Making Windows 7 Faster

Most folks find that Windows 7 runs considerably faster than Vista, but with any operating, there are tweaks you can perform and routine tasks you should do to keep your system running as fast as possible. Brand new computers from OEMs are often loaded up with "crapware" that bog everything down, and computers you've been using for a while sometimes accumulate unneeded programs and files that can slow them down. This article offers some tips on how to speed up your Windows 7 computer: http://notebooks.com/2010/10/13/how-to-make-your-windows-7-system-even-faster

Protect against keyloggers

Keyloggers record what you type, but you can use KeyScrambler, a free plug-in for your web browser (IE or Firefox) to encrypt your keystrokes at the level of the keyboard driver. Keyloggers will record the encrypted version of the keystrokes, which will be scrambled and not able to be read. You can read more about it and download it here: http://download.cnet.com/KeyScrambler-Personal/3000-2144_4-10571274.html?tag=mncol;txt

Connectivity and/or performance issues with certain wireless hot spots

If you find that you get poor performance, or the network connection is dropped altogether when you connect to certain wi-fi hot spots with your Vista or Windows 7 computer, this may be because the wireless access point or router does not support 802.11 power save protocol. There are a couple of methods you can use to work around the issue. Find out about them in KB article 928152 at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928152

Troubleshooting Homegroup printing problems

If you've set up a homegroup for networking your Windows 7 computers, and you're having trouble printing to a printer in the homegroup, this page offers some possible causes and troubleshooting tips. For example, did you know that if the printer has a non-USB connection, you'll need to share it using the Devices and Printers applet in Control Panel? Find out more about homegroup printing problems here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Why-cant-I-print-to-a-printer-in-my-homegroup

The sidebar from Windows Vista is gone in Windows 7 - or is it?

Actually, it still runs in the background to display your gadgets. What if you don't use gadgets? Chances are, the sidebar service is still running and using up system resources. You can get rid of it for good if you don't need it. Here's how:

1. Open your registry editor.
2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run
3. In the right pane, right click the Sidebar value and select Delete.

Some function keys or keyboard shortcuts don't work correctly

You might find that some of the function keys and keyboard shortcuts don't work correctly on your Windows 7 computer, in that the computer behaves as if the key or key combination was pressed twice. This is due to a timing issue, and there is a hotfix available to fix it. Find out how to get it in KB article 975741 at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975741

Using the Windows.old folder to recover data

If you upgraded an XP or Vista computer to Windows 7, you probably have a folder on your hard drive called Windows.old. It's a copy of your former Windows installation and can be used to roll back to the older version of Windows. But that's not the only thing it's good for; it can also be used to recover files and settings to be used with the new Windows 7 installation. Find out about using Windows.old to recover documents, music and email in this article over on Notebooks.com: http://notebooks.com/2010/11/09/how-to-recover-documents-music-and-email-after-upgrading-with-the-windows-old-folder/

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool to repair startup problems

If you have problems starting your Windows 7 or Vista computer due to problems with the master boot record, a boot sector or a boot configuration data (BCD) store, you can use the bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot the issue and repair the problem. Find instructions in KB article 927392 at:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

Microsoft Agent-enabled programs don't work in Windows 7

If you've upgraded to Windows 7 and you find that programs that use Microsoft Agent don't work (and may even crash), it's because Microsoft Agent is not included in Windows 7. This can be a problem because such applications as Microsoft Office 2003 and Office XP use Microsoft Agent. Don't worry, though - there is a hotfix that will install Microsoft Agent on your Windows 7 computer. Find out how to get it in KB article 969168 at:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969168

Safer surfing with SmartScreen

The SmartScreen Filter is a feature in Internet Explorer 8 that helps you avoid socially engineered malware phishing websites and online fraud when you browse the web. The SmartScreen Filter checks websites against a dynamically updated list of reported phishing and malware sites, checks software downloads against a dynamically updated list of reported malicious software sites and helps prevent you from visiting phishing websites and other websites that contain malware that can lead to identity theft. Find out more about the SmartScreen filter and how to report phishing web sites here:http://blogs.msdn.com/b/securitytipstalk/archive/2010/10/08/safer-surfing-with-smartscreen.aspx

Turn your Windows 7 computer into a wi-fi hotspot

Want to share your Windows 7 computer's Internet connection with other computers? If it and the other computers have wi-fi adapters, you can do it easily with Connectify. For example, if you pay for a wi-fi connection at the airport, your traveling companion can share that connection without also having to pay (of course, you should check the terms of service to be sure that's not prohibited). Or you can share your wired Ethernet connection on your laptop with iPads, Android tablets, smart phones or other devices that don't have Ethernet ports. Find out more about it here: http://www.connectify.me/index.html

How to get rid of the "This device can perform faster" message

When you plug an older USB device into your Windows 7 computer, you might get a pop-up message that says "This USB device can perform faster if you connect it to a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. For a list of available ports, click here." You probably just ignore the message or close it with the X, but you can prevent it from bugging you every time. Here's how:

1. In the pop-up, click to view the list of available USB 2.0 ports.
2. At the bottom of the dialog box listing the ports, you'll see a checkbox (checked by default) that says "Tell me if my device can perform faster." Uncheck the box.
3. Click Close.

How to turn your Windows 7 laptop into a wi-fi hotspot

Want to share your laptop's Internet connection with other wi-fi devices (for example, your iPad or Galaxy Tab, or friends' laptops)? Windows 7 supports a feature called Virtual Wi-fi (if your wireless adapter driver supports it - so you might need to update the driver to make it work. Some Intel, Broadcom and Realtek adapters support the feature). Here are the steps for setting it up:

1. Click Start and in the search box, type cmd
2. Right click the cmd.exe link and select "Run as Administrator."
3. In the command prompt window, type: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyNet key=MyPassword replacing "MyNet" with the name you want to use for your wireless network and "MyPassword" with a password that will have to be entered on other devices to connect to it.
4. Press Enter.
5. Still at the prompt, type netsh wlan start hostednetwork
6. Press Enter.
7. Click Start | Control Panel.
8. Click Network and Internet | Network Sharing Center.
9. Select "Change Adapter Settings."
10. Right click your Internet connection and click Properties.
11. Click the Sharing tab.
12. Check the box labeled "Allow other network users to connect ...".
13. Select your virtual wi-fi adapter. Now other wi-fi devices should see your network name appear in their lists and they can connect to it by entering the password.

Don't want to go through all that? You can take the lazy way out and use Virtual Router, a "donationware" software program that sets up the network for you. You'll find it here: http://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/

TuneUp360: 90% of SLOW Computers are Affected by Various Hidden Windows Errors

TuneUp360 uses patented technology to auto scan and fix your computer errors with only one click. This kind of software is specially designed for home users and busy people who just want their computer to work without any effort. With just one click, you will get a fast, stable and secure computer. You can simply use it to increase the speed, minimize errors and freezes. Download the free trial and get more information here: http://wugnet.com/affiliates/default.asp?pageid=1655