use it, do. Having a choice is the important thing.

 

My problem with the superbar is that it's impractical for people who use quick launch like I do. I keep 10 or so shortcuts in my quick launch, and that's not practical for the superbar. If you do that you have a couple of shortcuts, an open windows, another couple of shortcuts, another couple of open windows, etc. It just doesn't work.

Greg

 

Back on topic

Another tweak for the Superbar.

Minimize Live Messenger to the System Tray:
1. First close any running instances of Windows Live Messenger and then open Program files-> Windows Live-> Messenger folder
2. Here you can find msnmgsr.exe file. Right click on the file and select properties
3. In the properties window, select compatibility tab. Tick the check box for Run this program in compatibility mode for under “Compatibility Mode”, and then select Windows Vista from the drop down list.
4. Click OK and now sign in back to Windows Live Messenger. Now if you minimize the messenger, it goes to system tray.

Original link

 

You just said something different... you were saying how you have to right click (thus bringing up a menu, and then clicking ie, or firefox etc.) to open a new instance... and I just said that instead of right clicking you can middle click the existing instance and it'll open a brand new one.

I meant faster than the method of right click, menu, and just as fast as quick launch.

 

Most laptops don't have middle mouse buttons. It's sometimes possible to simulate the middle button by clicking the left & right buttons simultaneously, but that's awkward.

 

What troubles me in W7 is:

(i) the fat frames of opened windows: I would reduce them to 1-2 pixels,
(ii) too thick windows decorations: I would reduce them by 4 pixels or more.
(iii) too big square reserved for each icon on the dektop (I would reduce it by 10-20%).

Is there any possibility to change it?

The unability to change the appearence is very troubling especially after Linux (some innovations in W7 seem to have been borrowed from Linux).

 

20 Windows 7 Tweaks & Tips – Every Secret Uncovered to Date
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/fe..._–_every_secret_uncovered_date?page=0,1

Though, those are rather tips than tweaks.

 

I thought Win7 was already pretty light on resources and snappy, so why are tweaks necessary? (pardon my ignorance)

 

(i) Right click on your desktop and go to Personalize. Select Window Color at the bottom. In the Item drop down list select Border Padding and change size to whatever you like.

(ii) I'm not sure what you mean exactly by windows decorations but following the steps above you can change the size of many UI items.

(iii) Right click on your desktop, go to view and select Small Icons. You can also change the spacing between icons by following the steps above.

Hope this helps.

 

I actually love windows 7 over Vista and xp. Its working faster and more efficiently! I would never go back to the quick launch bar, the windows 7 superbar is the future and you all should learn to use it already!

 

Me too! WIndows 7 ftw! Best thing I've ever used

 

Thanks a lot, Shredster00!

I already achieved a part of it by editing registers, but your way is the simplest. I should have clicked around more first.

I also found a beta tool called "Ultimate Windows Tweaker" which does the same, but you have indicated the simplest way.
http://windows7center.com/windows-7...ows-7-settings-with-ultimate-windows-tweaker/
http://www.winvistaclub.com/u.html

So, W7beta scores more points now!