HOME
TOPICS
ABOUT ME
MAIL

 
A tip most of you will love: Change your keyboard rate so it types faster.
  technofile
Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

7 more great tips for Windows


Nov. 11, 2001


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2001, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2001, The Post Standard

   Each time I write about my favorite tips and tricks for Windows, I hear from Windows users who tell me they'd like to see more. So here are seven more from my personal collection.
   1. Multiply the trash can: Dragging items to the trash can to delete them is a great idea -- after all, you can always get stuff back out of the trash in case you've made a mistake.
   But sometimes, especially if you're using a high-resolution display, the Recycle Bin seems to be in Toledo, and you end up dragging stuff all over the place just to toss it out. Instead of trying to move the trash can closer, just make a second one. You can put it on the other side of the screen. Right click on the Recycle Bin and choose "Create Shortcut," then drag the new trash can to its own location.
   2. Get the details: In your Explorer windows -- "Explorer" as in the file and folder manager, not "Internet Explorer" -- you can easily switch to Details view to find out more about the files and folders in your computer. It has a hidden bonus, so stick with me.
   Click the "View" menu and choose "Details." As soon as you do that, you'll see column headings appear along the top of the Explorer window. They're labeled "Name," "Size," "Type" and "Modified." (The first three need no explanation, but the last one probably does. It shows the date and time an item was last modified. If the item has never been modified, it shows the date and time an item was created.)
   That's cool. But get this: If you click on any heading, Explorer switches the display so that everything is sorted by the category you clicked on. Click "Name" and Explorer sorts the list by name. Click "Modified" and Explorer sorts by modification (or creation) date.
   As if that's not enough of a truly Neat Thing, you can also tell Explorer to change its sort order just by clicking again on one of the headings. It's easier to do than it is to explain, but here goes: If the list is sorted by name from A to Z, clicking on the "Name" heading reverses the sort order, from Z to A. Try it on all the headings and you'll see what I mean.
   3. Life's a drag: Internet Explorer's "Favorites" are wonderful. Making a "Favorite" out of a Web address is a great idea. But sometimes all you want to do is save a Web address for a few minutes, until you get a chance to look at the site again.
   To create an instant shortcut to a Web page, just click on any link on a Web page and hold the button down. While you're holding the button, drag the mouse off the Web browser window and let go of the button on your desktop. (In other words, drag the link off the browser and drop it on the desktop.) You'll see an icon for that link.
   Later, double click any shortcuts you've saved this way to open the sites. Delete the shortcut icons when you're through to keep your desktop tidy.
   4. Double clicking's for geeks: If you have a hard time getting double clicks to work, you might not realize that Windows lets you adjust the double-click speed of your mouse (in the Control Panel under "Mouse"). But sometimes the easiest way to do a double click is to simulate it. Simply click once on an icon, then press the Enter key.
   5. Vitamin W: Give Windows a boost by forcing it to clear out old stuff from memory. A secret method of doing a fast reboot is all it takes.
   Click the Start button, click "Shut Down," then hold down the Shift key while you click "Restart." Windows should quickly reboot itself without forcing the PC to reboot. (Note: This does not work in some versions of Windows. Try it and see. You won't hurt anything trying.)
   6. Junk mail filter: Set up your e-mail software's rules to divert all mail that's not sent directly to you. Create a folder called "Junk" in your mail folders (not on your hard drive or your desktop) and create a rule that sends all mail that is not addressed to you into that folder. (In other words, if you're listed in the "cc:" field but not the "To:" field, the mail isn't being addressed to you.)
   Try making a rule that is triggered only if your address is in the "cc:" line. Clean out that folder every few days.
   7. Keys to success: I've mentioned this before, but I'll bet most Windows users still don't pay attention to this tip. Change your keyboard rate so it types faster. You'll be elated. Open the Control Panel, double click the "Keyboard" icon and slide both controls all the way to the right.